Balkan Cuisine

Classic dessert from the Balkans featuring apples poached in sugar syrup and filled with a rich walnut mixture. Ingredients (Serves 4–6) For the apples: 4–6 medium firm apples (e.g., Golden Delicious) 500 ml water 150 g sugar 1 cinnamon stick For the walnut filling: 100 g walnuts, finely chopped 2–3 tbsp sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract For the topping: 150 ml heavy cream, whipped Optional: ground cinnamon or powdered sugar Preparation Prepare the apples: Peel apples, leaving the

Custard cream cake with a puff pastry base, popular in Croatia and Serbia. Ingredients (Serves 6–8) For the puff pastry: 2 sheets of puff pastry (homemade or store-bought) For the custard cream: 500 ml milk 4 egg yolks 100 g sugar 40 g cornstarch 1 tsp vanilla extract 50 g butter Optional topping: Powdered sugar Preparation Bake the pastry: Preheat oven to 200°C (390°F). Place puff pastry sheets on a baking tray and prick with a fork. Bake 12–15 minutes until golden and crisp

Deep-fried dough soaked in sugar syrup, a crispy and sweet treat common in Bosnia and Serbia. Ingredients (Serves 6–8) For the dough: 250 ml water 50 g butter 1 tbsp sugar Pinch of salt 150 g all-purpose flour 2 eggs 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional) For the syrup: 200 g sugar 150 ml water 1 tsp lemon juice 1 tsp rose or orange blossom water (optional) For frying: Vegetable oil Preparation Prepare the syrup: Combine sugar, water, and lemon juice in a saucepan. Bring to a boil,

Layers of filo pastry filled with chopped nuts, sweetened with syrup or honey; popular across the Balkans. Ingredients (Serves 4–6) Ingredients (Serves 6–8) For the pastry: 250 g phyllo dough 150 g unsalted butter, melted For the filling: 200 g walnuts, finely chopped (or a mix of walnuts, pistachios, almonds) 50 g sugar 1 tsp ground cinnamon For the syrup: 200 g sugar 150 ml water 100 g honey 1 tsp lemon juice 1 cinnamon stick (optional) Preparation Prepare the filling: Mix