Everything you need to know about Racine Danish Kringles

Here’s everything you need to know about Racine Danish Kringles: the flavors, unique baking process, and where to buy this iconic Wisconsin pastry.

Kringle is one of those things that tastes different to each person who eats it. I’m not talking about the flavor—I think most can agree that the buttery, flaky pastry is sugary and sweet in all the best ways. I’m talking about the more hidden tastes.

For me, biting into a Kringle takes me back to Saturday morning cartoons and cozy snow days. It tastes like potlucks and Easter Sunday brunch. At least that’s what came to mind when I recently indulged in a raspberry Racine Danish Kringle, an experience that quickly devolved from just a quick taste for a story into a solo mission to consume the entire thing in a single day.

While the taste is personal, the history and creation of this iconic pastry is a shared source of Wisconsin pride right up there with beer and cheese. But how did a medieval Scandinavian pastry end up becoming such a beloved staple here?

There is a rich story behind the Kringle that’s worth exploring, particularly the famed version produced by Racine Danish Kringles.

Here is everything you need to know about how this European treat became a Wisconsin favorite, and the details behind this nationally recognized company.

What is a Kringle, and why is it a Wisconsin favorite?

So what exactly is a Kringle? Well, it’s a type of sweet Danish pastry consisting of more than 30 layers of flaky, buttery dough, enclosing a filling, and finished with toppings. It’s usually shaped as an oval or in the more traditional pretzel shape.

The Kringle can trace its roots all the way back to 13th-century Denmark, but it truly became a staple in Wisconsin during the late 1800s when cities like Racine welcomed large numbers of Danish and Scandinavian immigrants.

Throughout the 1900s, the Kringle began to evolve into the form most Wisconsinites recognize today. It became decidedly sweeter with additions like icing and adopted a distinctive ring shape rather than the pretzel, for a more even distribution of filling.

In 2013, the Kringle became the Official State Pastry of Wisconsin, cementing its status as a state favorite alongside beer, cheese, and brats.

What are Racine Danish Kringles?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that several bakeries in Racine produce Kringles; the city is the self-proclaimed Kringle Capital of the World, after all. However, perhaps no bakery has become quite so famous nationwide as Racine Danish Kringles (RDK).

The company was founded in the 1980s and is known for being one of the largest, if not the largest, wholesale retailers of Kringles in the country. Every year, RDK bakes and ships hundreds of thousands of pastries, with the Christmas holiday being an especially busy time. Some sources say the company makes about 10,000 to 12,000 Kringles a day during the holidays. The family-owned business has also been featured in popular publications like Food Network Magazine, further establishing it as a household name.

How are its Kringles made?

The heart and soul of a Racine Danish Kringle is the dough, which is hand-folded by bakers to create the bakery’s signature 81 layers. The dough then rests for three days, during which the delicate texture begins to take shape. Once the dough is ready, it is filled and hand-shaped into an oval ring. It is then baked until golden brown and finished with icing.

What flavors does it come in?

While originally most Kringle was almond-flavored, today it comes in several other flavor varieties. Racine Danish Kringle typically sells at least 25 different flavors at a time. Best sellers include pecan, raspberry, cherry, apple cinnamon, and the original almond. There are also different sizes to choose from, ranging from a single-serve option all the way up to the mail-order 11″ X 15″, 22 oz. large oval. Most grocery stores carry the mini-ovals, which are 14oz.

Where can you buy Racine Danish Kringles?

Racine Danish Kringles are available all over the country. While in-store availability varies, major national and regional retailers that typically carry them include Aldi, Costco, Meijer, Piggly Wiggly, Metro Market, Sentry, Sendik’s, Woodman’s, Festival Foods, Pick N’ Save, and Trig’s.

For the widest flavor variety, you can order directly from RDK’s website and have your sweet treat delivered right to your door. If you happen to be visiting Racine, you can also make your way to the bakery’s facility at 2529 Golf Avenue, Racine, WI 53404 to purchase a fresh pastry.

“It’s not just a treat, it’s a tradition.”

The sweet buttery, flaky goodness of a Kringle may be what hooks you, but it’s the rich history and Wisconsin tradition that give it those “hidden tastes”—the flavor of holidays, family, and home.

Whether enjoyed every Christmas without fail or whenever the craving hits, for breakfast with coffee or reserved for dessert, the Kringle holds a cherished place at the table in Wisconsin and in communities throughout the country and world. Each time you bite into that sweet, flaky goodness, you are continuing a legacy that spans hundreds of years, multiple countries, and many generations. As the Racine Danish Kringles saying goes, “It’s not just a treat, it’s a tradition.”