One of the quick snack spots that has always been on my Disney radar is Kringla Bakeri og Kafe at the Norway pavilion in World Showcase at Epcot. However, a visit has always eluded me. So I made it a point to drop in during our last quick visit.
This bakery and small noshing destination is one of two different spots to find food in the Norway pavilion (the other being the table-service character dining experience at Akershus Royal Banquet Hall, which is the perfect place for the little princesses in your life.)
I have always loved the Norway pavilion, especially its main attraction – the Maelstrom, a high seas adventure that pits you against some tricky trolls in the fjords of the North Atlantic country.
Be careful, you may blink and miss the entrance to the bakery. It’s quite small with just a little signage over the door. I just love the beautiful woods and the architecture to recreate some of the Stave-style buildings.
Sweets aren’t the only thing you can get here. You can also get some small sandwiches to satiate your hunger, like these with fillings of roast beef, salmon, turkey or cheese.
I’d have to say one of this bakery’s best sellers is the School Bread, a yeasty sweet concoction filled with cream, cinnamon and topped in coconut. A little more about this snack’s history below…
Filling out the sweets case are these delightful looking jelly rolls.
The French pavilion at World showcase isn’t the only spot where you can find delicately prepared tarts. But instead of apple, here you can find a pear-almond version to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Move over Auntie Anne’s, Kringla Bakeri is making some decadent sweet pretzels for park-goers to devour.
Wafer-thin waffles and crunchy cookies are also available (along with some soft drinks, milk and bottle water.)
Of course, what bakery would be complete without those flaky and wonderful Danish pastries?
According to my friends over at Disney Food Blog, School Bread is a Norwegian treat commonly put in school lunch boxes or sold at bake sales (I guess it’s the equivalent of our cupcake?)
So, what exactly is School Bread? Well, it’s kinda like a yeasty donut filled with a chilled vanilla cream. The dough has a sweetness with a tinge of cinnamon (I thought it was more cardamom-like) and then it’s got a little icing and a bit of coconut to top it off.
What did I think of it? Well, the dough could’ve been a bit moister – perhaps staying in the cold case helped lead to some of the dryness. Maybe if I let it get to room temperature it would’ve been a bit better. But, the chilled cream was great (a la the cream in my every-so-often Dunkin’ Donuts Boston Creme Donut) and the coconut was a refreshing ending with just the right amount of toastiness.
My father-in-law indulged in this beautiful cream puff filled with billowy cream and speckled with fresh berries.
Don’t make the same mistake as I and miss this hidden gem in Epcot’s World Showcase for too long. Sure, there are great desserts over in France, but step off the beaten path and try some of these treats. You won’t be disappointed!
Eats by Xtina 
My wife and I went to EPCOT last week. We arrived prior to the 9 A.M. opening time prepared for a full day of exploring. After taking in Soarin, we walked over to the Norway bakery prepared to partake of the delectable baked goods. I opted for the Pear Almond Tart ($3.99) and was sadly disappointed since the tart was cold, the firm crust and toasted sliced almonds were soggy due to the refrigeration, and the almond filling’s flavor was masked by the refrigeration odor. If they are going to offer these delicate items, they should store them properly or prepare enough for a typical day’s requirements, so they retain constant freshness. I won’t go back.