Gipfeli Recipe – A Complete Guide

If you like flaky pastries, you may have heard about croissants. Have you ever heard about Gipfeli? This is the Swiss cousin of croissants, but it tastes slightly different. With a slightly denser texture and a mild buttery flavor, it is the key part of breakfast in Switzerland and is often used with coffee or Tea. Here, we will guide you in making the perfect Gipfeli recipe at home. From basic ingredients to baking, this guidance will help you prepare the flavorful pastry in your kitchen. Be ready, and let's get started.

What is Gipfeli?

Before moving into the preparation process, let's briefly introduce it. Even though it seems like croissants, its making method and flavor are different. Croissants tend to be fluffier and buttery, while Gipfeli recipe is a denser bite with a more subtle butteriness. Some Gepfeli uses yeast dough, which makes a bread-like texture. In Switzerland, it is used for breakfast or as an everyday snack. You can use it with jam, honey, or other sweet spreads, as well as cheese and meats, for a savory option. Whatever you like, salty or sweet, Gipfeli is perfect for each taste.

Ingredients:

To make a traditional Swiss Gipfeli recipe at home, you will need some basic ingredients, some of which might already be in your kitchen.

• 4 cups all-purpose flour (500 grams): The base of your dough.
• 1 cup milk (250 ml ): Gives the dough its rich texture.
• 7 tablespoons unsalted butter (100 grams): Adds a subtle buttery flavor.
• 2 tablespoons fresh yeast (or 7 grams instant dry yeast): It helps the dough rise and gives it that soft interior.
• 1/4 cup sugar (50 grams): Adds a touch of sweetness.
• 1 teaspoon salt: Balances the flavours.
• 1 large egg: Used for the dough and the egg wash.
• Optional fillings: Cheese, ham, or chocolate if you want to add something extra.

Steps For Preparing Gipfeli Recipe:

Step 1:
Prepare the Dough:

First, slightly warm the milk (it should be a little warm), dissolve the yeast, and leave it for 5 minutes to produce foam; this activates the yeast, which will help your Gipfeli dough rise.
Mix flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add yeast and mixed milk and knead well to become soft and elastic. Knead it until the dough stops sticking to your hands; you will understand that it is ready now.
Now add small pieces of butter and knead the flour once again until the butter is incorporated well into the dough. Once these things are mixed well, cover the bowl with a wet cloth and keep it for 1 or 1.5 hours until it doubles.

Step 2:
Shape the Gipfeli:

When the dough is risen, divide it into two equal parts. Make a circle of every part approximately 1/4 inch thick. Cut these circles with a knife or pizza cutter into eight triangular shapes like you cut pizza.
Start rolling each triangular shape from the big to the small side, forming a crescent shape to fill it with chocolate or cheese. Place these things in small amounts before rolling them to the wide part. To close the filling inside, pinch the edges slowly.
Now that your Gpfeli are ready, Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Leave a little space between each Gpfeli to prevent them from spreading during baking.

Step 3:
Let the Gipfeli Rest:
Cover the baking sheet with a clean cloth and let the Gipfeli rest for 30 minutes; this gives the dough time to rise further.
During this time, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).

Step 4:
Apply the Egg Wash:
In a small bowl, whisk the egg with one spoon of water to make an egg wash. Apply the wash to each Gipfeli to get a golden color during baking.

Step 5:
Bake the Gipfeli: Place the baking sheet in a heated oven and bake the Gipfeli for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. At the end of baking, keep an eye on it to prevent it from too dark.
Once ready, remove them from the oven and let them cool a little.

Tips For Perfect Gipfeli Recipe:

Use cool butter: Cool butter brings a flaky texture to the dough; therefore, don't overwarm the butter.
Avoid overfilling: If you are filling, don't fill it with a large amount; otherwise, it can spill during baking.
Egg washing is important: It makes the Gipfeli golden brown crispy, so don't forget.

How to serve:
If you have an extra Gipfeli or wish to save some for the next time, you can do it. You can save it in an airtight container for two days. To reheat it again, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F) and reheat it for 5 minutes to restore its crispiness.
You can also keep it in the freezer before baking. After making the dough, freeze it, and whenever you desire to cook it, place it at room temperature for 30 minutes and then bake it.

Conclusion:

It might be challenging to prepare Gipfeli at home, but following the right steps and a little hard work will enable you to make this mouthwatering recipe in less time. You can enjoy it whether you take it simple, sweet, salty, or with Tea or coffee.