Grašnjaki

Grašnjaki is a festive sweet treat originating from Rukavac, a small place located above the Croatian city of Opatija. These little fritters are filled with a combination of local chestnuts (maruni), butter, cinnamon, sugar, and a bit of melon liqueur. The dough is traditionally made with flour, eggs, salt, sugar, vanilla sugar, yeast, milk, and margarine. Once filled, these fritters are fried in hot oil, then dusted with powdered sugar. Although grašnjaki are so delicious that some wish to prepare them at least once a month, they are especially popular during the carnival season and Christmas.