These Balkan-style crescent rolls are a recipe I’ve perfected over the years—and they never fail to impress. Silky, buttery, and pillowy-soft, they’re a favorite at birthdays, potlucks, or casual weekends at home. What makes them special? The dough is neutral in taste, making it perfect for both sweet and savoury fillings. And the best part—they stay soft for up to three days! You’ll find versions of these in nearly every Balkan household, a true crowd-pleaser across generations.
🧾 Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 50 ml warm water
- 10 g active dry yeast
- 250 ml warm milk
- 100 g butter (melted in the milk)
- 600 g all-purpose flour
- 100 g sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 egg
Savoury Pizza Filling:
- 80 g grated mozzarella and cheddar mix
- 60 g grated mortadella or salami of your choice
- 70 g tomato sauce
- 1/2 tsp dried oregano (optional)
Sweet Filling:
- 100 g strawberry jam or Nutella (or any sweet spread you love)
🥣 Instructions
Step 1 – Activate the Yeast:
In a large mixing bowl, combine warm water, yeast, 1 tsp sugar, and 1 tsp flour. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
Step 2 – Make the Dough:
Add warm milk with melted butter, sugar, egg, and sifted flour mixed with salt to the activated yeast. Knead on low speed for 5–7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Step 3 – First Rise:
Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let it rise for 1 hour, or until doubled.
Step 4 – Divide and Rest:
Punch down the dough and divide it into 2 equal portions. Shape into balls and let them rest for 10 minutes.
Step 5 – Roll and Fill:
Roll each ball into a circle about 14–15 inches wide. Cut each circle into 12 wedges (triangles).
Savoury:
Mix salami, cheese, tomato sauce, and oregano into a thick paste. Place 1 tbsp of filling on the wide end of each triangle, then roll into crescent shapes.
Sweet:
Spread 1 tsp of jam or Nutella near the base of each triangle and roll.
Step 6 – Second Rise:
Place crescents on parchment-lined baking sheets. Cover and let them rise again for 30 minutes, or until puffy.
Step 7 – Bake:
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Bake for 13–15 minutes until golden.
Step 8 – Serve:
Let them cool slightly. Dust the sweet ones with icing sugar. Serve warm or room temperature.
🧺 Serving Suggestions:
- Perfect for lunchboxes, picnics, and birthday parties.
- Serve savoury rolls with a bowl of soup or yogurt dip.
- Enjoy sweet rolls with coffee, milk, or tea.
❄️ Storage Tips:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven for a freshly baked feel.
- Freeze after baking (without powdered sugar) for up to 1 month.
💡 Variations & Substitutions:
- Use turkey, ham, or plant-based deli slices instead of mortadella.
- Try apricot, raspberry jam, or dulce de leche in the sweet version.
- Add a cube of cheese or chocolate inside for a melty center.
- Make mini crescents for party platters (cut each dough ball into 16 wedges).
❓ FAQ
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes! You can refrigerate the dough overnight after the first rise. Let it come to room temperature before shaping.
Can I use whole wheat flour?
Yes, substitute up to 50% of the flour with whole wheat, but they may be slightly less soft.
Do I need a stand mixer?
No. You can knead by hand for about 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
These crescent rolls are a soft, comforting bite of tradition. Whether you fill them with gooey jam or cheesy pizza goodness, they’ll quickly disappear from your table. Bake a batch and watch them become everyone’s favorite.
🥐 Kao Oblak! Kiflice Koje Ostaju Mekane 3 Dana
Ove domaće kiflice pravim godinama i uvek nestanu brzinom svetlosti! Testo je meko kao oblak, mlečno, puterasto i ostaje sveže do tri dana. Najbolji deo? Ukus testa je dovoljno blag da savršeno ide i uz slatke i uz slane nadeve. U gotovo svakoj balkanskoj kuhinji postoji neka verzija ovih kiflica – one su omiljene na rođendanima, slavama, porodičnim okupljanjima… i naravno, odlične su i za užinu!
