Top 15 Most Popular Macedonian Desserts
If there’s one thing that Macedonia is known for, it’s food. The small Balkan country boasts a long tradition of comfort foods such as burek, musaka, ajvar, and other tasty treats.
Apart from enjoying the beautiful nature and warm smiles from the people you meet, you’ll probably return home with a vivid memory of the variety of mouth-watering foods you tasted, and a couple of extra pounds!
If you’re looking to experiment with sweets, then look no further. Macedonian desserts are representative of the Balkans, with Turkish, Greek, and Middle Eastern influences, as well as, to a lesser extent, Italian, Mediterranean, and Hungarian.
Here are some desserts typical of the Macedonian region and frequently consumed. Make them, enjoy them, and share them with friends. They won’t last long.
1. Halva
In Macedonia, halva can be found in several varieties. The most popular is the halva made from semolina flour. It is prepared with oil (usually vegetable), semolina flour, water, and sugar. Depending on the region, it is called “bridal halva” or “old man’s halva.”
This halva was an inevitable part of weddings and other celebrations in the past.
Another popular type of halva is the “Izmir halva,” brought from Izmir, Turkey. It’s a chocolate halva made from flour, cocoa, sugar, and peanuts. This halva is also called “black halva” and is usually home-prepared. The “taan (tahini) halva” is the most widespread, while the halva from the city of Negotino is considered the most popular.
2. Bajadera
Bajadera is a favorite among Macedonian people. It’s made by adding sugar and water to a mixture of biscuits, nuts, and butter. This mixture is divided into two, one half becoming brown with the addition of chocolate, and the other half remaining light.
These two mixtures are placed on top of each other, resulting in two layers of simple deliciousness. Then the cake is covered with chocolate, making it even more decadent.
This dessert is very straightforward to make, and people love it when you bring them a box full of these tasty treats. Bajaderas can be pretty greasy but can also be made a little healthier by using margarine instead of butter.
3. Compot
Compot, one of Macedonia’s most ancient and popular desserts, is an old way of preserving fruit. It is made by cooking berries or other fruits, nuts, vegetables, and even flowers in sugar syrup. Other sweeteners, such as honey or molasses, are used in some traditional recipes in place of sugar.
Compot is similar to jam, except that the fruit is not macerated, and no thickener is added. It is characterized by a thick but transparent syrup that has the natural color of the fruit.
People drink it in the summer as a refreshment and to warm their insides in the winter. What’s not to love?
4. Grape Majun
A characteristic old dessert in Macedonia is majun, obtained from grape juice. It has an original taste and aroma and is known to be beneficial for your health.
In the past, sweets and cakes were made with this juice. Majun is a traditional and national Macedonian product mass-produced until the widespread sale of white sugar.
It was primarily produced in the wine-growing regions of Macedonia, of which the most famous is the Tikvesh region. Majun is made from both white and red grape varieties, usually the milder varieties from which much more majun can be “squeezed out.”
In addition to being a sweet and tasty dessert, this pure organic food is increasingly in demand as a medicine.
5. Baklava
You can’t discuss Macedonian desserts and not mention baklava. If we were to survey people in the Balkan countries today asking what is your favorite dessert? I’m sure that one of the most common answers would be baklava. And believe me, that’s not accidental.
This dessert has a special status in Balkan cuisine. The baklava made here has a unique flavor, whether made at home or bought from the local pastry shop. In this region, the most significant religious holidays, Christian and Muslim, are celebrated with a good piece of baklava. It’s a food that brings people closer.
Although there are several versions of the original recipe, Macedonians like the classic with walnuts, which will satisfy even the pickiest lovers of sweet things.
6. Wild Fig Jam
Intense green fruits, pear-shaped, which never reach full maturity are the “raw material” for this wild fig dessert. It is another traditional recipe for which Macedonia has become recognized at world food fairs.
The older generation Macedonians “tailored” the recipe, and the young people carefully nurture it.
It is central to an age-old tradition in Macedonia; when guests visit, the host serves a little bowl of this jam. It’s a sign of welcome, friendship, and hospitality.
7. Pelte (Corn Starch Pudding)
Pelte is a traditional Macedonian pudding made from corn starch. Lately, young gastronomes have largely forgotten this dessert.
