Flaky Danish pastry with spiced apples.
This Wisconsin Apple Kringle is a buttery, flaky Danish pastry that’s famous in Racine, Wisconsin—often called the kringle capital of the U.S. With delicate layers of dough wrapped around a warmly spiced apple filling, it’s the perfect treat for holidays, brunch, or cozy weekends. The best part? While it looks impressive, this homemade version is surprisingly doable, even for beginners. If you love bakery-style desserts with a comforting cinnamon-apple twist, this kringle delivers big flavor with minimal fuss.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Chill Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: ~2 hours
- Servings: 8–10 slices
📝 Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cold unsalted butter (cubed)
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
Apple Filling
- 2 cups peeled, diced apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
- ⅓ cup brown sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- ½ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp butter
Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Mixing bowls
- Rolling pin
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Knife & cutting board
- Saucepan
- Pastry brush (optional)
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the dough
In a bowl, combine flour and salt. Cut in cold butter until crumbly. Mix in sour cream and sugar until dough forms. Wrap and chill for 1 hour ❄️ - Prepare the apple filling
In a saucepan, cook apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice, butter, and cornstarch over medium heat. Stir until thickened and soft (about 5–7 minutes). Let cool 🍏 - Roll the dough
Divide dough in half. Roll each portion into a long rectangle (about 10×14 inches). - Add filling
Spread apple filling down the center of each rectangle. - Shape the kringle
Fold sides over filling, sealing like a log. Shape into an oval or ring on a lined baking sheet. - Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until golden brown 🔥 - Glaze & finish
Let cool slightly, then drizzle glaze over the top. Slice and serve!
💡 Pro Tips
- Keep butter cold: This creates those flaky pastry layers.
- Don’t overfill: Too much filling can cause leaks while baking.
- Make ahead: Dough can be refrigerated overnight.
- Freeze option: Bake, cool, then freeze for up to 1 month.
🔄 Variations
- Almond kringle: Add almond paste instead of apples.
- Cherry version: Swap apples for cherry pie filling.
- Cream cheese twist: Add a thin layer of sweetened cream cheese under apples.
❓ FAQ
What makes kringle different from other pastries?
It’s a Danish-style laminated dough, similar to croissants but shaped into a ring and filled.
Do I need to laminate the dough multiple times?
This simplified version skips traditional lamination but still gives a flaky texture.
Can I use store-bought dough?
Yes—puff pastry works as a quick substitute, though flavor will differ slightly.