Kransekage facts for kids
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An 18-layer kransekake decorated with white icing
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| Alternative names | kransekage, kransekake, kransakaka |
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| Type | Cake |
| Course | Dessert |
| Place of origin | Denmark |
| Region or state | Scandinavia |
| Serving temperature | Cold |
| Main ingredients | Almonds, sugar, egg whites |
| Variations | Overflødighedshorn |
Kransekake (pronounced kran-seh-kah-keh) is a special cake from Denmark and Norway. Its name means wreath cake in English. People often eat this tasty treat during big celebrations in countries like Scandinavia.
In Norway, it's also called tårnkake, which means tower cake. It's a popular choice for Constitution Day, Christmas, weddings, and baptisms. In Denmark, Kransekake is usually enjoyed during New Year's celebrations. There's also a special version called overflødighedshorn that's served at weddings and baptisms.
This unique cake first appeared in the 1700s. It was created by a baker in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Contents
How is Kransekake Made?
Kransekake looks like a tower made of many rings. These rings are stacked on top of each other. They form a cone shape, often with 18 or more layers. White icing holds the rings together.
The cake rings are made from three main ingredients:
A perfect Kransekake feels firm on the outside. But when you bite into it, it's soft and chewy.
When and How to Enjoy Kransekake
This special cake is served by taking off the individual rings. Then, you break them into smaller pieces to eat.
You can find Kransekake in stores around Christmas and before New Year's Eve. Sometimes, it's even sold all year round as dessert bars.
Fun Wedding Tradition
At weddings, there's a fun tradition with the Kransekake. The bride and groom lift the top layer of the cake. People say that the number of rings that stick to the top layer tells them how many children they will have!
The Tallest Kransekake
In 2006, the world's tallest Kransekake was baked. It was made by the supermarket Coop in Oslo, Norway. This giant cake was 13.17 meters (about 43 feet) tall! It took over 700 kilograms (about 1,543 pounds) of dough to make. This huge cake celebrated Coop's 100th anniversary.
Different Kinds of Kransekake
There are a few variations of this traditional cake.
Overflødighedshorn
The original version for weddings is called overflødighedshorn. This name means horn of plenty. It's shaped like a cornucopia, which is a horn-shaped basket. This cake is often filled with chocolates, cookies, and other small treats. Sometimes, a bottle of wine or akvavit (a type of spirit) is placed in the center. The cake is decorated with fun items like crackers and flags.
Kransekakestenger
For Christmas, people often make bite-sized versions called Kransekakestenger. This means wreath cake rods. They are made from the same dough as the regular Kransekake. But instead of rings, they are shaped into small, straight pieces. These pieces are usually about 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) long. They are also decorated with white icing. Sometimes, they are even dipped in chocolate for extra flavor!
Gallery
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Closeup of a kransekake decorated with Norwegian flags.
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A small kransekake, decorated with nuts and fruit as well as the traditional white glaze
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A modern, smaller version of Overflødighedshorn decorated with marzipan and chocolate scrolls (Danish: Snirkel). On the lower right there are small, oblong pieces of kransekage.
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A kransekake ring decorated with gingerbread.
See also
In Spanish: Kransekake para niños
