25 Croatian Desserts You Can’t Miss (#25 wowed me!)

Croatian desserts are as beautiful as the scenery of Istria and Dubrovnik, two of Croatia’s most famous tourist destinations.

If you want to discover some traditional desserts from these locations and beyond, you’re in the right place!

Feel the warmth of the Adriatic sun as you bite into a slice of Stonka Torta! Navigate the labyrinth of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, where charming cafes unveil treasures like Rožata!

I can’t wait to share all these comforting flavors with you!

25 Croatian Desserts

I love light and fruity desserts so my recommendation is #8 “Ledeni Vjetar”.

If you want something truly unique and brave, I believe you should try #10 “Paprenjaci” and #25 “Stonska Torta”. But it’s up to you!

Kremšnita (Cream Slice)

Delightful custard slices called kremšnita have their roots in the charming town of Samobor and are a classic Croatian treat.

Kremšnita strikes the ideal combination of flaky crust and creamy textures with its layers of puff pastry, silky custard cream filling with meringue, and a coating of powdered sugar.

Another version of this dessert is from the capital city of Zagreb, where it is known as ” Zagreb kremšnita.” It is slightly different from the original Samobor version, as it does not have meringue on top and is topped with chocolate glaze.

Rožata

Featuring a distinctive caramel flavor, rozata is a classic custard pudding originating from the Dubrovnik region. The custard in this dessert, which is similar to flan or crème caramel, is velvety smooth and created with eggs, sugar, and milk.

A splash of rose liqueur or water adds a subtle taste. As a finishing touch, a delicious caramel glaze is added, making it a stunning sweet treat.

Palačinke (Croatian Crepes)

Thin Blakan-style crepes called palačinke are a popular Croatian dessert. They can be filled with a range of ingredients.

The fillings can be sweet like jam, nuts and chocolate or savory like cheese, meat, or veggies.

Skradinska Torta (Skradin Cake)

Skradin Cake, also known as Skradinska Torta, is a traditional Croatian sweet dish originating from the town of Skradin.

Skradin cake was traditionally made for weddings and ceremonies as well as for holidays.

This traditional cake has a powerful and rich flavor achieved with the combination of eggs, walnuts, and almonds and topped with chocolate glaze.

When you add honey, orange and lemon zest, rose liqueur, prosecco, and rum, it becomes much more apparent what makes Skradinska Torta so special.

Fritule

A popular treat throughout the holiday seasons, particularly Christmas, fritule are little doughnut-like pastries that are deep-fried.

Enjoy these little delicious treats that are bursting with flavor thanks to a batter enhanced with rum, raisins, and citrus zest and topped with powdered sugar.

Orehnjača

The Croatian walnut roll, known as orehnjača, is a sweet bread that is filled with a delicious walnut filling.

Rolling out the dough thinly and wrapping it around a tasty mixture of ground walnuts, sugar, and spices creates an amazing treat for special occasions.

Sliced into rounds, baked orehnjača unveils a swirl of nutty goodness in every bite.

Makovnjača

Makovnjača is another Croatian sweet roll but made with poppy seeds. The filling of this roll is created with ground poppy seeds, sugar, and occasionally honey or aromatic spices, and its preparation is similar to that of orehnjača.

After it’s cooked, the makovnjača is cut into rounds, revealing its lovely spiral pattern.

We have a similar kind of poppy seed roll in Ukraine called “makivnyk.” You can learn more about it in my guide to Ukrainian sweet desserts.

Ledeni Vjetar (Icy Wind Cake)

The refreshing flavor of this beloved dessert, known as “Ledeni Vjetar” is created by combining bananas, strawberries, and kiwi with soft meringue crusts, buttercream, and whipped cream.

Ledeni Vjetar is one of the desserts whose popularity never fades, and you can rely on it whenever you need a light and creamy cake with fruit.

You can make this Croatian cake with your fruit of choice. For example, I like the idea of adding some peaches.

Rapska Torta (Rab Cake)

Traditional Croatian pastry Rapska Torta, also known as Rab Cake, has its roots on the island of Rab.

This rich cake is often cooked in a spiral shape and has ground almonds and Maraschino liqueur as its primary ingredients.

Paprenjaci

Honey and black pepper come together in an unusual combination in these traditional biscuits from Croatia.

Various fragrant spices (clove, cinnamon, nutmeg), nuts (walnuts, hazelnuts), eggs, and butter or fat are the main ingredients.

The ingredients aren’t the only thing that makes Paprenjak special; the biscuits’ mould-pressed designs featuring gingerbread me, stars, etc. are also a unique aspect.

Medenjaci

Medenjaci are gingerbread honey cookies from Croatia that are commonly eaten during holidays. The dough for these cookies is enhanced with honey, gingerbread and other spices.

They are then formed into a variety of patterns, frequently representing symbols or shapes associated with Christmas.

Paradižot (Paradise Cake)

Paradižot and Snenokle are Croatian versions of the classic French dessert, floating island or île flottante.

It’s a classic summer dessert made of poached meringue served floating on custard cream. The main ingredients are eggs, sugar, milk, and biscuits.

Knedle sa Šljivama (Plum Dumplings)

One of the most popular Croatian desserts, Knedle sa Šljivama, is a kind of dumplings that is produced by encasing whole plums in a dough mixture that usually includes potatoes or semolina.

