Prekmurska Gibanica

Name: Prekmurska Gibanica
Prep time: 60 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 130 min
Yield: 12 servings
Cuisine: Slovenian
Ingredients: 10 sheets filo dough; 200g ground poppy seeds; 200g ground walnuts; 300g cottage cheese; 3 large apples, grated; 200ml sour cream; 4 eggs; 150g sugar; 100g butter, melted; 200ml heavy cream; 1 tsp vanilla extract; Zest of 1 lemon; Pinch of cinnamon

Prekmurska gibanica (preh-KOOR-skah gee-BAH-nee-tsah)

Prekmurje Layered Pastry

⏱ Prep Time 2 hours

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 430 kcal

A towering layered pastry from Prekmurje with alternating sheets of filo enclosing poppy seed, cottage cheese, walnut, and apple fillings.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 10.0g

Carbs 48.0g

Fat 22.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ gluten ⚠ dairy ⚠ eggs ⚠ tree nuts

Equipment Needed

large baking pan mixing bowls pastry brush

Presentation Guide

Vessel: rectangular ceramic platter

Garnishes: powdered sugar, whipped cream

Accompaniments: coffee

Ingredients

10 sheets filo dough
200g ground poppy seeds
200g ground walnuts
300g cottage cheese
3 large apples, grated
200ml sour cream
4 eggs
150g sugar
100g butter, melted
200ml heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 lemon
Pinch of cinnamon

Instructions

1
Prepare four fillings separately: mix poppy seeds with 50g sugar and warm milk; combine cottage cheese with eggs, sour cream, and sugar; mix walnuts with sugar and cinnamon; toss grated apples with lemon zest and sugar.
2
Butter a large deep baking pan generously and lay two sheets of filo, brushing butter between them.
3
Spread poppy seed filling evenly, top with two filo sheets brushed with butter.
4
Add cottage cheese filling, cover with filo, then walnut filling, filo, and finally apple filling.
5
Top with remaining filo sheets, brush with butter, pour heavy cream mixed with remaining egg over the top.
6
Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 60-70 min until deeply golden. Cool completely before slicing into squares.

💡

Did You Know?

Prekmurska gibanica received EU Protected Geographical Indication status in 2010, the first Slovenian dish to earn this distinction.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

large baking pan
mixing bowls
pastry brush

Garnishing

powdered sugar, whipped cream

Accompaniments

coffee

The Story Behind Prekmurska Gibanica

This monumental layered pastry from the Prekmurje region in northeastern Slovenia reflects the area's multicultural heritage, blending Hungarian, Austrian, and Slavic pastry traditions. Each of the four fillings represents a pillar of local agriculture: poppy, dairy, walnuts, and apples. It is the crown jewel of Slovenian festive baking.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed weddings, holidays, celebrations 📜 Origins: 18th century

Comments (0)

No comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!