What is the traditional New Year’s Eve cake served in Denmark called?

The traditional New Year’s Eve cake served in Denmark is called kransekage.

Kransekage is a Scandinavian confection made from almond paste, sugar, and egg whites. The mixture is shaped into graduated rings, baked, and assembled into a tall cone or tower. White icing is commonly piped in zigzag lines across the rings, creating the cake’s distinctive appearance.

In Denmark, kransekage is strongly associated with New Year’s Eve and is often served with champagne or another sparkling drink at midnight. Smaller pieces may also be made as individual wreaths or decorative forms. Its almond-based texture is denser and chewier than that of a typical sponge cake.

The related Norwegian name is kransekake, while Danish uses kransekage. The dessert is also served at weddings and other major celebrations, so it is not exclusively a New Year’s food. Despite its tower shape, it is not the same dessert as a conventional tiered wedding cake.