Međimurska Gibanica - A Delightful Croatian Pastry

Ingredients

• 12 sheets of phyllo dough 12 sheets of phyllo dough
• 200g (7oz) poppy seeds 200g (7oz) poppy seeds
• 200g (7oz) walnuts, finely ground 200g (7oz) walnuts, finely ground
• 2 apples, grated 2 apples, grated
• 500g (1.1lb) cottage cheese 500g (1.1lb) cottage cheese
• 150g (5.3oz) sugar 150g (5.3oz) sugar
• 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp cinnamon
• 200g (7oz) unsalted butter, melted 200g (7oz) unsalted butter, melted

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat: 20g (total), 8g (saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 35g (total), 15g (sugars)
• Protein: 10g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 0.2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   In a bowl, mix together the poppy seeds, finely ground walnuts, grated apples, cottage cheese, sugar, and cinnamon until well combined.
3. 3.
   Grease a baking dish with melted butter.
4. 4.
   Place a sheet of phyllo dough in the baking dish and brush it with melted butter. Repeat this step with 6 more sheets of phyllo dough.
5. 5.
   Spread half of the filling mixture evenly over the layered phyllo dough.
6. 6.
   Layer 3 more sheets of phyllo dough, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
7. 7.
   Spread the remaining filling mixture over the second layer of phyllo dough.
8. 8.
   Layer the remaining 2 sheets of phyllo dough on top, brushing each sheet with melted butter.
9. 9.
   Brush the top layer of phyllo dough with melted butter.
10. 10.
    Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crispy.
11. 11.
    Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Poppy seeds — Toast the poppy seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes to enhance their flavor before using them in the filling.
• Phyllo dough — Keep the phyllo dough covered with a damp cloth while working with it to prevent it from drying out and becoming brittle.
• Cottage cheese — If the cottage cheese is too watery, strain it through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve before using it in the filling to remove excess moisture.

Tips & Tricks

• For a twist, add a handful of raisins or dried cranberries to the filling mixture for an extra burst of sweetness.
• Serve Međimurska Gibanica warm with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
• Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven for a few minutes to regain the crispiness.

Serving advice

Serve Međimurska Gibanica as a dessert or a sweet treat alongside a cup of coffee or tea. It can also be enjoyed as a delightful breakfast pastry.

Presentation advice

When serving, cut Međimurska Gibanica into square or rectangular pieces to showcase the beautiful layers of the pastry. Dust the top with powdered sugar for an elegant touch.