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Gâteau nantais
Almond rum-free lemon cake
Gâteau nantais: Nantes almond cake with a lemon glaze (alcohol-free)
The gâteau nantais comes from Nantes in the Loire, created in 1820 by a local baker when the city's port imported sugar and rum from the Caribbean; it is a dense, moist almond cake with a crackly white glaze, eaten at goûter and family lunches. Traditionally the cake is soaked in rum and the glaze flavoured with it; this version uses lemon juice for both so all ages can eat it, and adults can add 2 tablespoons of rum to the glaze. The common mistake is overbaking, which dries it. Chef's tip: soak the cake while it is still warm.
- Total time
- 50 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 8
Ingredients
For the cake
- 4 ½ oz unsalted buttersoft
- 5 ½ oz caster sugar
- 3 eggs
- 4 ½ oz ground almonds
- 1 ⅜ oz plain flour
- 1 pinch salt
For the glaze
- 4 oz icing sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
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Method
0/5 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 350°F (325°F fan). Butter and line a 22 cm round tin.
5 minStep 2: Beat the 4 ½ oz unsalted butter and 5 ½ oz caster sugar until pale, beat in the 3 eggs one by one, then fold in the 4 ½ oz ground almonds, 1 ⅜ oz plain flour, 1 pinch salt and 1 lemon, zest and juice zest.
10 minStep 3: Spread in the tin and bake for 30–35 minutes until golden and a skewer comes out clean.
35 minStep 4: While warm, spoon over the juice from the 1 lemon, zest and juice. Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then turn out on a rack.
Step 5: Mix the 4 oz icing sugar and 2 tbsp lemon juice to a thick, spreadable glaze and pour over the cold cake. Leave to set.
5 min
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 380 kcal
- Protein
- 7 g
- Carbs
- 40 g
- Fat
- 22 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does gâteau nantais take?
- About 50 minutes in total: 15 minutes to prepare and 35 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 8 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of unsalted butter?
- The same weight of ghee or coconut oil (for frying and most baking).
- What can I use instead of caster sugar?
- Caster sugar, same amount.
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