Warm Breaded Savory Sandwich Roll Cake with Vegetable Filling topped with chili

Swedish smörgåstårta (literally "sandwich cake") is a savory, layered dish that resembles a cake in appearance but is made with sandwich ingredients. It’s a popular celebratory food in Sweden (and parts of Finland and Estonia) for birthdays, graduations, and other gatherings. This is a creative and unusual version shaped like a roll cake that is breaded and fried and then baked in the oven. This version of the cake is served warm with a chili cheese topping. Try it!

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You will need

9 slices of white sandwich bread, crusts removed * See tip 1 below.

Filling

3 tbsp (45 ml) butter

3–4 large carrots, peeled and coarsely grated

1 large yellow onion, peeled and sliced

2 garlic cloves, coarsely grated or minced

1/2 small leek, cleaned and thinly sliced

Red chili, finely chopped – amount to taste and depending on the heat of the chili

1 cube vegetable bouillon

4/5 cup (200 ml) water

½ red bell pepper, finely diced

½ green bell pepper, finely diced

½ yellow bell pepper, finely diced

4/5 cup (200 ml) crème fraiche

2 tsp (10 ml) flaky salt

Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

1 tsp (5 ml) Old Bay seasoning

1 ½ tsp (7 ½ ml) honey

2 ½ cups (600 ml) shredded flavorful cheese

Breading

4 eggs, beaten

1 ¼- 1 ⅔ cups Panko breadcrumbs – enough to coat thoroughly

Canola or peanut oil, for frying (about 1/2 inch deep in pan) ** See tip 2 below.

Chili Cheese Topping

2 cups (500 ml) sharp aged English cheddar, coarsely shredded

4/5 cup (200 ml) finely grated Parmesan cheese

4/5 cup (200 ml) Philadelphia cream cheese

1/3 heaped cup (100 ml) mayonnaise, Hellmann’s or homemade

1/2 tsp (2 ½ ml) garlic powder

1/2 tsp (2 ½ ml) onion powder

1 tsp (5 ml) cayenne pepper

1 tsp (5 ml) paprika

1/4 tsp (1 ¼ ml) turmeric

1 tbsp (15 ml) Sriracha sauce

1 tsp (5 ml) honey

Fresh jalapeño and red chili, finely chopped – amount to taste

1/3 heaped cup (100 ml) green onion, finely chopped

2 tbsp (30 ml) chives, finely chopped

1/2 tsp (2 ½ ml) sea salt

1/2 tsp (2 ½ ml) freshly ground black pepper

Garnish

Chili cheese

Cucumber, using a cutter to form any desired shape

Chives, chopped

Red, yellow, and green chili, finely sliced

How to make it

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Tips and tricks

Tip 1: Save your bread crust and make homemade breadcrumbs:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Cut crusts into cubes, blend into crumbs in a mixer and spread on a baking sheet. Toast for 10–12 minutes, stirring halfway.

3. Let the breadcrumbs cool and store in a paper bag or loosely covered glass container in a cool, dry place.

Tip 2: Avoid frying odors:

Using peanut oil for frying minimizes smell.