Flavors · Međimurje

Međimurska gibanica

Layered cake made with thin stretched dough and four fillings: walnuts, poppy seeds, fresh cheese, and grated apple. It is the best-known sweet from Međimurje, in the far north of Croatia.

Traditional sweet from Međimurje

Also known as: Gibanica, Medjimurska gibanica

Updated November 2026

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Međimurska gibanica — Međimurje, Croatia — Međimurska gibanica

Međimurska gibanica — Međimurje, Croatia

Međimurje gibanica is a tall cake built in layers of thin stretched dough, alternating four fillings: ground walnuts, ground poppy seeds, fresh cheese, and grated apple. Each layer has its own color and flavor, and a slice shows the striped pattern of the fillings.

The pastry comes from Međimurje, the region between the Mura and Drava rivers in the far north of the country, near Slovenia and Hungary. County tourism promotes it as a recipe visitors should not miss and calls it the queen of the local cuisine. According to the same source, the region’s cooking received influences from Vienna, Budapest, and Venice.

Međimurje gibanica is related to prekmurska gibanica from the neighboring Slovenian region of Prekmurje. Croatian sources describe the Međimurje version as having simpler fillings and fewer layers.

Gibanica is served in rectangular pieces, warm or cold, sprinkled with sugar. Restaurants and country houses in the region prepare it according to old recipes or in lighter versions.

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Where it comes from

Međimurje
Traditional sweet from Međimurje, in the far north of Croatia.

Ingredients

Thin stretched dough; ground walnuts, ground poppy seeds, fresh cheese, grated apple, sugar, eggs, cream, butter or oil, cinnamon.

How it is eaten

In rectangular pieces, warm or cold, sprinkled with sugar, served with coffee or a sweet wine.

When it is eaten

A festive dessert and a Sunday-lunch staple; available year-round in the region’s restaurants.

Your questions

Questions about Međimurska gibanica

What is Međimurje gibanica?

A layered cake made with thin stretched dough and four fillings: walnuts, poppy seeds, fresh cheese, and grated apple.

Is gibanica eaten hot or cold?

Both: warm or cold, served in pieces and sprinkled with sugar.

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