What is Trdelnik?
Trdelnik, or as it is also known, trozkol or trdlo is the Czech and Slovakian name given to a yeast dough-based product.
Trdelník (also known as trdlo or trozkol) is a popular sweet pastry from the Czech Republic and Slovakia, made from yeast-based dough. The dough is rolled into a strip, wrapped around a cylindrical cooking roll or stick, coated in sugar, and baked over charcoal, a gas flame, or in a specialized electric grill or oven.
Once baked, Trdelník has a crisp, caramelized exterior and a soft, fluffy interior—similar to the Hungarian Kürtőskalács, also known as chimney cake.
What Is Skalický Trdelník?
Skalický Trdelník holds Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status under European Union law. This label guarantees that the product originates from a specific region—Skalica, Slovakia—and that at least one stage of its production occurs there.
To legally label a product as Skalický Trdelník, bakers must follow strict production guidelines laid out in the EU registration: ES No. SK/PGI/005/0489/09.08.2005. This designation protects the tradition, authenticity, and reputation of the pastry within the European market.
Where Did Trdelník Originate?
The true origin of Trdelník is still debated. One common theory claims that a Hungarian general introduced the concept to Moravia (now in the Czech Republic) via Slovakia in the 18th century. The word trdelník comes from the Czech and Slovak root “trdlo,” referring to the wooden cooking roll used in baking.
While many tourists associate Trdelník with Prague, some Czech locals criticize the pastry’s prominence in the city’s historic center, arguing it has limited historical roots in Czech culinary tradition and is more of a modern street food trend.
Where Can You Buy Trdelník?
You can find freshly baked Trdelník at tourist hotspots across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, especially in Prague’s Old Town. It has become one of the most popular street foods in Prague, often served warm and topped with cinnamon, chocolate, coconut, or nuts.
A bakery called Good Food (Karlova 180/8, Prague) pioneered the now-famous Chimney Cone—a cone-shaped Trdelník filled with ice cream. When the product launched, images of it went viral across social media and were often referred to as “donut cones.” Since then, Trdelník has become not just a treat but a social media phenomenon.
How Is Trdelník Made?
Here’s a step-by-step outline of how Trdelník is traditionally prepared:
- Yeast dough is kneaded and allowed to rise.
- The dough is rolled or cut into long strips.
- It is wrapped around a wooden or stainless-steel cooking roll.
- The dough is brushed with oil or butter, then coated in granulated sugar.
- The roll is placed in a special oven, on a grill, or over open charcoal heat.
- As it rotates and bakes, the sugar caramelizes.
- Once baked, it’s removed from the roll and coated with toppings of choice.
The result is a golden, spiral-shaped pastry that’s crisp outside and fluffy inside—often served warm.
What’s the Difference Between Trdelník and Kürtőskalács?
Although they look and taste very similar, the main difference between Trdelník and Kürtőskalács (chimney cake) lies in:
- Size: Trdelník is usually smaller and often baked in multiple portions on a single long roll.
- Origin & Name: Kürtőskalács is of Hungarian origin, while Trdelník is associated with Czech and Slovak traditions.
- Equipment: Trdelník in Prague is often baked on solid stainless-steel rolls and handled manually, while Kürtőskalács is more often baked individually in dedicated chimney cake grills or ovens in Hungary.
Despite these differences, the dough recipe and baking technique are almost identical, and both pastries are loved throughout Central Europe.roll.
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