The Danish New Year’s Eve dessert traditionally made from a ring-shaped stack of almond cake is kransekage.
Kransekage, also spelled kransekake in Norwegian, is built from concentric rings made with almonds, sugar, and egg white. The rings are stacked to form a tapered tower and commonly joined or decorated with white icing. In Denmark, the dessert is strongly associated with New Year’s Eve and other major celebrations.
A marzipan-like texture and almond flavor distinguish it from ordinary sponge cake. It may be cut into pieces from the tower, and smaller versions can be made as individual rings or shapes. Champagne or sparkling wine is often served alongside it at midnight.
The name literally refers to a “wreath cake,” reflecting the ring form. It should not be confused with æbleskiver, the spherical Danish pancakes commonly eaten during the Christmas season.