The ring-shaped Danish almond cake traditionally served at New Year’s celebrations is called kransekage. It is made from almond paste, sugar, and egg white, then baked as stacked rings that form a conical tower.
Kransekage is especially associated with Denmark and Norway, where the related name kransekake is common. The rings are joined and decorated with white icing, and the finished tower may be topped with a small flag or other decoration.
The cake is served at festive occasions including New Year’s Eve, weddings, and other major celebrations. Guests usually break off pieces from the rings rather than cutting the tower like an ordinary layered cake.
The name literally refers to a wreath or ring cake. It is sometimes confused with æbleskiver, which are small round pancake-like pastries, or risalamande, a chilled rice dessert traditionally linked with Danish Christmas rather than this almond-ring cake.