Gâteau Creusois - Traditional French Almond Cake

Ingredients

• 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds 200g (1 ¾ cups) ground almonds
• 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar 200g (1 cup) granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs 4 large eggs
• 100g (7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted 100g (7 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar, for dusting Powdered sugar, for dusting

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 22g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 25g, 22g
• Protein: 9g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment paper.
2. 2.
   In a mixing bowl, whisk together the ground almonds and granulated sugar until well combined.
3. 3.
   Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition.
4. 4.
   Pour in the melted butter and vanilla extract, and mix until the batter is smooth and creamy.
5. 5.
   Transfer the batter to the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
6. 6.
   Bake for approximately 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. 7.
   Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. 8.
   Once cooled, dust the top of the cake with powdered sugar for a beautiful finishing touch.
9. 9.
   Slice and serve this delightful Gâteau Creusois with a cup of coffee or tea.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground almonds — Ensure that the ground almonds are finely ground for a smooth texture in the cake batter.
• Eggs — Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation into the batter.
• Butter — Melt the butter gently to avoid overheating and separating the fats.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra touch of flavor, you can add a splash of almond extract to intensify the almond taste.
• Serve the Gâteau Creusois with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a delightful contrast.
• To make it more festive, decorate the cake with slivered almonds before baking.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
• This cake can also be frozen for up to 1 month. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator before serving.

Serving advice

Serve each slice of Gâteau Creusois on a dessert plate, accompanied by a hot cup of coffee or tea. Dust the plate with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, you can place a small edible flower or a mint leaf on top of each slice. Serve the cake on a decorative cake stand or a beautiful dessert platter.