In Croatia, carnival season would be hard to imagine without krafne — soft, golden doughnuts that appear in bakeries, cafés, offices, and homes across the country.
Made from rich, yeast-leavened dough enriched with eggs, milk, and butter, krafne are left to rise slowly before being deep-fried until perfectly light and airy, with a delicate crust and a pale ring marking the dough’s ideal rise. Once fried, they are traditionally filled with apricot jam, rolled in sugar, or glazed and generously piped with cream.
As Carnival Day and Shrove Tuesday (Pustni utorak) approach, krafne become more than a sweet treat; they turn into a shared ritual and a symbol of indulgence before Lent. Similar treats appear across Europe and beyond — from German Berliner and Austrian Krapfen to Italian bomboloni, Polish pączki, and even the American filled doughnut — each culture adding its own fillings, textures, and traditions. In Croatia, however, krafne are inseparable from carnival time, marking a moment when excess is not only allowed but joyfully celebrated.
In the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday, boxes of krafne are bought for schools, carried into offices, shared among colleagues, and brought home for family gatherings. It is the one day of the year when calories are happily ignored and krafne unquestionably have the final say. While the classic apricot-filled version remains a favourite, carnival season has also become a playground for creative fillings, flavour pairings, and modern interpretations.
ZAGREB
Meet Mia
Meet Mia is known for its playful yet refined take on carnival doughnuts, combining classic favourites with bold, dessert-inspired flavours. The selection includes a traditional apricot-filled krafna (€2.20) alongside more indulgent options such as pistachio with pistachio cream and white chocolate glaze (€3.00), chocolate–hazelnut with chocolate glaze and crunchy hazelnut pieces (€2.80), strawberry–vanilla with lemon-infused vanilla cream and raspberry sugar (€2.80), almond–caramel with Amaretto notes and salted vanilla caramel (€2.80), and vanilla–chocolate with chocolate fudge and chocolate glaze (€2.80) — making it a popular stop during carnival season.
Mangia Paninoteka – Italian Bomboloni
Mangia Paninoteka brings Italian flair to carnival celebrations with its soft, airy bomboloni, filled to order with Nutella, pistachio cream, vanilla custard, or apricot jam. Light, generously filled, and irresistibly fluffy, these Italian-style doughnuts are priced at €2.50 and offer a delicious alternative to traditional krafne.
N’ublie Patisserie
At N’ublie Patisserie, carnival doughnuts are elevated into a refined dessert experience, with imaginative flavour combinations and elegant presentation. Alongside individual doughnuts in flavours such as pistachio, chocolate and orange, Bueno and white chocolate, vanilla and raspberry, amber and peanut, and apple with cinnamon, N’ublie also offers mixed boxes of six or twelve krafne, priced between €19.00 and €37.00, ideal for offices, gatherings, and festive sharing.Vincek
A long-standing symbol of tradition, Vincek remains a trusted address for classic carnival flavours. Their apricot-filled krafna, available for €1.35, continues to prove that simplicity and nostalgia still hold a special place during the festive season.Crofna – Doughnuts Delivered
For those who prefer to order online, Crofna offers a wide selection of doughnuts available for delivery, with detailed information on ingredients and pricing. From classic recipes to modern variations, the platform makes it easy to bring carnival sweetness straight to your home or workplace.
SPLIT
Oš Kolač
At Oš Kolač, carnival doughnuts have been a seasonal favourite since 2018, made exclusively during January and February. Each krafna is hand-shaped, fried, and filled, with flavours including apricot, vanilla–raspberry, vanilla–plum, chocolate–hazelnut, and pistachio–raspberry, priced at €2.90 per piece, with a four-for-three offer (€8.70).
Oš kolač Archives
Kruv – Artisan Bakery
Kruv offers a restrained, artisanal take on carnival doughnuts, focusing on classic flavours and quality ingredients. Their krafne — chocolate, apricot, pistachio, and vanilla — are priced at €2.30 per piece, light in texture and ideal for everyday carnival indulgence.
RIJEKA
Babushka
Babushka’s carnival doughnuts are available only in boxes of six for €10, with new flavour combinations each weekend. Orders open every Monday and typically sell out within minutes, making these krafne among the most sought-after carnival treats in Rijeka.Rica – Gluten-Free Patisserie
Rica offers gluten-free and vegan baked doughnuts, made with turmeric flour and free from lactose and eggs. Available plain or filled with chocolate, vanilla, or apricot, these lighter carnival treats are priced at €2.50.Whether enjoyed in classrooms, shared at office desks, or savoured during carnival parades and family gatherings, krafne remain an essential part of Croatia’s Shrove Tuesday tradition. And as masks come off and the last crumbs disappear, one thing is certain — on Carnival Day, krafne always steal the show.
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