First, let’s clear up the Santa confusion. Kris Kringle comes from the German word Christkindl, meaning “Christ child.” Over centuries, some European settlers turned that into a gift-bringer. But here’s the kicker: Kringle by itself has a totally different day job. It’s a pastry. Yes, you read that right. A flaky, buttery, nut-filled pastry that makes danishes weep with envy.
This pastry is the official state food of Wisconsin. That’s right—a state famous for cheese, beer, and Packers fans also claims a weird, oval-shaped doughy beast. And they take it very seriously. If you call a Racine Kringle a “Danish,” you might get shouted down by a retired dairy farmer holding a spatula.
