Description
Gateau Basque Cake is a classic French dessert with a tender buttery crust and a rich pastry or almond cream filling, offering authentic flavors and elegant presentation perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup granulated sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking powder
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 large egg
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon almond extract
1 cup pastry cream or almond cream (for filling)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
- In another bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until creamy and pale.
- Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture, mixing until combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring until smooth dough forms.
- Divide dough into two equal discs, wrap in plastic, and chill for 30 minutes.
- On a floured surface, roll out one dough disc to fit the bottom of the cake pan.
- Place rolled dough in pan and spread pastry cream or almond cream evenly over it.
- Roll out the second dough disc and cover the filling, sealing the edges.
- Brush the top with egg wash and optionally create a decorative fork pattern.
- Bake for 40–45 minutes until cake is golden brown.
- Let cake cool in the pan for 20 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
Use almond cream for richer, nutty filling or pastry cream for classic flavor.
Dust top with powdered sugar once cooled for different presentation.
Incorporate fresh berries inside the filling for a fruity twist.
Substitute almond extract with orange blossom water for a floral note.
Store cake covered at room temperature for 2 days or refrigerated up to 4 days.
Serve at room temperature or warm slices briefly in oven.
Freeze wrapped tightly for up to 2 months; thaw overnight before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (+30 minutes chilling)
- Cook Time: 40–45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
