When you mention Haydel’s Bakery, the first thing that comes to mind is probably King Cake. However, Haydel’s makes another ring-shaped pastry that is all the rage during the Christmas season. That pastry would be the Cajun Kringle, and believe me when I tell you it IS delicious.
We stopped at Haydel’s to talk about the Cajun Kringle and see how these flaky, sweet, nutty treats are produced. It turns out that the Kringle originated in the north as a fruit filled, holiday pastry that was similar to a danish.
Our good friends at Haydel’s started making their version of the Kringle in 1989. They currently make 20,000 Kringles each year. The Cajun Kringle is available year round, but the majority of them are sold between November and Mardi Gras. Ryan Haydel tells us that there are people who order Kringles throughout the year and that he has even made a groom’s cake out of the Cajun Kringle.
The Kringle is round like a King Cake and it is topped with a generous amount of icing like a King Cake. That, my friends, is where the similarities end. While a King cake is a dense doughy concoction, the Cajun Kringle is a delicate, flaky pastry that is very similar to a croissant. It’s filled with a decadent nutty, pecan filling. If that wasn’t enough, it is topped with a caramel icing and more pecans. All I can say is WOW! I love King Cake, but after tasting the Cajun Kringle I may just have a new favorite. No matter which you prefer, Haydel’s will do it and ship it for you throughout this holiday season and year round.