Breakfast · Brunch · European ·

Sweet Estonian Kringel with Cardamom and Raisins

Name: Sweet Estonian Kringel with Cardamom and Raisins
Prep time: 50 min
Cook time: 150 min
Total time: 200 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: Breakfast
Ingredients: All-purpose flour, 3 cups; Milk, 1 cup warm; Active dry yeast, 2 1/4 tsp; Sugar, 1/4 cup; Unsalted butter, 1/4 cup, softened; Egg, 1 large; Ground cardamom, 1 tsp; Salt, 1/2 tsp; Unsalted butter, 1/4 cup, softened; Cinnamon sugar, 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tsp ground cinnamon; Raisins, 1/2 cup; Egg, 1 large; Milk, 1 tbsp

This traditional Estonian pastry delights with its enticing aroma of cardamom and sweetness from raisins, perfect for a cozy breakfast or brunch treat.

4.6(625 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·November 12, 2025

Sweet Estonian Kringel with Cardamom and Raisins — Breakfast served and photographed from above

Prep

50 min

Cook

2 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Dough

For the Filling

For the Egg Wash

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 385 kcal
Protein: 7.6 g
Carbs: 56.9 g
Fat: 13.9 g
Fiber: 1.9 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 3080 kcal
Protein: 61 g
Carbs: 455 g
Fat: 111 g
Fiber: 15 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
All-purpose flour 3 cups	1365	36	279	4	9
Milk 1 cup warm	122	8	12	5	0
Active dry yeast 2 1/4 tsp	11	2	2	0	0
Sugar 1/4 cup	194	0	50	0	0
Unsalted butter 1/4 cup, softened	407	0	0	46	0
Egg 1 large	72	6	1	5	0
Ground cardamom 1 tsp	6	0	1	0	1
Salt 1/2 tsp	0	0	0	0	0
Unsalted butter 1/4 cup, softened	407	0	0	46	0
Cinnamon sugar 1/4 cup sugar + 1 tsp ground cinnamon	198	0	51	0	2
Raisins 1/2 cup	217	2	57	0	3
Egg 1 large	72	6	1	5	0
Milk 1 tbsp	9	1	1	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Dough

1
Activate the yeast
In a small bowl, dissolve sugar in warm milk and sprinkle yeast over. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
2
Mix and knead the dough
In a large bowl, mix flour, cardamom, and salt. Add the milk mixture, butter, and egg. Knead until smooth and elastic.
3
First rise
Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place until doubled, approximately 1 hour.

Preparing the Filling

1
Make cinnamon sugar butter
Mix softened butter with the cinnamon sugar until smooth.
2
Fill and shape the dough
Roll out dough into a rectangle on a floured surface, spread the filling, and sprinkle with raisins.
3
Braid the kringel
Roll the dough into a log, cut it lengthwise, and twist into a braid, forming a circle.
Tip: Be gentle when rolling the dough to avoid tearing. Pro Tip: Use a sharp knife when slicing the log to keep the layers clean and visible.