Wisconsin Kringle Recipe

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour 2 ½ cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
• ½ cup (120ml) cold water ½ cup (120ml) cold water
• For the filling: For the filling:
• Choose one of the following options: Choose one of the following options:
• Apple filling: Apple filling:
• 2 cups (280g) peeled and diced apples 2 cups (280g) peeled and diced apples
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Cherry filling: Cherry filling:
• 2 cups (280g) pitted cherries 2 cups (280g) pitted cherries
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 tablespoon cornstarch 1 tablespoon cornstarch
• Cheese filling: Cheese filling:
• 1 ½ cups (170g) cream cheese, softened 1 ½ cups (170g) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Chocolate filling: Chocolate filling:
• 1 cup (180g) chocolate chips 1 cup (180g) chocolate chips
• ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream ½ cup (120ml) heavy cream
• Almond filling: Almond filling:
• 1 ½ cups (170g) almond paste 1 ½ cups (170g) almond paste
• ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract 1 teaspoon almond extract
• For the glaze: For the glaze:
• 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): Varies depending on the chosen filling
• Fat (total, saturated): Varies depending on the chosen filling
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): Varies depending on the chosen filling
• Protein: Varies depending on the chosen filling
• Fiber: Varies depending on the chosen filling
• Salt: Varies depending on the chosen filling

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt for the dough. Add the cold cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
2. 2.
   Gradually add the cold water to the dough mixture, mixing until the dough comes together. Shape the dough into a ball, cover it with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
3. 3.
   Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. 4.
   Prepare the desired filling by following one of the options below:
5. 5.
   - Apple filling: In a bowl, combine the diced apples, granulated sugar, and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
6. 6.
   - Cherry filling: In a bowl, combine the pitted cherries, granulated sugar, and cornstarch. Mix well.
7. 7.
   - Cheese filling: In a bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
8. 8.
   - Chocolate filling: In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips and heavy cream in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.
9. 9.
   - Almond filling: In a bowl, mix the almond paste, granulated sugar, and almond extract until well combined.
10. 10.
    On a lightly floured surface, roll out the chilled dough into a rectangle about 12x16 inches (30x40cm).
11. 11.
    Spread the desired filling evenly over the dough, leaving a border around the edges.
12. 12.
    Starting from one of the longer sides, carefully roll the dough into a log, enclosing the filling.
13. 13.
    Gently transfer the rolled dough onto the prepared baking sheet and shape it into a ring, connecting the ends.
14. 14.
    Bake the Kringle for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown.
15. 15.
    While the Kringle is baking, prepare the glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
16. 16.
    Once the Kringle is done baking, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Drizzle the glaze over the warm Kringle.
17. 17.
    Slice and serve the Wisconsin Kringle warm or at room temperature.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Almond paste — Make sure to use high-quality almond paste for the best flavor and texture.
• Cream cheese — Soften the cream cheese at room temperature before mixing it with the other ingredients for the cheese filling.
• Chocolate chips — Use your favorite type of chocolate chips for the chocolate filling, such as semi-sweet or dark chocolate.
• Apples — Choose firm and tart apples, such as Granny Smith or Honeycrisp, for the apple filling.
• Cherries — If using fresh cherries, make sure to pit them before adding them to the filling.

Tips & Tricks

• For a flakier crust, make sure the butter is cold and work quickly when incorporating it into the dough.
• Experiment with different fillings to find your favorite flavor combination.
• If the dough becomes too soft while rolling, refrigerate it for a few minutes to firm it up.
• To achieve a beautiful braided shape, make diagonal cuts along the sides of the rolled dough and fold the strips over the filling in a crisscross pattern.
• Serve the Wisconsin Kringle warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra indulgent treat.

Serving advice

Serve the Wisconsin Kringle as a centerpiece dessert for brunch or as a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea. It can be enjoyed warm or at room temperature.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, drizzle the glaze over the Kringle in a decorative pattern. Sprinkle some powdered sugar on top for an elegant touch. Serve the Kringle on a platter or cake stand to showcase its beautiful braided shape.