What an apt name for a Christmas treat. Kringles seem to have originated in medieval Scandinavia as a kind of pretzel made by monks — its name is derived from the Old Norse “kringla” meaning a circle or oval. Brought to the United States by 19th-century Danish immigrants it is an oval delight made with layers of sweet, flaky pastry, filled with fruit, nut, chocolate chips or cream cheese filling and topped with sweet icing. In 2013 it was named the Wisconsin State Pastry.