Time to prepare: 15 minutes
Time to cook: 20 minutes
Makes 15 slices
8 sheets of filo pastry (leave these in the packet until ready to use)
For the filling
100g/3½oz vegan margarine, melted
50g/1¾oz caster sugar
50g/1¾oz glacé cherries, chopped
100g/3½oz ground almonds
Zest and juice of one orange
75g/generous 2½oz orange marmalade
150g/scant 51/3oz mixed nuts chopped and lightly toasted
1 tsp vanilla essence
¼ tsp mixed spice
Garnish
A little icing sugar
A few chopped nuts
- Preheat oven to 180°C/360°F/gas mark 4.
- Place half the margarine and all the remaining ingredients into a bowl and combine.
- On a large work surface (see chef’s tip below) place the filo pastry sheets in a row, overlapping by approximately 5cm.
- Spread the filling out in a line 10cm from the top. Quickly drizzle half of the remaining margarine over the pastry and filling.
- Fold over the left and right edges of the pastry to seal the ends. Carefully roll the pastry from top to bottom. This can be tricky, but don’t worry if the filo breaks. Once rolled into a sausage shape, carefully form into a coiled snake.
- Carefully transfer to a lined baking sheet and drizzle on the remaining margarine.
- Bake for 20 minutes.
- Transfer to a large serving plate and garnish with a few chopped nuts and a dusting of icing sugar, or alternatively a squirt of maple syrup. This is a sweet treat so only a small piece is needed. Start with the end of the ‘tail’ and work to the ‘head’!
Chef’s tip: You will need a large, clean work surface (e.g. long kitchen worktop) to make this on, so it’s worth clearing an area before starting. This cake will keep well for up to a week.
The Vegan Baking guide can be downloaded free of charge from the Vegetarian for Life website where details of the vegan baking courses can also be found, or order a physical copy for just £2 plus P&P.