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Estonian kringle
Kringel: twisted Estonian cinnamon-sugar yeast wreath
Kringel is the celebration bread of Estonia, baked for birthdays and name days and carried to every visit: a rich yeast dough rolled with cinnamon butter and sugar, sliced lengthways, twisted into a braided wreath so the layers show, and baked until golden. In Tallinn's old-town cafés it is sold by the slice with coffee. A common mistake is cutting the roll with a blunt knife, which squashes the layers. Chef's tip: chill the filled roll for 15 minutes before slicing; it cuts cleanly and twists without the filling escaping.
- Total time
- 70 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
For the dough
- 16 oz plain flour
- 1 ¾ oz sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cardamom
- ¾ cup warm milk
- 1 egg
- 2 ⅛ oz soft butter
For the filling
- 2 ⅞ oz soft butter
- 2 ⅞ oz soft brown sugar
- 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
For the top
- 1 egg yolkbeaten with 1 tbsp milk
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Mix 16 oz plain flour, ¼ oz fast-action dried yeast, 1 ¾ oz sugar, ½ tsp salt and 1 tsp ground cardamom. Add ¾ cup warm milk, 1 egg and 2 ⅛ oz soft butter and knead for 8 minutes. Cover and rise 1 hour.
8 minStep 2: Beat 2 ⅞ oz soft butter, 2 ⅞ oz soft brown sugar and 1 tbsp ground cinnamon to a paste.
Step 3: Roll the dough into a 30 × 50 cm rectangle, spread with filling and roll up tightly from the long side. Chill for 15 minutes.
15 minStep 4: Cut the roll in half lengthways with a sharp knife, leaving 2 cm joined at one end. Twist the halves together, cut side up, and shape into a wreath or pretzel. Common mistake: a blunt knife; the layers squash.
Step 5: Rise on a lined tray for 30 minutes. Heat the oven to 375°F (fan 350°F).
30 minStep 6: Brush with 1 egg yolk and bake for 25–30 minutes, until deep golden.
30 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 290 kcal
- Protein
- 5 g
- Carbs
- 38 g
- Fat
- 13 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does estonian kringle take?
- About 70 minutes in total: 40 minutes to prepare and 30 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of fast-action dried yeast?
- Fresh yeast, three times the weight.
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