Trdelnik is one delicious dessert you are sure to find on every corner of Prague.
It's a traditional Czech pastry dough, wrapped around a stick, rolled in cinnamon-walnut and sugar mixture and baked to a crispy perfection. Does it sound amazing? It sure is!
In this step-by-step Trdelnik recipe I'll tell you all my tips and tricks on how to make the best oven baked Czech Trdelnik. Let's get cooking!
Trdelnik
Believe it or not, this post or better to say this recipe was that close from never happening. Why? I'll tell you in a bit.
My mom was the one who suggested me making Trdelnik recipe for my blog. Since I haven't posted any Czech recipes yet, I liked that idea and was eager to make the recipe ASAP.
But, there was just one thing that kept me from doing it. In fact, it probably took me 4 months before I found a solution to a problem and made Trdelnik at home.
So, what is it?
Trdelnik has a cone shape. The dough is wrapped around a special cylinder stick called Trdlo and baked on the open fire.
Where do I find Trdlo stick?
You have few options here. First - you can find it on Amazon. There's a specifically designed chimney cake stick, like this one. It's a little pricey, but if you're going to use it a lot, it might be worths it.
There're also much affordable versions like these Cannoli molds. They can be used for variety of desserts and would be perfect for making Trdelnik as well.
But you know what?
I found an even cheaper alternative to Trdlo stick. It took me for 4 months to discover this solution, but if you're like me and trying to be frugal where possible, you should totally use my budget version of Trdlo. It totally works. All you need is old magazines and aluminum foil.
Want to see how it works?
Trdelnik Recipe
Before I'll show you a step-by-step detailed recipe how you can make Prague dessert Trdelnik at home, let me ask you something.
Have you ever been to Czech Republic? If not, then you definitely should. It is such a beautiful country, full of history and stunning architecture.
Why do I say this?
In my honest opinion, when people decide where to go on European vacation, Czech Republic is often overlooked.
Tell me I'm wrong, but when many of my American friends went to Europe, they chose more popular travel destinations like France, Spain or Italy. I can't blame them. Those countries are gorgeous.
But you know what?
If you're on a budget but still want to get the most out of your European trip, you should totally visit Czech Republic. You'll spend less than in Paris or Barcelona, but you'll receive as much satisfaction and joy from the trip as from other popular European countries.
I was lucky enough to visit Prague in my early 20s. Although we endured a long 20 hours bus ride to get there, I was absolutely amazed by the beauty of this small country.
Baroque buildings, famous Charle's Bridge, delicious food... No wonder, Prague has become a popular destination for shooting some well known Hollywood movies. Think Casino Royal, The Illusionist and Mission: Impossible.
Astonishing, isn’t it?
Now that I've told you a bit about beautiful Czech Republic, let's get down to business.
Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner.
If you want to try something new, delicious and unusual this holiday season, try Czech Trdelnik.
Don't be intimidated, as I'm going to walk you through the whole process of making this traditional Czech treat.
Success is guaranteed.
Trdelnik Ingredients
To make this Czech pastry Trdelnik, you'll need pantry ingredients:
- all-purpose flour
- granulated sugar
- milk
- active dry yeast
- butter
- eggs
- salt
- cinnamon
- walnuts
In addition, I always recommend using digital scale. It yields better precision than measuring cups. I like this digital scale.
How to make Trdelnik
1. Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, combine 480 grams (about 3 cups) of sifted all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon of yeast and 1 teaspoon of salt.
2. Mix liquid ingredients
In a medium bowl or large glass, whisk together 2 egg yolks, 150 ml of milk and 5 tablespoon of melted butter.
3. Combine the ingredients and let the dough rise
Combine dry and liquid ingredients and mix well. The dough will be quite dense.
Form the dough into a ball, place it in a bowl, cover and let it rise in a warm place until it almost doubles in size.
Note: If the dough is too sticky, you can add a few more tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon at a time.
4. Make Trdlo sticks
Roll old magazine into a stick and secure it with cooking twine. Tightly cover each stick with aluminum foil and tuck edges inside of a magazine. You'll need about 5 sticks.
5. Prepare walnut-cinnamon crumb
Place walnuts into a tightly closed zip-lock bag and pound it with a rolling pin until walnuts are nicely chopped. Transfer the walnuts into a medium bowl and combine them with sugar and cinnamon.
In a small bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Preheat the oven to 390 F.
6. Roll out and cut the dough
When the dough has increased in size, sprinkle working surface with 5 tablespoon of flour and roll the dough into a disk approximately 2-3 millimeters thick.
Using a small knife, cut the disk lengthwise into the ribbons of about 10-15 mm wide.
7. Arrange Trdelnik on a stick
Grease each Trdlo stick with olive oil. Tightly wrap strips of dough around Trdlo sticks making sure each strip slightly overlaps each other.
Each Trdlo stick should fit up to 3 Trdelniks with 1 inch distance between them.
