Indulge in this buttery, dense Gateau Breton, a classic French cake with a delightful almond flavour.
Prep
20 min
Cook
45 min
Total
65 min
Servings
8
Difficulty
Medium
Ingredients
For the cake
Instructions
Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and line the bottom with parchment paper.
Mix dry ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt.
Incorporate butter
Add the cold butter cubes to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Pro tip: Ensure the butter remains cold for the flakiest texture.
Add yolks and extract
Reserve one egg yolk for glazing. Add the remaining yolks and almond extract to the mixture, stirring until a dough forms.
Shape the dough
Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, pressing it evenly into place with your hands.
Glaze and bake
Mix the reserved egg yolk with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush over the top of the cake. Use a fork to create a crisscross pattern. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
Pro tip: The crisscross pattern gives the cake its traditional look.
Cool and serve
Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack. Serve at room temperature.
Tips & Tricks
- Use high-quality butter for the best flavour.
- Let the cake cool before slicing for clean cuts.
- Serve it with a dollop of crème fraîche for a luxurious touch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Gateau Breton?
Gateau Breton is a traditional cake from Brittany, France, known for its rich, buttery flavour and almond notes.
How long does Gateau Breton last?
Gateau Breton can last up to 5 days at room temperature when stored in an airtight container.
Can I freeze Gateau Breton?
Yes, you can freeze Gateau Breton for up to two months. Thaw it at room temperature before serving.
What is the texture of Gateau Breton like?
Gateau Breton has a dense, buttery texture with a slightly crumbly consistency, similar to shortbread.
How many calories are in a slice of Gateau Breton?
A slice of Gateau Breton contains about 420 calories.
Can I use salted butter instead?
You can use salted butter, but reduce the added salt to maintain balance.
What can I serve with Gateau Breton?
Serve it with coffee, tea, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delicious treat.
Serving Suggestions
You Might Also Like
More Recipes
Traditional Québec Croustade aux Pommes
Delight in a classic Québec croustade aux pommes with a crisp oat topping and juicy apples. Perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Traditional Québec Date Squares
Discover the classic taste of Québec with these traditional date squares, featuring a rich date filling nestled between buttery oat layers.
Cape Breton Blueberry Grunt
Savour the taste of Cape Breton with this traditional Blueberry Grunt — a comforting dessert featuring sweet blueberries and fluffy dumplings.
Traditional English Blancmange
A classic English dessert, blancmange is a creamy, almond-flavoured treat perfect for any occasion.
Traditional Portuguese Queijadas
Delight in these sweet, creamy Portuguese queijadas, a perfect treat for any occasion.
Traditional Pure Maple Candy
Delight in the sweet, melt-in-your-mouth texture of pure maple candy, a quintessential Canadian treat made with just one ingredient.
Kitchen & BBQ gear
What we use for recipes like this
Baking · Cake Pans
Crown 9 inch Cake Pans, 2" Deep, 2 Pack, Heavy Duty, Even-Heating, Pure Aluminum, 23 cm Cake Pan
$39.95
BBQ & Outdoor Cooking · Meat Claws
Cave Tools Meat Claws for Shredding Pulled Pork, Chicken, Turkey, and Beef- Handling & Carving Food - Barbecue Grill Accessories for Smoker, or Slow Cooker - Gun Metal
$19.89
Pit Boss Grills
Pecan Blend Hardwood Pellets – 40 lb
$19.99
Affiliate links. Prices come from Amazon and are refreshed at least every 24 hours.