Ceremonial Cake from Morocco

On special occasions such as weddings and bar mitzvahs, or holidays such as Purim, one spectacular cake is served, along with the small cookies, candies, and preserves. Its name—le paille, or more casually, el pal or le pallebe—comes from the English word pie and its base is panaspana, the classic sponge cake, or génoise. Usually assembled with four layers, it may be round or rectangular. A glaze and garnishes distinguish it from a simple frosted panasp