Simple Gipfeli Recipe

I made this Gipfeli recipe just this morning. At first glance, it may look like a French croissant, and I agree; the ingredients used are very similar.

I got the idea from my husband. He knows a lot about European foods and cuisines. I was planning to make our favorite Chicken Salad Croissant. I usually make this meal based on regular croissants and fill them with salad, but this time he suggested I make Gipfeli and use it instead. He explained to me how Gipfeli is different from regular croissants, but I was still unsure. So, I did a little research and found out that Gipfeli is the Swiss version of the croissant. It has the same crispy crust but is less buttery.

So, I made it using classic ingredients like any croissant: flour, sugar, salt, yeast, warm milk, cold butter, and an egg for brushing. These ingredients, with the right directions, create a buttery, flaky pastry that is so delicious and can be creamy too if you fill it with a curd or jam of your choice. But like I said, I made it especially to fill it with salad.

So, if you love pastries that are crispy and sweet, and that can be a great choice for breakfast or filled with your favorite filling, then I think this recipe is worth trying. It’s a bit different but worth the effort, just to note, it needs some patience and skills as well.

What is Gipfeli?

You can call it the Swiss croissant, Gipfeli are delicious pastries that look a bit like croissants but with a little different style. Made from a mix of flour, sugar, salt, yeast, warm milk, cold butter, and an egg. The taste is slightly sweet, with that crispy and soft texture which makes it perfect for breakfast or as a snack. Also, Gipfeli can be enjoyed on their own or filled with tasty jam, curd, or even chicken salad like I did. So why not make Gipfeli at home and bring a bit of Swiss-style cooking into your kitchen

Ingredients

• 500g all-purpose flour
• 250ml milk, warm
• 50g sugar
• 1 packet active dry yeast (about 7g)
• 1 tsp salt
• 250g unsalted butter, cold and cut into small pieces
• 1 egg, beaten

How to Make Gipfeli?

Step 1:

In a small bowl, put the yeast into warm milk. Stir it a little and let it sit for about 5 minutes.

Step 2:

In a big mixing bowl, put the flour, sugar, and salt. Mix them. Make a little hole in the middle by pushing the flour to the sides.

Step 3:

Pour the frothy yeast and milk mixture into the hole. Mix everything together until it becomes dough.

Step 4:

Put the dough on a table with some flour. Knead it for about 10 minutes until it feels smooth in your hand.

Step 5:

Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it sit in a warm place for about 1 hour until it gets bigger about twice the size.

Step 6:

After the dough has risen, put it on a table with some flour and roll it out into a big rectangle.

Step 7:

Place small pieces of cold butter evenly over one-half of the dough. Fold the other half over the butter and press the edges to seal.

Step 8:

Roll out the folded dough into a big rectangle again. Fold it into thirds like a letter. Do this rolling and folding two more times.

Step 9:

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for about 1 hour.

Step 10:

After chilling, roll out the dough into a big rectangle and cut it into triangles.

Step 11:

Roll each triangle from the base to the tip to make a crescent shape. Put them on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 12:

Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rise for another 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Brush the Gipfeli with beaten egg using a pastry brush.

Step 13:

Bake in the oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and puffed, Fill your Gipfeli with some filling of your choice, I fill mine with yuzu curd and a strawberry jam, Enjoy.

Kitchen Equipment Needed

• Mixing bowls
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Rolling pin
• Baking sheet
• Parchment paper
• Pastry brush
• Plastic wrap
• Damp cloth

Helpful Tips!

• Keep the butter in the fridge until you need it. Cold butter will make your Gipfeli flaky.
• Remember that The milk should be warm, not hot, of course, so the yeast can wake up.
• Always Put flour on the table before kneading so the dough doesn’t stick.
• When rolling out the dough, do it gently so it stays nice and even.
• Try to Roll the triangles from the wide end to the pointy end to make a crescent shape.

What to Serve with Gipfeli?

This is a crispy pastry that can be paired it lots of other meals and drinks, Try having it with a glass of milk or fresh orange juice for breakfast. You can also enjoy them with a bowl of fruit if you want. The classic way is to have it with a little bit of jam or honey spread on it. If you like, you can add some scrambled eggs or a slice of cheese for a traditional European breakfast. for drinks, Any smoothie can be good with it, especially fruit smoothies, and of course hot drinks like coffee and beyond.

FAQ

Do I have to use an egg wash?

You can use it only if you want to give your Gipfeli a shiny, golden finish, but it’s not necessary.

Can I make the dough ahead of time?

Yes, you can make it at night before and let it rise in the refrigerator overnight.

What if I don’t have a rolling pin?

You can use a clean bottle instead.

Can I add flavors to the dough?

Yes, you can add vanilla extract or any flavor you want.

How can I make my Gipfeli extra flaky?

Ensure your butter is very cold and handle the dough as little as possible to keep it from warming up.

Can I make Gipfeli without yeast?

Yeast is essential for the dough to rise and get that light texture.

What can I use instead of parchment paper?

You can use a silicone baking mat.

Conclusion

This is a nice Gipfeli recipe, if you prefer to make this kind of pastry, Not that easy to make at home, Yes it’s requires just a few ingredients, but you need some patience as well. Try making it today and share it with others! If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to subscribe to my blog for more tasty croissant recipes.