After being cooked in water until soft, these dumplings are rolled in a mixture of breadcrumbs, butter, and sugar. You can enjoy them as a dessert or a sweet entree.

Salenjaci (Lard Puff Pastry)

Made with a dough that includes lard for a particular flavor, Salenjaci are Croatian pastries renowned for their rich and flaky texture.

It is common practice to lay out the dough, fill it with jams, nuts, or a mix of the two, and then fold it into a crescent or spiral shape similar to a croissant.

So if you’re craving croissants with character, look no further than Salenjaci for delectable sweet snacks.

Međimurska Gibanica (Međimurje Layer Cake)

A traditional pastry known as Međimurska Gibanica or Međimurje Layer Cake hails from the Međimurje region.

It has a puff pastry base and four fillings—apples, poppy seeds, fresh cheese, and nuts—plus a plethora of other ingredients.

I like it served warm straight from the casserole but you can also let it cool to room temperature.

Zlevanka (Sweet Corn Pie)

Sweet corn pie, or zlevanka in Croatian, is made by combining cornmeal with milk, eggs, sugar, sour cream, yoghurt, and cream.

Zlevanka, when baked to a golden brown, has a texture that is both slightly spongy and moist. It can be served with jam or filled with poppy seeds or walnuts.

Licitarsko Srce (Licitar Heart)

Licitarsko Srce, also known as the Licitar Heart is a colorfully decorated sweet honey cookie.

These Croatian cookies are made in the shape of a heart and then adorned with colorful icing, which often forms patterns of flowers or messages.

Licitarsko Srce is a popular present because it is both a delicious dessert and a symbol of love and tradition.

Breskvice

Delightful Croatian cookies called Breskvice, usually translated as Peach Cookies, look and taste just like little peaches.

Miniature versions of these delectable delicacies feature a dollop of delicious jam or jelly, often with some ground nuts sandwiched between two pieces of a crumbly, soft cookie.

The cookies are generally shaped like peaches, with a groove down the center and powdered sugar to represent the fuzzy skin.

Pinca

Traditionally baked with a lot of eggs, butter, and sometimes spiced with citrus zest and brandy or rum, Pinca is a beloved Easter bread in Croatia.

Some Pinca recipes include raisins or candied citrus peel. The dough is usually formed into a spherical loaf and adorned with braids or crosses.

If you want to learn more about European Easter foods, check out my article on Ukrainian dishes for Easter.

Kroštule

Kroštule, a form of traditional Croatian pastry, are especially beloved in the Dalmatian region.

You can find these Croatian deep-fried desserts on the menu at many celebrations, including weddings, carnivals, and other festive occasions.

To make a crunchy, flaky crust and a tender center, the dough is deep-fried till golden and then sprinkled with powdered sugar.

Typical shapes include twisted ribbons or bows, though they can take on a variety of forms.

Čupavci

A beloved Croatian treat, Čupavci are referred to as “Čupavci squares” or “Coconut Squares.”

Squares of butter cake or sponge cake are dipped into chocolate sauce and then into a generous amount of desiccated coconut.

The sponge cake absorbs the chocolate layer creating a deliciously simple dessert I can’t wait to make myself.

Hrapoćuša

The traditional Croatian dessert Hrapoćuša comes from the Adriatic Sea island of Brač.

The cake’s basic yet delicious ingredients are nuts (usually almonds or walnuts), sugar, eggs, and zest from a lemon.

The characteristic feature of Hrapoćuša is the crispy top layer made of most of the egg whites, walnuts, and sugar.

Labinjonski Krafi (or Labinski Krafi)

Traditional Labinjonski Krafi are a beloved treat from the Istrian area of Labin that are enjoyed all across Croatia.

The usual combination for the filling is cottage cheese or ricotta, sugar, eggs, ratings and occasionally other flavorings like lemon zest or vanilla.

Once they are shaped, Labinjonski Krafi are cooked to perfection by boiling or quickly cooking until they float to the top.

Traditional accompaniments with savory krafi include butter, grated cheese, or a gravy sauce. Sweet krafi are typically served fried or with a caramel sauce flambéed with homemade brandy.

Krofne

Krofne are classic doughnuts from Croatia. These delicious pastries usually include a variety of sweet fillings and are deep-fried till they turn a golden brown color.

Fruit jam (strawberry, apricot, or raspberry), chocolate cream, vanilla custard, or Nutella are among the most popular fillings. Some krofne are eaten with no filling at all.

Stonska Torta

Stonska Torta, also known as Ston Cake, is a traditional Croatian pasta cake originating from the town of Ston on the Pelješac Peninsula.

This unusual dessert features ziti or penne pasta, tossed in a mixture of ground nuts, and grated chocolate, all dressed in a cake dough.

I think it’s super unique and exciting, especially for a pasta lover like me!

I hope Croatian cuisine has satisfied your sweet tooth! Which Croatian recipes did you like the most?

If you want more recipes from other European countries, check out these ideas:

• 32 Amazing Bulgarian Snacks to learn more about Balkan cuisines!
• 17 Delicious Romanian Desserts for more sweet tastes!
• 18 Original Czech Snacks personally tried and approved!