Rýžový nákyp is a traditional and Slovak rice pudding that is often served as the main course. It consists or rice cooked in milk that is chilled and combined with egg yolks, sugar, butter, vanilla, and beaten egg whites. The mixture is later mixed with fruit, topped with a thick layer of beaten egg whites, and baked until completely set.
It is usually made with cherries or peaches, and the fruit is occasionally dispersed between the layers of rice. Although it is a sweet dish, it is mostly eaten as a second course or as the main dish. Rýžový nákyp is usually preceded by a hearty bowl of soup.
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Čupavci are traditional Croatian cakes that are also popular in Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and throughout the Balkans under different names. They consist of a sponge cake that is dipped in chocolate and sprinkled with finely desiccated coconut. Čupavci are extremely popular due to their climate suitability as they don't dry out when cut into bite-sized squares and covered in coconut.
A very similar cake can also be found in Australia and New Zealand in many supermarkets, cafés, and bakeries, and it's known as lamington, but this variety is often made with a layer of fruit jam, unlike its European counterpart. In Croatia, čupavci are a Christmas staple.
Medvedie labky are traditional Slovakian cookies consisting of flour, butter, eggs, and walnuts. The dough is placed into molds so that the baked cookies look similar to bear paws, hence the name. After the bake, the cookies are typically dusted with powdered sugar, but there are also versions where the cookies’ ends are dipped into melted chocolate.
Medvedie labky are especially popular during the festive Christmas season, and it is believed that they taste even better after a day or two if stored in an airtight container.
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Makowiec is the Polish name for poppy seed roll, a traditional cake where poppy seed paste is placed between layers of dough. Raisins, almonds, honey, and orange peel can be added to the cake in order to enhance its flavors. Ideally, makowiec should not be too sweet.
It is characterized by its unique appearance when cut, with the dough and the poppy seed filling winding around each other in a spiral. When served, makowiec is usually dusted with powdered sugar. The cake is often consumed alongside tea or coffee, and it is typically prepared for festivities such as Christmas or other winter holidays.
Žemlovka is a traditional and Slovak baked dessert consisting of sliced bread that is layered with various fruits. It is usually made with soft white bread rolls or bread (most often veka), which are soaked in sweet, vanilla-flavored milk.
Bread slices are used as the top and the bottom layer, while the center is filled with flavorful fruit combinations. Traditionally, žemlovka is made with cinnamon-spiced apples, but peaches, pears, and plums are also commonly used in the dessert. Some varieties often incorporate raisins or quark cheese and the dish is sometimes topped with a creamy meringue.
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. For the “5 Worst Rated Slovak Desserts” list until February 15, 2025, 1,790 ratings were recorded, of which 1,372 were recognized by the system as legitimate. 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.