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Reindling

Reindling

Origin: UnknownPeriod: Traditional

Reindling is a traditional Austrian sweet bread, particularly associated with the Carinthia region, characterized by a spiral interior of cinnamon, sugar, and butter encased within a rich, egg-enriched yeast dough. The loaf is typically baked in a round tube or Bundt-style pan, yielding a tender, golden crumb laced with fragrant swirls of spiced filling. Though classified here under crackers and crisps, Reindling is more accurately a festive enriched bread whose precise origins remain rooted in Central European folk baking traditions that predate formal culinary documentation.

Cultural Significance

Reindling holds deep cultural importance in the Austrian state of Carinthia, where it is traditionally prepared for Easter celebrations and served alongside cured meats and hard-boiled eggs as part of the holiday table. The bread's spiral form is thought by some folklorists to carry symbolic meaning related to renewal and the cyclical nature of the seasons, though documented historical evidence for this interpretation remains limited. Its enduring presence in Carinthian households across generations has made it a defining marker of regional culinary identity.

Prep20 min
Cook20 min
Total40 min
Servings4
Difficultyintermediate

Ingredients

  • (500g) of flour
    2 1/4 cups
  • (40g) of yeast
    5 tsp
  • 2 unit
  • - 1/2cup (70g - 90g) of sugar (depending on taste)
    1/3 cup
  • A generous pinch of salt
    1 unit
  • ( 120g) of butter
    8 tbsp
  • 5 tbsp
  • (100g) of raisins
    1/2 cup
  • (100g) of sugar
    1/2 cup
  • 1 tablespoon
  • (100g) of finely ground nuts (optional)
    1/2 cup
  • (60g) of butter for topping
    4 tbsp

Method

1
In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, a pinch of salt, and crumbled fresh yeast. Add warmed milk, beaten eggs, and softened butter, then knead the dough vigorously until it is smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
15 minutes
2
Cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and set it in a warm, draft-free place to rise until it has doubled in size.
60 minutes
3
Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Roll it out into a large, even rectangle approximately half a centimeter thick.
5 minutes
4
Spread a generous layer of softened butter across the surface of the dough, then evenly sprinkle a mixture of cinnamon and sugar over the butter.
5 minutes
5
Starting from one of the long edges, tightly roll the dough into a log to form the characteristic spiral interior. Pinch the seam firmly to seal.
5 minutes
6
Grease a round tube or Bundt-style pan with butter, then carefully place the rolled dough log inside the pan, joining the ends to form a ring. Allow the shaped dough to rest and rise again until noticeably puffed.
40 minutes
7
Brush the top of the risen dough with a beaten egg to give it a glossy, golden finish during baking.
2 minutes
8
Bake the Reindling in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) until the loaf is deep golden brown and a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow it to cool in the pan for ten minutes before turning out onto a wire rack.
45 minutes

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