National Breads

Breads that you’ll find throughout Switzerland.

1. Zopf

Switzerland’s National Bread for Sundays

Zopf (DE)
Tresse (FR)
Treccia (IT)

Made with a two-strand braid, this popular Swiss bread contains Zopfmehl (DE) // Farine pour tresse (FR) // Farina pour treccia (IT). This special Swiss flour is comprised of a mixture of wheat flour and about 10-15 percent spelt flour.

2. Bauernbrot

Bauernbrot (DE), also known as Burebrot or Buurebrot
Pain Paysan (FR)
Pane Paesano (IT) or Pane del Nonno

Combining wheat and rye flours, Bauernbrot also has another special ingredient… Milk! This bread was created in the 1950s as a way to help use up a milk surplus in Switzerland. You can find this popular bread throughout Switzerland, at bakeries and supermarkets across the country.

3. Weggli

Weggli (DE)
Petit Pain au Lait (FR)
Panini al Latte (IT)

Region: One of Switzerland’s national breads

These popular little milk breads have a crease down their middle. Children like to use them for making chocolate-bar sandwiches.

4. 1.-August-Weggen

1.-August-Weggen (DE)
Petit Pain du 1er Août (FR)
Panini del 1 Agosto (IT)

These breads can vary in size from little buns to large round loaves. As their name implies, 1.-August-Weggen are made for Swiss National Day on August 1st. Their special feature is that the cross of the Swiss flag has been carved into their surface before baking.

5. Silserli

Silserli (DE)
Petit Pain de Sils (FR)
Panini di Sils (IT)

Pretzel buns are not unique to Switzerland. However, the unique Swiss name of Silserli has a connection to the village of Sils, located in the canton of Graubünden.

6. Dreikönigskuchen

Dreikönigskuchen (DE)
Couronne des Rois (FR)
Corona dei re Magi (IT)

Switzerland has an annual tradition of making a special brioche-style cake for Three Kings’ Day on January 6. You will find a lucky charm hidden inside the cake. Whoever finds it becomes the “king” or “queen” for the day.