🧾 Sastojci
Za testo:
- 50 ml tople vode
- 10 g suvog kvasca
- 250 ml toplog mleka
- 100 g putera (otopljenog u mleku)
- 600 g brašna
- 100 g šećera
- 1 kašičica soli
- 1 jaje
Slani nadev (pica varijanta):
- 80 g rendanog sira (mozzarella i cheddar mešavina)
- 60 g rendane mortadele ili salame po izboru
- 70 g paradajz sosa
- 1/2 kašičice origana (po želji)
Slatki nadev:
- 100 g džema od jagoda, Nutelle ili drugog omiljenog namaza
🥣 Priprema
1. Aktivacija kvasca:
U većoj posudi pomešajte toplu vodu, kvasac, 1 kašičicu šećera i 1 kašičicu brašna. Ostavite 5–10 minuta dok ne zapeni.
2. Priprema testa:
Dodajte toplo mleko sa otopljenim puterom, šećer, jaje i prosejano brašno pomešano sa solju. Mesite mikserom na niskoj brzini 5–7 minuta dok ne dobijete glatko, elastično testo.
3. Prvo narastanje:
Testo prebacite u blago nauljenu posudu, pokrijte i ostavite da naraste oko 1 sat (dok ne udvostruči volumen).
4. Deljenje i odmor:
Prebacite testo na radnu površinu, podelite ga na 2 dela i formirajte loptice. Ostavite da odmore 10 minuta.
5. Razvijanje i punjenje:
Svaku loptu razvijte u krug prečnika oko 35–38 cm. Isecite krug na 12 trouglova.
Slani nadev:
Pomešajte sir, salamu, paradajz sos i origano u gustu smesu. Na širi deo svakog trougla stavite po 1 kašiku nadeva i urolajte u kiflicu.
Slatki nadev:
Na svaki trougao stavite po kašičicu džema ili Nutelle i urolajte.
6. Drugo narastanje:
Kiflice poređajte na pleh obložen papirom za pečenje, pokrijte i ostavite da narastu još 30 minuta.
7. Pečenje:
Rernu zagrejte na 200°C (400°F). Pecite kiflice 13–15 minuta dok lepo ne porumene.
8. Služenje:
Ostavite da se malo prohlade. Slatke kiflice pospite prah šećerom, a slane služite tople ili sobne temperature.
🧺 Predlozi za serviranje:
- Idealne su za rođendane, piknike, užinu ili doručak.
- Slane kiflice idu savršeno uz jogurt, pavlaku ili supe.
- Slatke kiflice su sjajne uz kafu, mleko ili čaj.
❄️ Čuvanje:
- Čuvajte ih u hermetički zatvorenoj kutiji na sobnoj temperaturi do 3 dana.
- Mogu se podgrejati u mikrotalasnoj ili rerni.
- Pogodne su za zamrzavanje (bez šećera u prahu) – do 1 meseca.
💡 Varijacije i zamene:
- Umesto mortadele koristite šunku, dimljenu piletinu ili biljne kobasice.
- Probajte i druge džemove – od kajsije, maline, šljive…
- Ubacite po kockicu sira ili čokolade za topljeni centar.
- Za mini verziju: svaku loptu testa secite na 16 trouglova.
❓ Česta pitanja
Mogu li pripremiti testo unapred?
Da! Testo možete napraviti dan ranije, ostaviti u frižideru posle prvog narastanja, pa oblikovati sutradan.
Mogu li koristiti integralno brašno?
Možete zameniti do 50% brašna integralnim, ali kiflice neće biti baš tako mekane.
Da li je potreban mikser?
Nije. Testo se može umesiti i rukom – treba oko 10 minuta mešenja.
Ove kiflice su pravo meko zadovoljstvo koje miriše na dom. Bilo da ih punite sirom i salamom ili džemom i Nutellom, teško je pojesti samo jednu. Probajte ih i podelite radost sa onima koje volite!
Divna's Baked Goods 