Kringle Recipe

Although this recipe does not require the tedious process of rolling out layers of butter and dough, as is done in the Racine Kringle bakeries, the result is similar and very, very good (in fact fantastic).

Recipe Type: Yeast Bread, Cake

Cuisine: Danish

Yields: 2 Kringles

Prep time: 1 hr

Cook time: 20 min

Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast

1/4 cup warm water (110 degree F. to 115 degree F.)

1/2 cup cold butter

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon granulated sugar

1/2 cup warm milk (110 deg. to 115 deg.)

1 egg beaten

Nut Filling (recipe follows)

Glaze (recipe follows)

2 tablespoons chopped pecans or walnuts

Preparation:

In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water.

Using a pastry blender or two knives, in a large bowl, cut butter into flour and salt until particles are the size of small peas. Add yeast mixture, sugar, warm milk, and egg; beat until smooth (dough will be very soft). Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours but not more than 24 hours.

When ready to use, remove from refrigerator. Punch dough down and divide in half; return other half to refrigerator. On a well-floured board, working quickly before dough softens, roll into a 15 x 10-inch rectangle, approximately 1/4 to 1/2-inch thick (if dough gets too warm from handling, return to refrigerator).

Spread half of the prepared Nut Filling down the center of the rolled-out dough rectangle in a 2-inch strip. fold sides of dough over filling, overlapping 1 1/2 inches; pinch edges to seal.

Oval Shape: Form roll into a circle and pinch ends together. Place seam side down on a large greased baking sheet. Repeat same process with remaining dough and filling. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until double in size.

Pretzel Shape: Lift the filled roll from both ends firmly and center the middle of the roll onto the baking sheet as if you were forming a circle. Pull the ends of the roll so that they make a cross above the roll, then pull the ends down and tuck the ends under the top part of the roll so that the ends stick out from under the roll.

Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place approximately 30 minutes or until double in size.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

After the dough has risen, bake approximately 20 minutes until golden brown or when the internal temperature registers approximately 205 to 209 degrees F. on your cooking thermometer.

Remove from oven and let cool for 15 minutes.

Spread prepared Glaze over the warm Kringle. Sprinkle with chopped pecans or walnuts. Serve Kringles warm or at room temperature.

To re-warm, preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Slide a whole, uncut Kringle onto a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cover loosely with a large piece of aluminum foil and heat for 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and remove aluminum foil before slicing.

Makes 2 Kringles (each serves 10 to 12).

Nut Filling:

1 1/2 cups finely-chopped pecans or walnuts

1 cup firmly-packed brown sugar

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

In a large bowl, combine pecans or walnuts, brown sugar, and butter.

Glaze:

1 cup powdered (confectioners) sugar

4 to 5 teaspoons water

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

In a medium bowl, combine powdered sugar, water, and vanilla.