I was given a rather large version of this for my birthday:

http://globaltableadventure.com/recipe/latvian-birthday-cake-kringel/

It's basically a rich coffee cake, and traditionally shaped into a large pretzel.

Other people braid the dough in other clever ways.

Anyone else familiar with it?

Mine is the very traditional pretzel-shaped one and made with saffron, almonds and raisins, and way too many other things that I don't eat on a regular basis.

---