If there’s one pastry that’s iconic to Wisconsin, it’s kringle.
In fact, back in 2013 Wisconsin’s lawmakers declared it the state’s official pastry. These oval-shaped, fruit- or nut-filled pastries with a sugar-y glaze and thin layers of flaky, buttery dough can be found at family-owned bakeries around the state, mostly in Racine.
While their origin dates back to Denmark during the 13th Century, Danish immigrants brought kringle recipes to Racine beginning in the mid-1800s. These bakeries continue to use the same recipes to honor their ancestors, earning the city a title of “kringle capital of the world.” Kringle has been made for decades at several bakeries here, including Bendtsen’s Bakery, Larsen Bakery, Lehman’s Bakery, O&H Danish Bakery and Racine Danish Bakery. You can either drop in and buy kringle on site or order them online, to be shipped directly to your home. When translated, “kringle” means “ring,” which is exactly what the pastry looks like when you slip it out of the bag…