Description
Famous French Cake, known as Gâteau de Voyage, is a moist, buttery loaf cake perfect for travel and sharing. This classic French dessert combines the rich flavors of almond flour and lemon zest, enhanced with a hint of vanilla and optional dark rum, baked to golden perfection and dusted with powdered sugar.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup almond flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dark rum (optional)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, which helps create a tender texture.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to fully blend them in. Stir in the vanilla extract, lemon zest, and dark rum if using, to infuse the cake with aromatic flavors.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, almond flour, baking powder, and salt, ensuring the leavening agent and seasonings are evenly distributed.
- Mix Dry into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing gently and just until combined to avoid overworking and developing gluten, which can toughen the cake.
- Pour and Smooth Batter: Transfer the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the surface with a spatula to promote even baking.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 45 to 55 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Cool: Allow the cake to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes to settle before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Dust and Serve: Just before serving, dust the top generously with powdered sugar for a classic finishing touch.
Notes
- This cake, called “gâteau de voyage,” is ideal for travel as it keeps well over several days.
- For variation, substitute orange zest for lemon zest for a different citrus flavor.
- To make it alcohol-free, simply omit the dark rum.
- If almond flour is unavailable, you can use 2 cups of all-purpose flour instead, though it will be less moist.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of the cake.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
