Prekmurska gibanica (prekmurian layer cake) or Međimurska gibanica[1] (Medjimurian layer cake) is a layered cake, originating in the region of Prekmurje, Slovenia[2] and neighbouring Međimurje (Croatia). It contains poppy seeds, walnuts, apples, raisins, and cottage cheese fillings. Although native to Prekmurje, it has achieved the status of a national speciality of Slovenia. The unique sweetmeat shows the variety of agriculture in this region. The name gibanica comes from dialectical expression güba and in this case refers to a fold.
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For centuries prekmurska gibanica has been served as festive and ritual dish in Prekmurje and Međimurje. The exact origin of the recipe is not clear. Early sources suggest that the current composition has evolved from continuous development over centuries. The oldest document from 1828 by Jožev Košič said: Gostüvanje never goes by without gibanica, which is done as follows: The dough is rolled until thin, sprinkled with grated cabbage, turnips or cottage cheese. All is covered by second layer of dough. It is sprinkled as previously. 10 or 11 such layers are thus composed and form a conspicuous cake..[3]
In the past honey was added to sweeten a cake. This is a characteristic feature of gibanica derived from the Hungarian speaking parts of Prekmurje.
It was the sweet chosen to represent Slovenia in the Café Europe initiative of the Austrian presidency of the European Union, on Europe Day 2006.
In March 2010, the EU gave Prekmurska gibanica TSG status within Europe.[4]
Other pastries simply known as gibanica are traditional in Serbia. A gibanica variant, named Prleška gibanica, is known from Prlekija to the west of the Mur River.