Five authentic Croatian deserts you must taste

In some of our previous blogs we introduced you to several delicacies from Croatian culinary and wine tradition, including the five best Croatian wines and five Dalmatian dishes you must taste. In the following paragraphs we would like to describe a few Croatian deserts that will surely sweeten your day.

The Rab Cake (“Rapska torta”)

This traditional desert is a the undisputed centrepiece of every holiday feast and every important festivity at the island of Rab. The traditional recipe has long been shrouded in secrecy, and despite the fact that you can find many different recipes for the Rab Cake and make it yourself, many claim that you can only experience the real taste of this desert at Rab. The cake consists of a rich almond filling wrapped in thin pastry that takes a delicate, almost lace-like shape under the skilled hands of Rab’s grandmothers and pastry chefs. The beauty of this cake is surpassed only by its delicious taste.

The Blatska Lumblija Cake

Blatska lumblija, originating in the town of Blato, is an important traditional cake and part of the cultural heritage of the island of Korčula. Traditionally, this desert was only prepared for All Saints Day, in memory of all loved ones who have departed from this world. Today, lumblija is an important part of the culinary experiences offered on Korčula, and it is also a favourite among tourists. Lumblija is prepared from ingredients that were once considered very precious: walnuts, almonds and raisins, as well as nutmeg, cinnamon and clove. The main ingredient, however, is “varenik” – cooked grape must. The desert is baked as a sweet bread, and it remains soft and delicious for a month.

The Međimurska Gibanica Cake

The gibanica cake is another rich and flavourful traditional cake, but it comes from the north of Croatia. Traditionally, it was prepared for holidays and important festivities, but today you can find it in many restaurants in the continental parts of Croatia. It is prepared from thinly rolled dough and four types of filling: apples and cinnamon, poppy seeds and raisins, sweet cheese filling, and walnut and milk filling. The rich and full tastes of this desert complement each other, and we can definitely understand why it was considered the centrepiece of every feast in the past.

Korčulanske Spomilje Cookies

This traditional dessert from the island of Korčula is prepared using simple ingredients, but their combination is powerful and unforgettable. The cookies made from whisked egg whites and lemon juice are complemented with a whole almond, and their refined taste is what made the pastry chef who discovered this ancient recipe famous. You should definitely try spomilje cookies and discover why this desert gained so many awards.

The Zagorska Zlevanka Cake

This simple traditional cake is prepared using ingredients that were always available in every North Croatian household of old: corn flour, eggs, milk, cheese and sour cream. The preparation is very simple: you mix all the ingredients together, and then pour the mixture into a baking tray. Every household has its own recipe for this filling cake, and cooks were known to add other ingredients they got their hands on in order to add another flavour or just to do something new.