Bajadera Recipe (No-Bake Croatian Chocolate Bars)

This Bajadera is a no-bake chocolate biscuit dessert made with crushed cookies, peanuts, and a smooth chocolate topping. It sets into firm, sliceable bars with a rich texture.

Recipe Developer-Estefania

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 10

Total Time 25

Ingredients

Chocolate Topping

▢ 100 g dark chocolate
▢ 2 tablespoon oil

Instructions

Line a 8x6-inch (21x15 cm) pan with parchment paper.
Crush about 3 cups (10.6 oz / 300 g) digestive cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor, then pulse 1 cup (5.3 oz / 150 g) peanuts until finely chopped and mix both together in a large bowl.
Add ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar, ½ cup (100 ml) water, and ½ cup (125 g) unsalted butter to a saucepan, then heat until the butter melts and the sugar dissolves.
Pour the hot mixture over the crushed cookies and peanuts, then mix well until fully combined.
Divide the mixture in half, melt 3.5 oz (100 g) dark chocolate, and stir it into one half until smooth.
Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second burst, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted.
Press the chocolate mixture firmly into the lined pan, then spread the plain mixture on top and press it into an even layer.
Melt 3.5 oz (100 g) dark chocolate with 2 tablespoons oil in the microwave in 30 second burst, stirring between each, until smooth and fully melted, then pour over the top and spread evenly.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until fully set, then lift out, slice into bars, and serve.

Notes

Fine Crumbs Matter: I like to crush the cookies well so the bars hold together and don’t crumble when sliced.

Press Firmly: I like to press each layer well with the back of a spoon or a flat glass so the bars hold together and slice neatly.