Elevate your next gathering with this stunning Layered Vegetable Cake—a savory masterpiece that combines roasted zucchini, eggplant, red bell peppers, and carrots with a creamy spinach-infused cheese filling, all nestled inside a golden puff pastry crust. Perfect for impressing vegetarians and veggie-lovers alike, this vibrant dish is a feast for both the eyes and the palate. Each layer bursts with fresh flavors, enhanced by fragrant herbs like parsley and chives, and balanced with a touch of garlic. Served chilled or at room temperature, this no-fuss centerpiece is ideal for brunches, parties, or an elegant appetizer. Make it ahead and wow your guests with its show-stopping beauty and deliciously complex flavors. Keywords: vegetable cake recipe, savory layer cake, vegetarian party dish, roasted vegetable appetizer.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) and line two baking trays with parchment paper.
Slice the zucchini, eggplant, and red bell peppers into thin, even strips. Peel the carrots and use a vegetable peeler to shave them into thin ribbons.
Place the zucchini, eggplant, red bell peppers, and carrot ribbons on the prepared baking sheets. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of olive oil, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt, and roast for 15-20 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized. Remove and let cool.
In a large pot, bring water to a boil and blanch the spinach for 30 seconds. Drain immediately and squeeze out any excess moisture. Chop the spinach finely.
In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, minced garlic, parsley, chives, spinach, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and well-combined.
Roll out the puff pastry sheet and place it into a round, greased springform pan, trimming any excess pastry from the edges. Poke the base of the pastry with a fork to prevent puffing.
Whisk the egg in a small bowl and brush a thin layer over the puff pastry. Place the pastry in the oven and bake for 12-15 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and let cool completely.
Assemble the cake: Spread a thin layer of the cream cheese mixture onto the baked pastry crust. Add a layer of the roasted vegetables, alternating for color. Repeat the layering process until all the vegetables and cream cheese mixture are used up, finishing with a cream cheese layer on top.
Garnish the top of the cake with parsley or chives for decoration. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to allow the cake to set and flavors to meld.
Carefully remove the cake from the springform pan and transfer to a serving platter. Slice and serve chilled or at room temperature.
Calories |
479 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 40.2 g | 51% | |
| Saturated Fat | 20.3 g | 101% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 122 mg | 41% | |
| Sodium | 1094 mg | 48% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 23.4 g | 9% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 6.2 g | 22% | |
| Total Sugars | 13.3 g | ||
| Protein | 10.5 g | 21% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 187 mg | 14% | |
| Iron | 2.3 mg | 13% | |
| Potassium | 867 mg | 18% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.