MAIN INGREDIENTS
A classic Bosnian dessert, gurabija is a type of round, flat shortbread cookie that is usually made with flour, sugar, and oil. This sweet specialty is believed to have oriental origins, and it’s been an essential part of the culture, tradition, and culinary heritage of the entire Balkan.
Although the variations on this dessert abound, the cookies commonly contain eggs, baking powder or baking soda, butter or margarine, and dairy products such as mileram cream, yogurt, or milk. The combination is typically flavored with vanilla powder or vanilla sugar, lemon zest, nuts, and dried fruits.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Smokvara is a traditional dessert hailing from Herzegovina. It is prepared with a dark-brown dough consisting of fig pekmez—a thick syrup-like product—wheat and corn flour, sugar, oil, and water. The dough is shaped into flat disks that are then baked before they are doused in a variety of sherbet that combines pekmez, sugar, and water.
Because of its sweetness, smokvara, whose name stems from the local term for figs (smokve), is best paired with strong Bosnian coffee.
MOST ICONIC Smokvara
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Hurmašica is a Bosnian treat prepared by dousing the pastry dough consisting of butter, eggs, sugar, and flour in lemon-flavored sugar syrup. Just like many other Bosnian dishes, this dessert also came from Türkiye, where its relative is the almost identical kalburabastı.
The distinctive top design of the cookie is achieved by pressing the pastry dough on a grater, while the ingredients can be modified to include desiccated coconut or walnuts. This sweet treat is baked throughout the year, although it is traditionally prepared for important religious holidays.
MOST ICONIC Hurmašica
A favorite homemade treat during the holiday season, orašnice are traditional Bosnian walnut cookies. Everyone has their own version, however, the standard recipe for orašnice only uses three ingredients - egg whites, sugar, and walnuts.
Once all the ingredients have been mixed together, another helping of coarsely ground walnuts is sprinkled on top in order to provide a crunchy outer layer. The cookies are always shaped to look like a horse hoof, and they are then baked in the oven.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
This Bosnian dessert couples shredded kadayıf dough and a rich nut filling, which usually consists of chopped walnuts. Though there are rolled varieties, kadaif is typically layered, with the nut filling placed between the two layers of butter-coated kadayıf threads.
When baked, the dessert is doused in a thick lemon-flavored syrup that is occasionally enriched with cinnamon or cloves. Kadaif has its origins in Turkish culinary tradition, but it has been recognized as a signature Bosnian dessert. It is enjoyed on various special occasions and is best paired with strong Bosnian coffee.
MOST ICONIC Kadaif
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Tufahija is a dessert made from apples which are stewed in water and sugar, stuffed with an almond or walnut cream filling, then shortly baked and doused in sugar syrup. The origin of the dessert is Persian - it came to Bosnia with the Ottomans who ruled the country in the past.
This refreshing treat is traditionally consumed chilled, served in a large glass, and garnished with whipped cream and a cherry on top.
MOST ICONIC Tufahija
Sutlijaš is a popular Bosnian treat consisting of only three main ingredients: rice, milk, and sugar cooked together in the same pot. This flavorful rice pudding is very similar to the Turkish sütlaç, which has been brought to Bosnia during the rule of the Ottoman Empire.
The sweet dish can be consumed warm or cold, and it is recommended to sprinkle it with cinnamon, vanilla, or grated chocolate.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Ružice or đul-pita is a Bosnian baklava variety made with yufka sheets that are filled with ground walnuts, melted butter, and raisins, if desired. The concoction is rolled, then cut into smaller pieces which are subsequently placed in the baking dish so that they resemble roses or rosebuds.
After ružice have been baked, they are doused in syrup consisting of water, sugar, and lemon juice. Due to the sweetness of this dessert, it is recommended to serve it with a cup of strong black coffee on the side.
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.