Kransekake Recipe by InfoStarBase

Here’s a detailed recipe for Kransekake, a traditional Norwegian almond cake often served at weddings, Christmas, and birthdays.

Kransekake Recipe

Kransekake is a beautiful, towering cake made of stacked rings of sweet almond dough, adorned with icing and occasionally filled with treats. It is not only delicious but also a stunning centerpiece for festive occasions.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 4 cups (400g) almond flour (finely ground)
• 4 cups (500g) powdered sugar
• 2 large egg whites
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

For the Icing:

• 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
• 1 large egg white
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Water, as needed

For Decoration (Optional):

• Pine nuts or slivered almonds
• Candies or small decorations (like marzipan figures)

Equipment

• Piping bag with a small round tip
• Kransekake mold or round cake pans (for forming the rings)

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, powdered sugar, and salt. Whisk them together until well blended. The almond flour should be finely ground for the best texture.

2. Add the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, lightly beat the egg whites, then add them to the dry ingredients along with the vanilla extract and almond extract. Mix until a smooth, stiff dough forms.

3. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Chilling helps the dough firm up, making it easier to pipe into the rings.

Step 2: Shape the Rings

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper or use a silicone baking mat.

2. Pipe the Dough: Using a piping bag fitted with a small round tip, pipe the dough into ring shapes on the prepared baking sheets. If using a Kransekake mold, fill the molds with the dough and smooth the tops with a spatula.

3. Create Different Sizes: Vary the sizes of the rings; typically, Kransekake includes 18-20 rings that decrease in size from bottom to top.

4. Decorate (Optional): Before baking, sprinkle pine nuts or slivered almonds over the rings for added texture and flavor.

Step 3: Bake the Rings

1. Bake: Place the baking sheets in the preheated oven and bake for 10-15 minutes, or until the rings are lightly golden around the edges. Keep a close eye on them to prevent over-baking.

2. Cool the Rings: Once baked, remove the rings from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for a few minutes. Carefully transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 4: Prepare the Icing

1. Make the Icing: In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups powdered sugar, egg white, and lemon juice. Whip until the icing reaches a thick consistency. Adjust with a few drops of water, if necessary, to achieve the correct thickness for piping.

Step 5: Assemble the Kransekake

1. Stack the Rings: Once the rings are completely cool, stack them from the largest at the bottom to the smallest at the top. You can use a little icing between each layer to help them stick together.

2. Decorate: Pipe icing over the rings in decorative patterns, or drizzle it for a beautiful finish. You can also add candies or small decorations on top for a festive touch.

Serving

Kransekake is often served at celebrations and is typically cut into wedges. It can be paired with coffee or tea. This cake not only tastes delicious with a nutty flavor but also serves as a stunning centerpiece, bringing joy and festivity to any occasion. Enjoy your homemade Kransekake, and impress friends and family with this delightful piece of Norwegian tradition!