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M'hanncha (Snake Cake)

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M'hanncha (Snake Cake)Renee Anjanette Photography

In Morocco every meal is a special occasion, and almond-paste sweets are always part of the menu. M'hanncha (snake) is made from rolled phyllo pastry coiled to look like a serpent. The orange-flower water and cinnamon flavorings are very North African, revealing the Persian influences in the region.

Variations:

Date-Lime Snake Cake
For the paste, reduce the almonds to 1 1/2 cups, add 1 1/2 cups chopped dates, and replace the orange juice and zest with lime juice and zest.

Individual Snake Cakes
Cut the folded phyllo sheets into 4- by 10-inch pieces, and stack and butter as directed. Place one almond paste log on top of each stack, roll into a cylinder, and shape into a small coil.

Walnut-Lemon Snake Cake
For the paste, replace the almonds with walnuts, replace the orange juice and zest with lemon juice and zest, and add 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom.

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