In Denmark, a kringle is any pretzel-shaped pastry, sweet or savory. In Racine, Wisconsin, it is a broad oval of the flaky dough known as wienerbrod that is filled with fruit preserves, cheese, or nuts; baked; then iced with buttercream frosting or a clear sugar glaze. Large enough to feed six or eight coffee drinkers, it is served warm by the slice and, being a specialty of Wisconsin, with soft butter that is easy to spread for even further enrichment.
Bakeries in Racine, Wisconsin, will ship kringle, but kringle aficionados know that they are best when they are that-morning fresh.
Kringles were brought to America by Danish settlers over a century ago, and while Racine is their best-known home, with at least three different bakeries that make them (and ship by mail), they also are found in Danish communities in Iowa, Illinois, California, and Washington state. Classic fillings include almond, pecan, and raspberry; in addition to these, Racine bakeries offer almond-macaroon, chocolate, date, apricot, apple, and a turtle kringle that is iced with chocolate and filled with rum-flavored caramel.