20 Must-Try Traditional Croatian Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the most popular dessert in Croatia? ›

Few Croatian desserts are as famous as mađarica. This fantastic treat is quite possibly the queen of cakes in Croatia, a delicious chocolate-filled delight that will appeal to everyone. It's a simple dessert consisting of alternating layers of cake dough and chocolate filling.

Kroštule are traditional Croatian pastries originating from the regions of Istria and Dalmatia. They are made by deep-frying ribbon-shaped dough. The dough consists of flour, sugar, egg yolks, oil, and milk. It is traditionally flavored with lemon zest, limoncello, or orange liqueur.

Zagreb embraced the traditional kremšnita (custard slice), a specialty from the nearby town of Samobor, adding whipped cream and chocolate glaze to its own version.

1. Black risotto. Known locally as crni rižot, this is made with cuttlefish or squid, olive oil, garlic, red wine and squid ink, which gives an intense seafood flavour and black colour. Popular all along Croatia's coastline, this dish will turn your mouth and teeth black – but it's worth it.

Some of the most popular Croatian dishes include “crni rizot” (risotto made with black squid ink), “ćevapi” (small grilled meat sausages), “peka” (meat and vegetables cooked under an iron bell), and “punjene paprike” (bell peppers stuffed with minced meat and rice).

Fritule are traditional Croatian version of sweet, round fritters. They are prepared with a basic yeasted dough which incorporates eggs, flour, milk, butter, and sugar. Different varieties often employ raisins, grated apples, yogurt, and baking powder.

You can choose between milk or dark chocolate, and it makes for a tasty treat and wonderful gift to bring back home for your friends and family. Kraš is one of Croatia's more traditional chocolate makers, and its brand Brajadera is one of the best-known in Croatia.

Each season has its fruits and vegetables. Summer season starts with these local fruits: cherries, strawberries, kiwis, apricots, nectarines, peaches, plums and cherries. We'll also find beautiful wild berries such as blueberries, currant, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries.

Croatia's cuisine has many influences, thanks to its central position in Europe. The Mediterranean is one, apparent in the use of tomatoes, eggplants, bell peppers, herbs, olive oil, and abundant seafood. Some of the meatier dishes are a legacy of the central European countries that lie to the east of Croatia.

What is the Croatian food under the bell? ›

Ispod peke, literally translated as under the bell, is a classic feature on many Dalmatian menus. It's not a dish, it's a method of preparation involving slow- cooking under a dome-shaped lid, covered in hot ashes. For a proper peka meal, you should order from the restaurant that morning or even a day in advance.

Samoborska kremšnita is a popular dessert originating from the Croatian town of Samobor. It consists of two layers of puff pastry that are filled with custard cream. A thin layer of whipped cream is sometimes placed on top of the custard.

Kraš is one of Croatia's more traditional chocolate makers, and its brand Brajadera is one of the best-known in Croatia. They have more familiar chocolate combinations such as chocolate nougat, chocolate almonds, and chocolate biscuits.

Croatia is famed for its scenic pebbled beaches, which are beautifully lapped by crystal-clear waters. One of the most well-known is Brac's Zlatni Rat, also referred to as the Golden Cape.

Đurđevečki Pijesci, the remains of the only Croatian desert located in the region known as the “Bloody sand” or “Croatian Sahara” near the city of Đurđevac.