What cookie is always found on Balkan cookie trays? Bajadera of course! This simple cookie is the quintessential addition to any sitni kolači tray and is a family favorite around here. In fact, rarely do we have a slava or other special occasion where this recipe isn’t used to prepare a simple yet super delicious cookie. Most recently, I made a tray of these and took them to work. They were a hit and using good old Plazma cookies/biscuits elevate this recipe to the next level.

Bajadera based on my research hails from Croatia. In fact, Kras, a Croatian candy company mass produces chocolate candy by this name. I’m guessing the chocolate came first and then this homemade version was born. Boxes of this delicacy are almost always found in “poslaci” bags, or hostess gift bags when attending a slava, dinner party, or another special occasion. While I’m not a fan of the store-bought version, I LOVE this homemade version. This is another in my series of desserts inspired by candy in the Balkans. Other recipes I’ve shared like this include my Rafaelo Kuglice, Kapri Torta, and Medeno Srce just to name a few. Sound familiar? 🙂

This recipe is no-bake although it does require some heating. All it requires is the heating of a few ingredients and then mixing the liquid with walnuts and Plazma Keks (Plazma biscuits/cookies). Then off it goes to the refrigerator and all you have to do is slice and serve once it chills. Traditionally, these are cut into narrow rectangle pieces and served alongside other cookies (just like the chocolates). Around here we love them just on their own with coffee or tea. They’re so delicious they don’t need other cookies to compliment them.

I hope you give this super easy recipe a try this holiday season. They are foolproof if you follow my instructions closely, and if you have any questions you can always message me over on Instagram. While you’re there, make sure to follow me for even more day-to-day Balkan content!

Bajadera/Bajadera Cookie

Recipe by The Balkan HostessCourse: DessertCuisine: Balkan, Croatian

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Chill time

minutes

A traditional Balkan cookie recipe. Beginner-friendly!

Ingredients

2 sticks (226 g) unsalted butter
2/3 cup (200 ml) water
1 cup (200 g) sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla sugar ( 1 kesica)
3 cups (300 g) ground walnuts (or other kind of nut)
4 cups (400 g) Plazma tea biscuits/cookies (plazma keks)
1/2 teaspoon (3 ml) vanilla extract
2 bars (200 g) dark chocolate
3 tablespoons (45 ml) oil

Directions

In a medium saucepan heat the butter, water, sugar, and vanilla sugar on medium heat until the butter is melted. Once the mixture begins to boil, turn off the heat and remove the saucepan from the burner.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the walnuts, Plazma Keks, and vanilla extract, and lastly pour in the hot liquid. Mix all the ingredients together very well with a spatula.
Divide the mixture in half. Melt 1 bar of chocolate in the microwave or on the stove and add the melted chocolate to one half of the mixture. Mix well to incorporate the chocolate into the batter.
Grease a baking pan very lightly with oil or baking spray. Pour the chocolate half of the mixture into the pan and use a spatula into an even layer. Next, pour the other half (non-chocolate half) on top and spread into an even layer.
In a small saucepan or in the microwave, melt the remaining chocolate with the oil and pour across the top of the cookie batter in an even layer. Shake the pan lightly side to side and forward and back to spread the chocolate evenly.
Place in the refrigerator uncovered for at least 1 hour (I usually prepare it the day before) to set completely.
When set, cut into desired shapes and serve. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.