Danish Kringle Recipe

Danish Kringle is a buttery pastry filled with cream cheese, sweet jam, and crunchy nuts, baked until golden and finished with a sweet glaze.

This traditional dessert is ideal for brunch, special occasions, or as a tasty treat with coffee or tea.

Ingredients

Dough

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks)
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 packet dry active yeast
• 4 tbsp beaten eggs, separated in half
• 1 cup whole milk, warm

Filling

• 1 (8 oz) packet cream cheese
• ⅓ cup sugar
• ½ tbsp vanilla
• 1 cup jam of choice (cherry, apple, raspberry, etc.)
• 1 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped

Glaze

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tbsp hot water
• 1 tsp vanilla

Recipe Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour, butter, sugar, and salt. Blend with a pastry blender or your hands until crumbly. Set aside.
2. In a separate bowl, mix dry yeast, half the beaten eggs (2 tbsp), and warm milk. Pour the milk mixture into the flour mixture and blend well using a fork until dough forms. Knead lightly by hand, divide dough into two discs, wrap each in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for 1–2 days.
3. Preheat oven to 350℉. In a bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
4. Roll out one dough disc into a long rectangle about ⅛-inch thick. Spread half of the cream cheese filling lengthwise down the center. Layer half of the jam over the cream cheese and sprinkle with half the chopped nuts. Fold one side lengthwise over the filling, then fold the other side over to enclose. Brush the top with the remaining beaten eggs (2 tbsp). Repeat this process with the second dough disc.
5. Bake kringles for 20–25 minutes, rotating the pans halfway through baking to ensure even cooking. Transfer kringles from baking sheets to cooling racks and let them cool for about 10 minutes.
6. Prepare glaze by whisking powdered sugar, hot water, and vanilla until smooth. Drizzle glaze generously over cooled kringles.

Storage Instructions

• Room Temperature: Store kringles in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
• Refrigeration: For extended freshness, refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Allow the kringle to reach room temperature or gently reheat before serving.
• Freezing: To store longer, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.