M'HANNCHA (SNAKE CAKE)

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M'hanncha (Snake Cake) image

Provided by Krystina Castella

Categories     Cake     Nut     Dessert     Bake     Vegetarian     Tree Nut     Almond     Spice     Chill     Cinnamon     Phyllo/Puff Pastry Dough     Pescatarian     Peanut Free     Soy Free     Kosher

Yield Makes 1 cake (serves 6 to 8)

Number Of Ingredients 21

Orange-Almond Paste
3 cups almonds
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 tablespoon orange-flower water
1 tablespoon orange juice
1 tablespoon grated orange zest
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Assembly
12 (12- by 17-inch) sheets phyllo dough
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 tablespoon water
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
Toppings
1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 cup sliced almonds

Steps:

  • To Make the Orange-Almond Paste:
  • Combine the almonds, confectioners' sugar, cinnamon, and cardamom in a food processor or blender and pulse to grind into a coarse meal. Add the butter and egg yolks and pulse until blended. Scrape the paste into a bowl, and stir in the orange-flower water, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla. Divide the paste into 12 balls, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • Set the balls on a work surface dusted with confectioners' sugar. Roll each one into a 3 1/2-inch-long log. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • To Assemble the Cake:
  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Butter a large baking sheet. Dust a work surface with confectioners' sugar. Place a sheet of phyllo pastry on the sugared work surface, and fold it in thirds to form a 4- by 17-inch rectangle. Brush the sheet with melted butter. Add another folded phyllo sheet, brush with butter, and repeat, until you have four buttered sheets.
  • Set four orange-almond paste logs in a row down one long end of the phyllo, and roll the pastry up over them into a cylinder. Fold over the ends and brush on some melted butter to seal the seams. Shape the cylinder into a small, tight coil and place on the baking sheet, seam side down.
  • Repeat to prepare two more phyllo rolls. Add each to the end of the coil on the baking sheet, forming a large coil.
  • Combine the egg yolks, water, and cinnamon. Brush the mixture over the top of the cake.
  • To Bake:
  • Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until golden. Remove the cake from the oven, and let cool on the baking sheet.
  • To Serve:
  • Stir together the confectioners' sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle on the cake, and top with sliced almonds.

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