Brush each Czech Trdelnik with the egg white wash and generously coat with a walnut-cinnamon crumb.
8. Bake Trdelnik
Place Trdlo sticks on a rimmed baking dish making sure pastry doesn't touch the bottom or sides of a dish.
Bake Trdelnik for 15-20 minutes until it's golden on each side. Remove Trdelnik from the oven and slowly slide it off the stick!
Enjoy with a drizzling of Nutella, jam or a scoop of ice-cream.
You might also like these unique European desserts
Recipe
Trdelnik
It's a traditional Czech pastry dough, wrapped around a stick, rolled in cinnamon-walnut and sugar crumb and baked to a crispy perfection.
Ingredients
I always recommend using digital scale. It yields better precision than measuring cups. I like this digital scale.
For the pastry
- 480 grams (3 cups) all-purpose flour
- 150 ml (⅞ cups) milk
- 5 tablespoon butter melted and slightly cooled
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 5 tablespoon flour for dusting the working surface
- olive oil for greasing Trdlo sticks
For walnut-cinnamon crumb
- 1 c walnuts
- 5 tablespoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder
Instructions
Mix dry ingredients
- In a large bowl, combine 480 grams (about 3 cups or 16.95 oz) of sifted all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoon sugar, 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Mix liquid ingredients
- In a medium bowl or large glass, whisk together 2 egg yolks, 150 ml (⅞ cups) of milk and 5 tablespoon of melted butter.
Combine the ingredients and let the dough rise
- Add liquid ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix well. The dough will be quite dense.
- Form the dough into a ball, place it in a bowl, cover and let it rise in a warm place until it almost doubles in size.* (Note 1)
Make Trdlo sticks
- Roll old magazine into a stick and secure it with cooking twine. Tightly cover each stick with aluminum foil and tuck edges inside of a magazine. You’ll need about 5 sticks.
Prepare walnut-cinnamon crumb and preheat the oven
- Place walnuts into a tightly closed zipper bag and pound it with a rolling pin until walnuts are nicely chopped. Transfer the walnuts into a medium bowl and mix them with sugar and cinnamon. In a small bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. Preheat the oven to 390 F.
Roll out and cut the dough
- When the dough has increased in size, sprinkle working surface with 5 tablespoon of flour and roll the dough into a disk approximately 2-3 millimeters thick.Using a small knife, cut the disk lengthwise into the ribbons of about 10-15 mm wide.
Arrange Trdelnik on a stick
- Grease each Trdlo stick with olive oil. Tightly wrap strips of dough around Trdlo sticks making sure each strip slightly overlaps each other.
Each Trdlo stick should fit up to 3 Trdelniks with 1 inch distance between them. - Brush each Czech Trdelnik with the egg white wash and generously coat with a walnut-cinnamon crumb.
Bake Trdelnik
- Place Trdlo sticks on a rimmed baking dish making sure pastry doesn’t touch the bottom or sides of a dish. Bake Trdelnik for 15-20 minutes until it’s golden on each side. Remove Trdelnik from the oven and slowly slide it off the stick!
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
If you make this Prague Trdelnik, don't forget to snap a photo and post it on Instagram with a hashtag #lavenderandmacarons.
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Iryna Bychkiv is the founder and writer of the culinary website Lavender & Macarons, where she shares clean, European-inspired recipes that are delicious, easy to prepare, and made with wholesome ingredients. Iryna loves creating meals that are simple yet healthy and unique, including vegan and vegetarian recipes.
Iryna is also a freelance writer for MSN and Associated Press Wire.
Keirston says
This didn't rise since the yeast was not mixed with warm liquid and allowed to sit. Ended up with a really dense, useless ball of dough. Unfortunately this was going to be the start of a new Christmas tradition with my son that ended up in the trash today.
Iryna Bychkiv says
Keirston, thank you for trying the Trdelnik recipe, and I’m so sorry to hear it didn’t turn out as expected! It sounds like there might have been an issue with the dough rising, which can sometimes happen if the yeast doesn’t get activated properly. I truly appreciate your feedback, and I might give this recipe another go to double-check everything and see if any adjustments are needed.
Julia says
It is a traditional Hungarian desert
Suzannah says
150 ml and 7/8 cup of milk are not the same amount. Should it be 3/4 cup?
Iryna says
Hi Suzannah! Sorry for the late response. 7/8 is a typo, the correct amount of milk is 150 ml or about 2/3 of a cup minus 2 tbsp.
Jakub says
While it is good, it is not Czech, it it is made by a Hungarian that lives in Slovakia, and there is nothing Czech or Christmas about it. Just because you see Trdelnik all over Praha, doesn't mean it is their tradition.
Iryna says
Jakub, thank you for your insights! Indeed, Trdelnik was first created in Slovakia and became popular in Czech Republic only in the 21st century. In my post I specifically wanted to address how Trdelnik has become a mainstream product on the streets of Prague. And while's it's not technically a Christmas treat, in my opinion it's a wonderful addition to a Christmas menu:)