Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe

If you’ve ever walked into a Trader Joe’s in Wisconsin, chances are you’ve spotted the famous Trader Joe’s Kringle – a flaky, buttery pastry that has become a sweet symbol of the state. But did you know that this Danish-inspired treat has roots tracing back to the late 1800s? Danish immigrants in Racine, Wisconsin first introduced Kringles, and over time, they became a beloved bakery staple across the region.

Today, Racine proudly wears the crown of being “the most Danish city in America,” with historic bakeries like O&H Danish Bakery and Bendtsen’s still keeping traditions alive. And while most Wisconsinites simply pick up their Kringle at the local grocery store, making one from scratch is a rewarding experience.

This homemade Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe captures the authentic flavors while letting you add your own creative twist. Don’t worry-it may look fancy, but with a little patience and love, you’ll bake up a flaky, almond-filled pastry that tastes just as good as the store-bought version.

My Personal Experience With This Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe

I’ll be the first to admit-I’m not the most confident baker. But when I came across this Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe, I knew I had to give it a shot. The challenge of creating laminated dough (with all those delicate buttery layers) felt intimidating at first, but I decided to go all in.

My first attempt was far from perfect-the shape wasn’t quite right, and I almost lost some filling along the way. But by the time I made my second Kringle, I started to understand the process. The dough folded beautifully, the almond filling baked evenly, and the icing with toasted almonds tied everything together.

And here’s the best part: once I sliced into it, I realized just how worth it this project was. The pastry was crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, and layered with sweet almond richness. Paired with a spoonful of raspberry compote, it turned into something you’d easily expect from a high-end bakery.

Ingredients Required for Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe

Gather all the following ingredients, before you start making this Trader Joe’s Kringle

For the Dough:

• 130g all-purpose flour
• 130g bread flour
• 10g granulated sugar
• 2 tsp instant yeast
• ¾ tsp fine sea salt
• 225g cold unsalted butter (grated or cubed)
• 80ml cold whole milk
• 1 large egg

For the Almond Filling:

• 2 egg whites (reserve for brushing)
• 170g almond paste
• 60g unsalted butter
• 30g powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp beaten egg whites
• Pinch of salt
• Fresh lemon juice (to taste)

For the Icing:

• 125g powdered sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 4 tsp water

For Garnish:

• ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted
• Flaky sea salt (optional)

Kitchen Utensils Required

1. Mixing bowls
2. Cheese grater or food processor
3. Rubber spatula
4. Stand mixer with paddle attachment
5. Rolling pin
6. Parchment-lined baking tray
7. Plastic wrap

Preparation & Cooking Time

Prep Time: 40 minutes (active) + 4 hours resting

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: ~5 hours (including chilling and rising)

Yield: 2 Kringles

Copycat Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe

Just follow this simple step by step guideline to make your homemade version of Trader Joe’s Kringle in a delicious way.

1. Make the Dough:

• In a large bowl, whisk together flours, sugar, yeast, and salt.
• Add grated butter and gently mix until the texture resembles small pebbles.
• In a separate bowl, whisk milk and egg, then combine with the dry mixture.
• Knead into a cohesive dough, shape into a rectangle, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for 4 hours.

2. Prepare the Almond Filling:

• Beat almond paste, butter, powdered sugar, egg whites, salt, and lemon juice until smooth. Set aside.

3. Make the Icing & Toast Almonds:

• Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, and water until glaze forms.
• Toast almonds in a 350°F (175°C) oven for 3–5 minutes, until golden.

4. Laminate the Dough:

• Roll chilled dough into an 8×15-inch rectangle. Fold one end to the middle, then the other end over the first fold. Wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
• Repeat folding and chilling 2 more times.

5. Shape & Fill the Kringle:

• Divide dough into 2 pieces. Roll each into a 6×24-inch rectangle.
• Pipe almond filling down the center. Fold dough over the filling, sealing edges. Shape into an oval and pinch ends together.
• Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined tray. Cover loosely and let rise for 45–60 minutes.

6. Bake:

• Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush Kringle with egg white and bake for 25 minutes, rotating halfway through, until golden.
• Cool completely before glazing.

7. Finish & Serve:

• Drizzle icing, sprinkle toasted almonds, and finish with a pinch of flaky sea salt.
• Optional: serve with raspberry compote for an extra touch.

Also check another popular recipe from Trader Joe’s from below

Trader Joe’s Cauliflower Rice Recipe

Trader Joe’s Jalapeno Sauce Recipe

Trader Joe’s Butternut Squash Ravioli Recipe

Delicious Ways to Customize and Serve This Trader Joe’s Kringle

Here are some Variations and Customizations ideas you can try to enjoy this Trader Joe’s Kringle deliciously

1. With a Cup of Freshly Brewed Coffee
There’s something magical about pairing a slice of warm Kringle with a hot cup of coffee. The buttery, almond-rich layers melt in your mouth while the coffee balances the sweetness. Honestly, this is our favorite lazy Sunday morning treat.

2. Topped with Raspberry Compote
We once tried adding a spoonful of homemade raspberry compote on top of the Kringle-and wow, it was a game changer. The tart berries cut through the richness of the almond filling beautifully.

3. Served with Vanilla Ice Cream
One evening, we warmed up leftover Kringle and added a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side. The mix of hot and cold, creamy and flaky, was simply indulgent. Highly recommend this for dessert lovers.

4. Drizzled with Chocolate Sauce
On a whim, we melted some dark chocolate and drizzled it over the icing. It turned into this elegant, bakery-worthy dessert that felt so much fancier than it actually was.

5. As a Holiday Breakfast Treat
During the holidays, we like to slice up a Kringle and serve it alongside fresh fruit and eggs. It feels festive, looks gorgeous on the table, and everyone always goes back for seconds.

