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The Logic of Food: Best Croatian Desserts


The word "dessert" actually comes from the meaning to desert the dining room and move to the drawing or entertainment room for some sweets and drinks.




I've tried frutele on the streets, berry strudels from bakeries, and to our amazement, these three places offered desserts that brought wonders to our eyes and tantalizing bewilderments. The cakes are ranked based on execution, look and finally taste. Being a baker myself, it is always interesting to dissect and analyze how the different ingredients string to harmony.

Here are our top recommendations:

[------Creme de la Creme-------] Split
Honestly, I've only been back to this store twice, and basically ransacked through its latest season of cake collection from Cake Opera to Tiramisu to its Charlotte. You name it.

1. Tarte od Jakube (Apple Crumble Tart) 
I've had apple strudels and tarts in Austria, the city of dessert, but I have never had an apple tart as good as this. The tart shell is crusty, easily broken by fork (unlike some thick, harden shells that I could almost break the plate just to eat it). The bottom layer is coated with caramel, which balances off perfectly with the acidity of the cinnamon apples, cooked to tenderly perfection. It is then topped with almond and crumbles, giving it an additional kick of pizzazz.



 2. Splitska Torta (Dried Fig cake)
I've been told that Pet Bunara has the best dried fig cake, but I want to highlight that the ones served at Creme de la Creme has set high bar of standard. It tastes almost like carrot cake with in-between layers of sponge cake of raisin, walnuts, dried fig, nutmeg and honey as well as buttercream. Such a festive cake, and perfectly suitable for Christmas celebration in my opinion.








[--------Pet Bunara---------]  Zadar

 3. Pistachio Cheesecake
I've never been a big fan of cheesecake, but this was a homerun because it broke all conventions that the crust of a cheesecake needs to be thin. In fact, the crust of this cheese cake is about 1.5cm and it did not bother me a single bit. The crust is dense and creamy at the same time, which somehow melts into your mouth instantly with its light and airy pistachio cream cheese mousse. The pistachio dressing on top is rich, but not overpowering, in fact, it accentuates the cream and marks the high tone of this dessert!




[--------Kod Damira ---------] Stari Grad

4. Marmalade Crepe 
This is a commoner's food, but it is delightful nonetheless. The crepe is crispy around the edges, and soft on the inside with marmalade oozing out from the crispy edges. Egg, milk, butter and marmalade. Simple ingredients, big pleasure.














Other worth mentioning and trying:

- Forum Bakery's Marmalade roll 



 - Samobor Kremsnita (Custard vanilla cream cake)
- Makovnjaca Poppy seed cake 
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[SPLIT, CROATIA] Day 1: Diocletian Palace, Bell Tower, Paristyle,Jupiter's Temple, Riva Waterfront Promenade, Art Square


9.23 Day 1: Diocletian Palace, Bell Tower, Paristyle, Jupiter's Temple, Riva Waterfront Promenade, Art Square 



Visiting a place is like connecting the dots, and the world is not so far apart, as we find how we are all interlinked to each other in one way or another. 

Took a 9987km flight from Taipei, Taiwan to Split, Croatia, to search for the beauty of the Dalmatia island, the pearl of the Aegean Sea. 

This is the place where the Roman Emperor Diocletian landed his foot and built the palace in 4th century, only to abandon it later. The Diocletian palace, one of UNESCO heritage, is one of the world's oldest and most complete Neoclassical architecture. In the 7th century, civilians took hold of the palace to defend the Turks, and this is how it has developed into an M.C. Escher-like staircases, narrow corridors, of each and every turn into a surprising view of Cafes and piazza. 


The Peristyle, is a Roman court where the commoners prostrates to the Emperor. Like all kings, Diocletian has an infactuation to become god, and to be adorned by the commoners. This is next to the Catherdral of St. Dujam and the Bell Tower. Right in front of it is the Vestibule, an entrance to the Emperor's apartment which is filled with statues and marble slabs during its glorious times. Today, it's a great place for A capella performances. To its right, you will also find the Temple of Jupiter, which is one out of the three temples that remains today. 



You will also pass by the "Let Me Pass" street, one of the narrowest street that women rallied in the old days, as they yearn to exchange glances with male suitors or the hope of meeting one. 

There is also the "Fruit Square", which has he remnant walls built by Venetians in the 15th century. Although there are no long fruit stands, there is a fresh fruit smoothie cafe here to sustain its name. 

The higlight of today's roaming about, would be the Bell Tower. The view is gorgeous and it is no wonder why the Games of Thornes have chosen to shoot their scenes here, but it is also one of the most daunting task (for me) because these staircases are hollow! A misstep and your camera or sunglasses goes down, down and down. Not to mention the psychological impact that just charges an excessive amount of Adrenaline. 

Close to the Golden gate is the 6ft tall statue of Bishop Gregory Nin by the celebrated sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. It is said that touching his toe gives goodluck and happiness. 

As it gets closer to sunset, the cooling breeze makes the Riva waterfront an ideal place for strolling and people watching. There are many foodstands that sell the traditional snack "Fruitule", which is like a chewy deep fried donut ball. 

Because of its close alliance with the Holy Roman Empire, the influence of Italian cuisine is great. Everywhere on the street you will find gelato (but not really worth trying), pizza and bruschetto. There are lots of arts and craftstores, and shops selling Lavender soap and olive oil. I've already heard that Lavender is a big thing on the Hvar Island, and I cannot wait to go there tomorrow! 













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