TOP 17 MOST POPULAR DESSERTS IN MACEDONIA (with recipes)


We Macedonians like to eat sweet things, and we always ask for something sweet especially after lunch. But what Macedonians mostly like to eat  for dessert? I present you the most popular Macedonian desserts with recipes. Enjoy!

1. BAKLAVA 

BAKLAVA IS ANOTHER PASTRY THAT IS TYPICAL OF THE CUISINES OF THE FORMER OTTOMAN EMPIRE. 
TODAY, IT IS ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR DESSERTS IN MACEDONIA. IT IS A RICH SWEET PASTRY MADE OF LAYERS COVERED WITH SHERBET (SYRUP) WHICH SEDUCES WITH IT'S TASTE.


2.RAVANIJA (DOUGH COVERED WITH SHERBET)

Ravanija is an old traditional dessert which is widely prepared in all countries that were under Ottoman empire. It's one of the most delicious desserts, it's easy to prepare and it's a must try sweet.

3. MACEDONIAN SWEET BREAD-KOZINJAK 

I've been searching  for the perfect recipe for kozinjak for years. I have tried many recipes, but this one I can say that is the perfect one.

4. CELUFKI (KISSES)

Kisses or celufki are tasty and easy to make sweets, which evoke childhood memories for me. The word celufki derrives from "celuva", meaning "to kiss". Celufki are remark of Krushevo city, which is known for the best celufki and lokumi in the country. We have friends who live there and I remember they always brought us celufki when came in visit. Oh, those were so happy moments for us-the kids.

5. TATLIJA - BAKED DOUGH POURED WITH SHERBET

A little forgotten recipe from our grandmothers - tatlija. I remember my dad used to use this word tatlija when we were kids and sometimes when we were unhappy with the meal, he would say: "Well, what do you want instead, maybe some tatlija huh?". That was ironically said of course :)

6. KRUSHEVO LOKUM 

Have you ever tried Turkish delight? This tasty delicacy is one of the best marks of Turkey and all ex Ottoman empire territories including Macedonia! The first version of this delight appeared in the late 18th century. There are many different types of lokum, regular, flavored with fragrant roses water, with dried fruit, nuts, coconut etc. The best know lokum in Macedonia is Krushevo lokum where Tagas family are preparing it the same way for one century. 
macedonian lokum recipe


7. GURABII (MOUTH MELTING COOKIES)

This is a recipe from my mother's cookbook, written on those pages where the letters have almost completely vanished, with many oiled parts - meaning, she made them like thousands of times. These delicious cookies just melt in your mouth and are great with your morning coffee.



8. TULUMBA (FRIED PASTRY WITH SYRUP)

Tulumba is a popular dessert found in the cuisines of the former Ottoman Empire. It is a fried pastry soaked in syrup.

9. COOKIES WITH SHERBET (HEDGEHOGS)

 and the tastiest cookies. I believe her in the "tastiest" part, cause I can eat several at once :) These are mouth melting and kids love them because they look like little hedgehogs :)

10. ECLAIRS (EKLERI)

I remember when I was a kid, my mum used to make eclairs a lot. I helped in filling the eclairs with creme and in eating of course :) It's a very popular dessert in Macedonia and you can buy this pastry everywhere. If you want to delight your loved ones with a delicious homemade dessert, here is a simple way to make this puff pastry. 


11.  SEMOLINA HALVA

Halva is a sweet treat served in parts of Asia, Africa, Balkan countries (including Macedonia), some Europian countries and in the Jewish world. There are many types of halva and this is a recipe for semolina based halva and it's delicious.

12. SUTLIJASH (RICE PUDDING)

Sutlijash originates in Turkey, it's a Turkish widely known dessert recipe. Today, it is prepared in every country in the Balkan, including Macedonia. Sutlijash is a family dessert, it's easy to prepare and comes in large quantities.


13.MACEDONIAN APPLE PIE (LAZY PIE)

Macedonian apple pie or lazy pie is a traditional pie, easy to make and delicious. It's ideal for moments when we want to eat something sweet and homemade, but we feel lazy to make it :)

14. CREPES WITH BANANA AND NUTELLA

This is one of the most popular desserts in Macedonia and also a favorite dessert to many.  You canuse this recipe or this one to prepare the crepes. The rest of the ingredients buy from the store.

15. MLECNIK-TRADITIONAL SWEET PIE WITH MILK AND EGGS

 This is a very old recipe from our grandmothers. My mom says that this dessert was a great joy for her when she was a child. Out grandmothers used to prepare the phyllo dough completely by hand in the past. The crust was made extremely carefully and thin till perfection. They would later leave crust to dry, then crush it in pieces and put to bake for some time to dry completely. Nowadays, we use phyllo dough instead, bought from the market or I use homemade pasta. 



16. TIKVARNIK - TRADITIONAL PUMPKIN CAKE

TIKVARNIK OR PUMPKIN CAKE IS A TRADITIONAL CAKE THAT IS COMMONLY PREPARED IN MACEDONIA DURING AUTUMN/WINTER SEASON. I PRESENT YOU A HEALTHY AND TASTY RECIPE OF HOW TO PREPARE THIS AWESOME NO-SUGAR PUMPKIN DESSERT.


17. GREEN FIGS PRESERVE

I'm not very fond of fruit preserves, they're just too sweet in my opinion, but green figs preserve? I justcan't resist it and I always keep a jar or two in my fridge. It has this exotic and kinda oriental note which is magical! Close your eyes while consuming and feel the magic! 

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