This Christmas kringle is a true holiday classic. Filled with cinnamon, pecans, and raisins, this braided sweet bread tastes like an upgraded cinnamon roll. The method for creating its beautiful shape is simpler than you might think, and it truly produces such a pretty result. I love to bring this kringle out on Christmas morning and see everyone’s faces light up!
Christmas Kringle Recipe
For me, the best part about waking up on Christmas morning isn’t the presents; it’s the food! There is always something sweet to eat that brings everyone together around the dining room table. This Christmas kringle is my favorite sweet treat to make for Christmas morning. It’s perfectly shareable and filled with warm and sweet flavors. Don’t be scared by the yeast; this is a quick and easy dough that’s virtually foolproof.
Email This Recipe
Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!
Note: This recipe is one of those few exceptions on our site that has more than 10 ingredients. We try to keep things VERY easy around here, and limiting ingredients and time spent is one of our favorite ways. That being said, this recipe is too delicious to leave out of our recipe box! It’s an exception that is so flavorful and worth the extra ingredients if you have the time and resources to make it.
How to Store and Reheat
Store leftover Christmas kringle tightly wrapped in plastic wrap at room temperature for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 6 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying at room temperature or gently warmed in the microwave.
Tips for Success
- If you don’t have pecans, you can use walnuts.
- If you don’t have any raisins on hand or just aren’t a fan, try substituting them with other dried fruits, such as cranberries, chopped dates, or apricots.
- If after 10 minutes, the yeast mixture is not foamy, toss it and start again with fresh yeast.
- Be sure to place a bit of flour on your table or any other surface before you begin rolling the dough to keep it from sticking.
- When rolling the dough, make sure to do so tightly to keep it all together. If you’re not rolling it tightly enough, it can easily fall apart
Christmas Kringle Recipe
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (1 envelope)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- ¾ cup milk lukewarm (110°F)
- 1 teaspoon maple extract
- ¼ cup salted butter melted (½ stick)
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon brown sugar
For the Filling
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened (½ stick)
- ½ cup salted butter softened (1 stick)
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
- ¼ cup raisins
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Instant Read Thermometer (optional)
- Stand Mixer (optional)
- Hand Mixer (optional)
Instructions
- Add the yeast and sugar to a small bowl. Add the warm milk, maple extract, melted butter, and the egg and whisk well. Set aside.2¼ teaspoons active dry yeast, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar, ¾ cup milk, 1 teaspoon maple extract, ¼ cup salted butter, 1 large egg
- In a separate, large bowl, mix the flour and brown sugar together. Add the milk mixture and stir until it starts to thicken. Knead until well combined and shape into a ball. Lightly oil the sides of the bowl and place the dough ball inside, covered with a kitchen towel. Set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.2¼ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon brown sugar
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the filling. Cream the butters, brown sugar, and cinnamon together. Set aside.¼ cup unsalted butter, ½ cup salted butter, ¼ cup brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle.
- Add the butter mixture to the dough and spread, stopping ½-inch from the edge.
- Evenly sprinkle the pecans and raisins over top. Tightly roll the dough lengthwise from one side to the other.¼ cup chopped pecans, ¼ cup raisins
- Use a sharp knife to cut the dough log in half lengthwise.
- Pinch together the top of both pieces of dough. Then, cross the dough pieces over each other as if braiding, keeping the cut sides up.
- Pinch to seal the ends together and connect the top ends to the bottom ends, forming a circle.
- Place onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 22 minutes, until golden brown and 205°F internally. Serve immediately.
Notes
How to Make a Christmas Kringle Step-by-Step
Bloom the Yeast: Add 2¼ teaspoons (1 envelope) of active dry yeast and 1 tablespoon of sugar to a small bowl. Add ¾ cup of warm milk, 1 teaspoon of maple extract, ¼ cup of melted salted butter, and 1 large egg and whisk well. Set aside.
Mix the Dough: In a separate, large bowl, mix 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar together. Add the milk mixture and stir until it starts to thicken. Knead until well combined and shape into a ball. Lightly oil the sides of the bowl and place the dough ball inside, covered with a kitchen towel. Set in a warm place to rise for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Make the Filling: Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cream ¼ cup of unsalted butter and ½ cup of salted butter with ¼ cup of brown sugar, and 1 tablespoon of ground cinnamon. Set aside.
Roll Out the Dough: Place the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use a rolling pin to roll out the dough into an 18×12-inch rectangle. Add the butter mixture to the dough and spread, stopping ½-inch from the edge.
Fill the Kringle: Evenly sprinkle ¼ cup of chopped pecans and ¼ cup of raisins over top. Tightly roll the dough lengthwise from one side to the other.
Cut the Dough: Use a sharp knife to cut the dough log in half lengthwise.
Braid the Dough: Pinch together the top of both pieces of dough. Then, cross the dough pieces over each other as if braiding, keeping the cut sides up.
Seal the Dough: Pinch to seal the ends together and connect the top ends to the bottom ends, forming a circle.
Bake the Kringle: Place onto a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 22 minutes, until golden brown and 205°F internally. Serve immediately.
Leave a Review