6. Paired with Sparkling Wine
We once brought a homemade Kringle to a brunch gathering and served it with a chilled glass of Prosecco. The light bubbles with the sweet pastry made the whole experience feel like a celebration.

7. With Toasted Nuts for Extra Crunch
Although the recipe already calls for almonds, we sometimes sprinkle extra toasted pecans or walnuts on top. It adds such a lovely depth of flavor and makes every bite more interesting.

8. Turned Into a Dessert Platter
We sliced the Kringle into smaller pieces, arranged them on a board with fresh berries, cheeses, and honey-and suddenly, we had the perfect dessert platter for entertaining. Guests devoured it!

9. With a Dusting of Cinnamon Sugar
One time we skipped the icing and instead dusted the top with cinnamon sugar right after baking. It gave the Kringle a cozy, warm flavor that paired perfectly with tea.

10. As a Midnight Snack
We’ll admit it-sometimes the best way to enjoy Kringle is sneaking a slice late at night. No garnish, no plating, just you, the pastry, and pure happiness.

Some Notable Tips and Tricks on This Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe

Here are some tips and tricks you should follow when trying this recipe.

1. Keep your butter cold.
Cold butter makes the dough flaky. If it gets too soft, pop it back in the fridge for a few minutes.

2. Don’t rush the dough.
Let the dough rest in the fridge. This helps the layers get nice and crispy when baking.

3. Roll gently.
When you roll the dough, don’t push too hard. Be gentle so the butter stays in layers.

4. Seal the edges tight.
When you fold the dough over the filling, pinch the edges well. This keeps the filling from leaking out.

5. Let it rise.
Give the dough time to puff up before baking. This makes the Kringle light and airy.

6. Toast your almonds.
Toasting almonds makes them crunchy and gives a yummy nutty taste. Just watch them so they don’t burn!

7. Cool before icing.
Wait until your Kringle is cool before adding icing. If it’s warm, the icing will melt right off.

8. Add a little salt.
A tiny sprinkle of flaky salt on top makes the sweet flavors pop even more.

9. Try different fillings.
Almond is classic, but you can add raspberry jam, chocolate, or even cinnamon sugar for fun flavors.

10. Enjoy with friends.
Kringle is meant to be shared. Slice it up, make some coffee or hot cocoa, and enjoy together.

How to Store and Reheat Leftover Trader Joe’s Kringle Properly?

If you have any leftover (hopefully you don’t have) you can process them properly as follows,

Store your Kringle in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap tightly and freeze for up to a month. To reheat, place in a 300°F oven for 8–10 minutes until warmed through.

FAQs on this Copycat Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe

When you give this Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe a try, you might have a few questions. Don’t worry-we’ve rounded up answers to the most common ones to help you out.

1. How to cook Trader Joe’s Kringle?

Trader Joe’s usually sells their Kringles fully baked, so you don’t need to cook them-just slice and enjoy. But when I made this homemade version, I baked the dough at 375°F for about 25 minutes until golden brown. The key is letting it cool completely before adding the glaze, otherwise the icing melts right off.

2. What is Kringle at Trader Joe’s?

The Kringle at Trader Joe’s is a buttery, flaky Danish pastry that’s filled with almond paste or fruit fillings and topped with sweet icing. It’s a Wisconsin classic that originated in Racine, and honestly, it tastes like a cross between a croissant and a coffee cake.

3. What is a Kringle pastry made of?

Traditionally, Kringles are made from laminated dough (similar to puff pastry), layered with butter, and filled with almond paste or fruit fillings. When I baked mine, I used a combination of almond paste, butter, and sugar for the filling, then finished it with icing and toasted almonds.

4. Where does Trader Joe’s get their Kringles?

Trader Joe’s sources their Kringles from bakeries in Racine, Wisconsin-the most Danish city in America. Places like O&H Danish Bakery have been making them for decades, and Trader Joe’s works with them to bring this authentic pastry to stores nationwide.

5. Is making homemade Kringle difficult?

It’s a little time-consuming, especially with all the folding and chilling of the dough, but not overly hard. My first attempt wasn’t picture-perfect, but once I got the hang of laminating the dough, the second one turned out beautifully flaky and delicious.

6. Can I make Kringle with different fillings?

Yes! While almond is the classic flavor, you can absolutely experiment. I tried mine with a raspberry compote on the side, and it paired beautifully. Other popular options include pecan, apple, or even chocolate.

7. How long does homemade Kringle stay fresh?

From my experience, Kringle tastes best the day it’s baked, but it will stay fresh at room temperature for about 2–3 days if stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, freezing works really well.

8. How do you reheat Kringle without drying it out?

I like to pop slices in a 300°F oven for about 8–10 minutes. This keeps the pastry soft in the middle while reviving that crisp outer layer. Just avoid the microwave-it makes the pastry rubbery.

9. Can I freeze homemade Kringle?

Yes, and I actually recommend it if you’re not eating both right away since the recipe makes two. Wrap the Kringle tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze. When ready to eat, thaw at room temperature and reheat lightly in the oven.

10. What makes Wisconsin Kringle special compared to other pastries?

It’s all about tradition and technique. Wisconsin Kringle is oval-shaped, super flaky, and filled with rich almond or fruit layers. Baking it myself made me appreciate the craftsmanship even more-it’s not just a pastry, it’s a piece of cultural history from Racine.

Making a Trader Joe’s Kringle Recipe at home might feel like a project, but the end result is a beautifully flaky, almond-filled pastry that’s worth every fold and chill. Whether you’re reliving Wisconsin memories or just exploring Danish-inspired baking, this recipe is a true delight.

We’d love to hear how this recipe turns out for you! Give it a try, then drop a comment below to share your thoughts and tips with us.

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