One exciting thing to look forward to while visiting Prague for Christmas is the sheer amount of treats available. Trdelnik is one of the best treats in Prague and is often known as the âtourist delightâ. Trdelnik or âCesky Trdelnikâ loosely translates to âCzech spindle cakeâ in English, and itâs a delightful pastry thatâs often seen as a national pride. This tasty pastry is basically made of thin dough thatâs rolled over a spindle and glazed with caramelized sugar, cinnamon and crushed nuts are also added. Once cooked over open coals – as though on a grill, youâll have a tasty cylindrical treat ready to munch.
The Story Behind Trdelnik
Although Trdelnik is largely considered to be a national pride – after all itâs literally called âCzech cakeâ. But it has a rich history that goes beyond the city of Prague. Trdelnik derives its name from the spindle or âtrdloâ that the dough is wrapped around.
Before Trdelnik found its way to Prague, and way before it became a national pastry, Trdelnik was a common pastry found in several parts of Europe. Its earliest origin dates back to the mid-19th century in Slovakia. It was a regular treat that followed the same process – rolling dough on a spindle and cooking it on open fire.
By the 20th century, Trdelnik had found its way to Moravia. As Trdelnik crossed various borders, its name remained constant though in varying languages – it was simply the âspindle cakeâ which was a testament to how itâs made. It wasnât until the 21st century that Trdelnik became really popular in Prague thanks to tourists who fell in love with the pastry. It even got an upgrade as most cafes in Prague began selling it with ice cream filling.
In all, Trdelnik became a national treat – âCzech cakeâ after most Czech street vendors began cooking and modifying Trdelnik as a major treat for tourists. Now, thereâs nowhere youâd go to in Prague that you wonât find a Trdelnik vendor.
The Best-hidden Spots in Prague For The Most Delicious Trdelnik (Avoid Tourist Traps)
Here are 5 of our favorite secret spots in Prague serving you some of the city’s greatest Trdelnk. Your taste buds will appreciate this fine assortment.
U KajetĂĄna
U KajetĂĄna is considered to be one of the best places to get a trdelnik in all of Prague.
In addition to being conveniently located between the city center and Prague Castle, the high quality of its trdelnik also contributes to its reputation as an authentic, hidden gem.
Location:Nerudova 248/17, 118 00 MalĂĄ Strana
Good Food Chimney Cake
You can find TrdelnkĂĄrna not far from Charles Bridge; they have delicious trdelniks that can be complemented by ice cream, whipped topping, caramel, and sometimes a fresh fruit . In addition to their Prague bakery, they additionally have spots in Romania, Bahrain, as well as Saudi Arabia.
Location: Karlova 160/8, Prague 1 (Old Town)
Karlova
Karlova is a tiny store well known for having the best trdelnik throughout all of Prague. The only thing that can be said for sure is that they’re amazing.
Karlova’s ice cream add-ons, such as a little cherry topping and even the odd Nutella – ice cream mix, are a great plus besides the location.
Location: Staré Msto at Karlova 190/1, 110 00
CeletnĂĄ
If you’re looking for an excellent trdelnik in Prague, you should head to CeletnĂĄ. A good buy, especially considering the multifaceted nature of the servings.
There will be enough for you to indulge in, like whipped cream, Nutella and hazelnuts, cane sugar, as well as ice cream. A location that is both non-touristy and a hidden gem.
Location: 565/26, 110 00 StarĂ© MÄsto
Krusta
The Kursta bakery in Prague’s first district, serves up some of the city’s finest trdelnik. Certainly among the best, if not the best. Indulge yourself for 60 crowns. What is its main advantage? Krusta is open until 3 in the morning. Treat yourself at any time of the day.
Location: Karlova 146/23, 110 00
How Is Trdelnik Prepared?
Trdelnik is mostly prepared on open coal, but you can prepare it in an oven too. To get started, you need to prepare your yeast-based dough. Youâll need flour, milk, butter, eggs, sugar, yeast, lard and a pinch of salt.
Step 1: Heat up your milk in a container until itâs lukewarm
Step 2: Then add your yeast and a bit of sugar and stir.
Step 3: Leave the mix for 10 minutes while the yeast does its work.
Step 4: Pour your floor in a bowl, add sugar, a pinch of salt and egg yolk.
Step 5: Allow your butter and lard to melt a bit then pour into the bowl and mix well.
Step 6: Then pour the yeast-based milk and mix until everything blends smoothly. Now itâs time to wrap your down in thin strips around your âtrdloâ.
Step 7: While you may not have a traditional âtrdloâ, you can use a spindle or any smooth cylindrical stick. Before wrapping the dough around your spindle, wrap the spindle with a foil and rub with butter.
Step 8: Then roll and flatten the strips of dough, and place it in your oven to preheat for 20minutes at 180`C.
Step 9: Once your Trdelnik has finished baking, add a caramelized sugar glaze generously around it. You can also add edible sprinkles to your glaze to give you a richer taste.
Yes, you can definitely get Trdelnik in Prague
Trdelnik is an amazing pastry thatâs peculiar to Prague thanks to the skillful street food vendors. Itâs one of the many wonders of Prague, and a must-have especially at Christmas. While you can try making it at home, it canât be compared to the tasty treats made by Prague street food vendors.Prague is a beautiful place, with coffee to die for. I think this day would be best spent with coffee and sweets first, then later shopping and coffee again.
Prague offers a variety of breakfast options, ranging from traditional Czech dishes to international favorites. CafĂ© Savoy is known for its lavish spreads, while CafĂ© Louvre offers traditional Czech sandwiches and omelets. For a healthy start, Momoichi Cafe is the best choice, serving plant-based meals. Czech food culture is centered around hearty fare like goulash and svĂÄkovĂĄ, and beer is also a beloved part of Czech culinary tradition. No culinary journey in Prague would be truly satisfying without indulging in the delicious treat known as trdelnĂk.
