Guiness confirmed: Jaškovo has the longest strudel in the world

The scent of freshly baked strudels spread through Jaškovo, a small village near Ozalj and Karlovac, from the early hours of the morning. Locals and guests from across Croatia – and even further afield – gathered for this year’s Štrudlafest, the festival that has put this tranquil place on the world map of records. When the official judge from London, before thousands of onlookers, announced that the longest line of strudels in the world had reached an astonishing 3,136.84 metres, the village erupted in applause and joy. The record-breaking line, made up of 8,940 strudels, stretched across fields and roads, blending everyday life with history and tradition.

For years, Jaškovo has prided itself on its love for strudel, a simple yet sumptuous pastry that carries the flavour of home. As far back as 2015, the village entered the Guinness Book of Records with a line measuring almost 1.5 kilometres. Ten years later, the challenge was even greater: three kilometres of pastry that is both a culinary symbol and a cultural story. “Strudel is not just a cake, it is part of our soul,” many locals will tell you, recalling how as children they watched their grandmothers stretch the dough over tablecloths and fill it with apples, cheese or sour cherries.

The laying of the strudel line began at 11 a.m., with each pastry carefully placed, filled with love and pride. When, in the afternoon, the judge raised his hands and announced the new record, the air was filled with that special mixture of excitement and relief. Yet the story did not end with the numbers – the record-breaking strudel was donated to various institutions and organisations, reaching those most in need. Thus, this sweet creation, prepared by hundreds of helping hands, continued its mission in the spirit of solidarity.

Štrudlafest is not only about breaking records; it is also a true family festival. Visitors can enjoy walks, cycling and kayaking tours, the Strudelmaniac picnic, all combined with a rich music programme. This year, the atmosphere was lifted by the group Hrvatske ruže, while the festival closed on Sunday with an afternoon concert by Damir Kedžo.

The special charm of Štrudlafest also lies in its ability to connect generations. While children delight in sweet bites and a playful programme, older visitors rediscover nostalgia in the flavours of their childhood. Jaškovo, which might otherwise remain hidden on the map of Croatia, builds its identity through strudel, sharing a story that now reaches the world.

For in Jaškovo, strudel is not just a pastry – it is a symbol of togetherness, hard work, and the joy of life. And while Guinness records testify to numbers, what remains in the memory of every visitor is the warmth of this small village, which reminds us each year that the most beautiful traditions often grow out of the simplest, home-made recipes.

Musical Strudel – Bach’s Coffee Cantata (approx. 12 servings)

Dough: 850 g flour, 50 ml oil, 20 g salt, 300 ml water

Filling: 6 eggs, 5 tbsp sugar, 150 g walnuts or hazelnuts, white and dark chocolate, Turkish coffee, a cup of cornflakes or Petit Beurre biscuits, dried figs

Preparation:

Knead the dough from the listed ingredients and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling: beat 6 egg yolks with 5 tablespoons of sugar and 150 g of walnuts. Brew a cup of black coffee and add a few spoonfuls to the mixture, according to taste. Whip 5 egg whites into stiff peaks and fold them into the mixture, then add grated orange zest.

Once the dough has rested, roll it out with a rolling pin, brush with oil and leave it for 2–3 minutes to absorb. Then, stretch the dough as thinly as possible with your fingers. Spread the filling over half the dough. On top of the filling, sprinkle crushed cornflakes or Petit Beurre biscuits, or, if you prefer, chopped walnuts or hazelnuts. Roll the strudel with the other half of the dough. Shape into smaller portions (giving more crispy edges for those who love them), or roll into a spiral or another desired shape. Place the strudel in a baking tray greased with oil. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 25–30 minutes.

While the strudel is baking, melt chocolate for the topping. Pour it over the baked strudel, add more grated orange zest if desired, and top with chopped dried figs.

The recipe was inspired by Bach’s Coffee Cantata and created in cooperation with the Karlovac Music School as part of the Night of Music celebrations in the project Music Food.

Photos: : Demjan Rožman, Tomislav Klarić, Igor Čepurkovski, Dora Jurinčić, Izvan fokusa