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Gipfeli Recipe

Golden Swiss gipfeli pastry on white plate – gipfeli recipe

Easy, step-by-step guide to making traditional Swiss Gipfeli—flaky, golden crescent rolls made with layered butter dough.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons (7 grams) active dry yeast
  • 1 1/3 cups (315 milliliters) lukewarm milk 105-115˚F, 40-46˚C
  • 4 cups (500 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 3 tablespoons (38 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 large egg

For Assembly:

  • 1 cup (226 grams) unsalted butter chilled
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) milk

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: Stir yeast into lukewarm milk. Let sit 10 mins until foamy.
  2. Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix flour, sugar, and salt. Add yeast-milk mix and egg. Stir until a soft dough forms. Adjust with more milk or flour if needed.
  3. Knead and Rise: Knead on a floured surface until smooth. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1.5 hours.
  4. Prepare Butter Block: Slice butter and arrange into an 8×8″ square between parchment. Pound and roll into a 9×9″ square. Chill 10 minutes.
  5. Roll Dough and Add Butter: Roll dough to 18×10″. Place butter over half. Fold dough to cover. Seal edges, wrap, and chill 30 minutes.
  6. Laminate Dough: Roll to 16×10″. Fold into thirds. Chill 30 mins. Repeat rolling and folding 2 more times, chilling between each.
  7. Shape the Gipfeli: Cut dough in half. Roll one half to 18×6″. Cut into triangles with 5″ bases. Make a 1″ slit in each base. Roll up and curve ends.
  8. Proof: Place shaped Gipfeli on lined trays, 2″ apart. Cover and let rise for 1 hour until puffy.
  9. Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Brush pastries with egg wash. Bake 5 mins, then lower to 375°F (190°C) and bake 10–12 mins more until golden.
  10. Serve: Enjoy warm with butter or jam. Best eaten fresh within a few hours.

Notes

Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods

Nutrition

Keywords: gipfeli recipe, swiss croissant, laminated dough, brunch