But in the Macedonian villages, you can still find elders who prepare this wonderful sweet. It’s straightforward to make; you only need starch, water, and sugar. Usually, different fruits are added to the mixture, such as quince or apples.
8. Poppyseed Pie
The poppy seed is widespread in Macedonia. In the past, in times of famine, people in Macedonia tried to make desserts with what they had at their disposal, and that would often be poppy seeds.
Poppy seed pie has a crispy soft dough base, a rich layer of poppy seed filling, and crunchy meringue snow on top. A delicious traditional cake that will delight all your senses.
9. Ravania
This delicious recipe has been a staple in Macedonian cuisine for a long time. And not only in Macedonia. Ravania is made all over the Balkans.
In different parts of Macedonia, it can be found with different names, such as ravanija, steamed cake, or sponge cake… Whatever it’s called, the main characteristic is that it is made with eggs and semolina and is soaked with hot sorbet.
Pro-tip: Eat it with coffee or tea; you won’t regret it.
10. Kadaif
Like baklava, kadaif is a traditional Macedonian dessert that originated in the Ottoman Empire. But Macedonians have their own unique, lean kadaif, traditionally made and served during the Orthodox holiday of Quinquagesima (forgiveness).
Kadaif is made from fine strands of dough with a filling of ground almonds or walnuts and sugar syrup. This filling mass is seasoned with cinnamon and cloves and wrapped in the dough threads. After baking and cooling, the kadaif is soaked in а lemon sugar syrup.
11. Roasted Pumpkin
This beautiful, delicious, nutrition-packed dessert is popular during all winter holidays and celebrations. Roasted pumpkin pieces can be topped with sugar or honey and crushed walnuts and hazelnuts. You can make it in a million ways, every single one hitting close to your heart.
12. Sutlijas
Sutlijas, the famous rice pudding prepared from cooked rice in candied milk, is certainly not unknown the world over. But the Macedonian sutlijas is unique in that it consists of rice cooked in water and sweetened with honey.
It’s often sprinkled with crushed or chopped walnuts or hazelnuts, and the urban variant would be with grated chocolate. Before you say to yourself, “I’m not eating pudding without milk,” hear us out. Sutlijas is a centuries-old recipe that Macedonian field workers especially enjoyed.
It gave them the energy to go about their day with vigor. You don’t need milk to enjoy a nice cup of pudding. Try this treat, and thank us later.
13. Pumpkin Pie
In the Macedonian language, pumpkin pie, or tikvarnik, is a simple pie filled with pumpkin. It’s considered an expensive food and is served as a traditional dessert in many ethno-restaurants.
Every region of Macedonia has its unique addition to this simple pie, such as honey, sherbet or some jam.
Many elite restaurants in Macedonia pride themselves on having “the best” pumpkin pie in the country. And although they all make a great pie, none of them can compete with the homemade tikvarnik that the old Macedonian grandmas make.
14. Bombici
Bombici, or small bomb cakes, are balls or cubes of boiled ground corn. Before forming the balls, the mixture can be dressed up with countless additions, such as chopped walnuts or almonds, dried figs, raisins, or jelly.
They are often served to guests as a traditional treat. One quickly gets addicted to them.
15. Vasina Cake
The good old vasina cake is the real queen of cakes. Many Macedonians grew up with its recognizable taste because it used to be one of the most commonly made cakes for birthdays and various holidays.
They say that what is sachertorte in Vienna is vasina cake in Macedonia. The cake is prepared by baking a sponge cake enriched with fresh orange juice. Then, while the dough absorbs the squeezed juice, it is covered with a rich filling of walnuts and chocolate.
When people in Macedonia hear the name vasina cake, they are instantly reminded of their childhood. It’s a dessert that echoes union and togetherness with its delicious taste.
Final Thoughts
Macedonian desserts and sweets are treats that bring people together. Most of the desserts on this list are prepared with love, and people who leave the country always want them again. Although they are rich and decadent, try some of them out. At the least, they’ll put a smile on your face, and maybe you can enjoy them with friends and family as Macedonians usually do.
Related: The Most Popular Macedonian Foods
Related: Most Popular Macedonian Drinks
