Happy National Kringle Day!

Here in Racine, we all know and love kringle—but how many of us actually know its backstory? This large, flaky, oval-shaped pastry filled with delicious variety was brought to Racine by Danish immigrants in the 1800s, and in 2013, it was officially named Wisconsin’s State Pastry.

One key figure in kringle’s local legacy is Laurits Bendt Bendtsen. Born in 1905 in Odense, Denmark, Bendtsen immigrated to the U.S. in his twenties. After a stop in Iowa, he settled in Racine, where a vibrant Danish-American community was already thriving. In 1934, he purchased a corner lot and opened what would become Bendtsen’s Bakery—a Racine staple that’s still in business at the same location 88 years later.

Originally offering classic almond and raisin flavors, Bendtsen’s Bakery saw a surge in popularity during the 1960s and ’70s. Today, they serve up more than 30 different kringle varieties, delighting generations of pastry lovers.