20 Must-Try Traditional Croatian Dessert Recipes (2024)

As I scrolled through this round up of traditional Croatian dessert recipes, I felt my sudden sweet cravings spike and my thoughts take me down memory lane.

20 Must-Try Traditional Croatian Dessert Recipes (1)

TOP 20 of our Favorite Traditional Croatian Dessert Recipes

I’m fortunate to say that many of these tasty treats have been part of my childhood, lovingly prepared by my mom and aunts over the years for just about every ocassion. And although I’ll admit it’s hard to choose just one favorite, I do remember being excited to enjoy a cutting of homemade medena pita.

We’ve separated these recipes into a few different categories including cookies, cakes and other tasty treats. I hope you find your favorite Croatian dessert in this mouth-watering list.

Classic Croatian Cookie Recipes

If you’re looking to make a batch of Croatian cookies, here are a few of our go-to dessert recipes. They not only look beautiful, they taste great!

Medenjaci (Croatian Biscuits)

These traditional Croatian biscuits, known as medenjaci are a sweet and soft honey cookies that pair perfectly along side a cup of tea or coffee.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Slatka Salama (Rolled Wafer Cookies)

Slatka salama is a dessert recipe made from a wafer loaded with a creamy and crunchy filling rolled tightly and cut into bite-sized slices.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Breskvice (Peach Cookies)

With a sweet, soft jam filling sandwiched between two equally round shaped hard cookies and dipped in red and yellow food dye, there are few desserts that look and taste quite like these peach cookies.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Skoljkice (Shell Cookies)

A simple 6-ingredient dessert recipe for making traditional Croatian školjkice cookies.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Kiflice (Crescent Moon Cookies)

A traditional Croatian dessert recipe for making delicious coconut crescent moon cookies as well as bow-shaped cookies with the same dough.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Kiflice (Jam Filled Crescent Cookies)

With a tender flaky pastry and sweet jam filling, this simple kiflice recipe with sour cream is sure to impress.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Delicious Cake Recipes

Croatian cake recipes come in a variety of textures, flavors and shapes. There is bound to be a dessert recipe here for just about everyone t enjoy.

Kremsnite (Custard Cake Slices)

This is one of the most popular desserts in Croatia, made with a thin pastry and a delicious custard filling.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

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Croatian Eggless Apple Cake

This Croatian eggless apple cake with semolina is a must-try! Make magic by layering dry ingredients with apples to yield a delicious and moist cake.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

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Mađarica (Layered Chocolate Slice Cake)

Layers of dough and chocolate make this mađarica a Croatian dessert staple.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

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Cupavci (Chocolate and Coconut Covered Cake)

This Croatian dessert is made with squares of butter or sponge cake and then coated with chocolate and coconut.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

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Apple Pita (Pie)

Filled with luscious cinnamon apples between layers of buttery pastry, this delicious pita is a favorite Croatian dessert.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Medena Pita (Layered Honey Cake)

Delicious dessert recipe consisting of layers of sponge cake, cocoa cookie and cool creamy filling.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Cocoa Apple Cake Recipe

A deliciously moist cocoa apple cake recipe loaded with raisins and chopped walnuts for added flavor and texture.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Kuglof (Bundt Cake)

A classic vanilla bundt cake with swirls of cocoa for a marvelous marbled cake taste to enjoy on it’s own or with a cup of coffee or hot tea.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Sour Cherry Cake

Check out this recipe for making the ultimate delicious and moist sour cherry yogurt cake.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Donuts and Other Sweet Treats

And we can’t forget those fresh, homemade donuts that we all know and love as well as a few other traditional Croatian desserts included at the bottom of the list. Enjoy!

Fritule (Fritters)

Easy to follow recipe for making these perfectly-imperfect donuts at home.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Krofne (Donuts)

Deep fried to golden perfection with a fluffy, moist center and lightly dipped in sugar, makes these krofne a real treat to enjoy.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Sugar Twist Donut

Deep fried to a perfectly golden crust with a soft moist center, the sprinkled sugar coating is simply icing on the cake.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

Knedle sa Šljivama (Plum Dumplings)

These plum dumplings are made with fresh plums wrapped in dough and coated with sweet, buttery breadcrumbs and cinnamon sugar.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

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Palačinke (Crepes)

With both sweet and savory varieties this palačinke recipe is enjoyed by people of all ages.

GET THE RECIPE HERE!

We’d love to know which one of these delicious desserts are you going to make first? And do you have a favorite Croatian dessert?

Like it? Pin it for later!

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20 Must-Try Traditional Croatian Dessert Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the yummiest dessert in the world? ›

Here are the top 15 desserts in the world to indulge in as you cross the globe.
  1. Gulab jamun, India. Gulab jamun is a popular Indian dessert. ...
  2. Mandazi, East Africa. ...
  3. Key lime pie, US. ...
  4. Mooncakes, China. ...
  5. Kanelbullar, Sweden. ...
  6. Alfajores, South America. ...
  7. Mango sticky rice, Thailand. ...
  8. Pavlova, Australia and New Zealand.

How to make hrostule? ›

directions
  1. Beat eggs and sugar until lemon color.
  2. Add extracts, whiskey and baking powder.
  3. Add butter.
  4. Sift in flour to make dough resembling pie crust dough.
  5. Knead lightly.
  6. Roll very thin.
  7. Cut in strips.
  8. Mix cinnamon and sugar to have ready to sprinkle on Krostule after you deep fry them.

What is the number 1 food in Croatia? ›

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.

What is a delicacy in Croatia? ›

Regional delicacies include oysters (oštrige) from the Limski kanal, and cured ham (pršut), wild asparagus (šparoga) and truffles (tartufi) from the hills inland. Istrian meats, such as kobasice (succulent, fatty sausages) and ombolo (smoked pork loin), are often cooked on the kamin or open hearth.

What are the three most popular desserts? ›

According to Grubhub's "2022 Delivered" report, the top 10 dessert orders in the United States were, in order of popularity: tiramisu, baklava, cookies, cheesecake, brownie, churros, cannoli, carrot cake, chocolate cake and flan.

What is a zillionaire dessert? ›

And Zillionaire may be our finest work yet. The surprise of bronzed sugar. Followed by smooth, rich double chocolate ganache. Then sumptuous treacle cheesecake, floating on a buttery salted caramel, draped over a cocoa biscuit base.

What is the most popular dessert in Europe? ›

Vanilla custard tarts from Portugal, crème brûlée from France, Baklava from Turkey, Victoria Sponge from England, and Tiramisu from Italy are some of the most well-known desserts from Europe.

What is the oldest dessert in history? ›

Ashure (Noah's Pudding) is thought to be the oldest dessert in the world, first made by Noah after his fabled landfall at Mt Ararat.

What nationality has the best desserts? ›

Russia. Russia has some of the best desserts in the world. The country has masterfully mixed traditional and modern flavors. Paskha and varenye are among the most famous Russian desserts.

What chocolate is famous in Croatia? ›

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.

What is the most famous thing in Croatia? ›

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.

Is Croatia known for chocolate? ›

The industry for making Croatian chocolate is a baby in comparison – Europeans only encountered cacao beans in the 16th century, while exploring and colonising the Americas. Still, the production of Croatian chocolate does have quite a history. The oldest maker of Croatian chocolate is Zagreb's Kraš.

What is Croatia famous of? ›

What is Croatia known for? Lying at the junction of central and southeast Europe, Croatia is famed for its nature, culture, history, and gastronomy. One of the country's most iconic assets is Dubrovnik's ancient walls, stretching around the Old Town's churches, palaces, and terracotta rooftops.

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