This site uses only a few technical cookies necessary for its operation. By continuing to browse, you accept their use.
To find out more...
To find out more...
Basic cake batter - the French way
The French have adopted the word "cake" for one that will stand up to being transported (usually made a loaf tin and sometimes called a "travel cake" in French). There are many versions, but here is a new basic recipe to which you can your choice of flavours (pistachio, lemon, chocolate...) and other ingredients (fresh or dried fruit, nuts...).
54 K 4.2/5 (6 reviews)
20 min.
Easy
1 kg 650 g
7 IngredientsLast modified on: November 18th 2020
For 1 kg 650 g, you will need:
- 1
120 g butter - 2
360 g egg ( How to... ) - 3
450 g caster sugar - 4
240 g cream - 5
360 g flour - 6
6 g baking powder - 7
6 pinches salt - Total weight: 1,540 grams
Change these quantities to make:
Change measures:
Times for this recipe
Preparation: 10 min.
Cooking: 7 min.
All in all: 20 min.
If you start now, at , you will finish around : ?.Change start time
To finish around 7pm, you'll need to have started before: .Change end time
Step by step recipe
Stage 1 - 7 min.
Melt 120 g butter in a small pan on low heat.
Bring to the boil, then wait until it stops boiling and begins to give off a nutty smell (you have just made noisette butter).
Take off the heat and leave to cool until just warm.
Bring to the boil, then wait until it stops boiling and begins to give off a nutty smell (you have just made noisette butter).
Take off the heat and leave to cool until just warm.
Stage 2 - 2 min.
Stage 3 - 1 min.
Add 240 g cream...
Stage 4 - 1 min.
...and mix again.
Stage 5 - 2 min.
Stage 6 - 1 min.
Mix again.
Stage 7 - 2 min.
Pour the warm noisette butter into the mixture through a fine strainer.
Stage 8 - 1 min.
Mix one last time.
Stage 9
Your cake batter is ready.
You can now add your chosen flavourings (chocolate, pistachio, lemon...), or leave it plain, before pouring it into the tins or moulds.
You can now add your chosen flavourings (chocolate, pistachio, lemon...), or leave it plain, before pouring it into the tins or moulds.
Stage 10
If you want to make a plain cake straight away, pour the dough into a mold and bake for about 40 minutes at 390°F (200°C).
Note: As always with cakes, if you want a nice opening on top when baking, try this very effective trick.
Note: As always with cakes, if you want a nice opening on top when baking, try this very effective trick.
Remarks
If you are using salted butter, omit the pinches of salt.
For a plain cake, you can use replace half an ounce (10 g) of the sugar with vanilla sugar.
For a plain cake, you can use replace half an ounce (10 g) of the sugar with vanilla sugar.
Keeping: Should be used the same day.
Source: Based on a recipe by Christophe Michalak.
Nutritional information
| Proteins (gr) | Carbohydrates (gr) | Fats (gr) | Energy value (in k-calories) | Energy value (in k-joules) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole recipe | 90 RDI=30 % | 730 RDI=70 % | 210 RDI=30 % | 5,180 RDI=260 % | 21,700 RDI: 260 % |
| Per 100 g | 5 RDI=2 % | 50 RDI=4 % | 10 RDI=2 % | 340 RDI=20 % | 1,410 RDI: 20 % |
How much will it cost?
- For 1 kg 650 g : 3.65 €
Change currency: 
Note: Be careful, these prices are only an estimate, you can consult the table of prices by ingredients used for this estimate.
Some other recipes using this recipe
Pistachio cake
Here's a loaf-style cake made with a classic batter, flavoured with pistachio (of course), and with a crunchy "macaronade" topping.
44 K 1 hour 55 min.
This recipe uses (among others)
Caster sugar
Like these other recipes: Soft chocolate-orange cake, Fruit crémeux, Cantucci di Prato, Stewed plums, Pizza dough, ... See them all 361
Flour
Like these other recipes: Fish in a sesame crust, Pistachio shortbread biscuits, Celeriac and sesame soup, Grapefruit cake, Sandwich bread, ... See them all 203
Egg
Like these other recipes: Scrambled eggs with langoustines and asparagus tips., Eggs in brioche nests, Meatballs, Eggs en Cocotte à la Française, Almonds pyramids, ... See them all 237
Cream
Like these other recipes: Vol-au-vent, Lobster Thermidor, Quick chicken curry, Crispy rolls with chicken and leek, Blanquette of veal, ... See them all 117
Other recipes you may also like
French dressing (vinaigrette)
Here is a very simple recipe, but it could completely transform, maybe even transcend, your salad. July 7th 20111.06 M4.5 7 min.
Tapenade
Tapenade is a classic of Mediterranean cuisine, basically a purée of black olives and olive oil. This version is little more sophisticated, with a less marked olive flavour. November 21th 2010196 K 14.1 15 min.
Buckwheat pancakes
Buckwheat pancakes (galettes de sarasin in French) are typical of Brittany and are often served as a savoury dish. They are made with buckwheat flour (a cereal-like seed which is gluten free). July 21th 2015183 K 24.3 15 min.
Pancake batter
Here is a pancake batter that is a little more sophisticated than the traditional version. The pancakes will be tastier with a softer texture. February 2nd 2020346 K3.8 15 min.
The strange gratin
Here is a recipe for a gratin that is a little unusual in its ingredients, which allows the use of vegetable tops and leftover cheese, but for a very successful taste despite everything. July 20th 202230 K 1 hour 30 min.
News list of cooking-ez.com
Sign up to receive the latest recipes (next batch due to be sent on 2025-09-07)
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Post a comment or question
Follow this recipe
If you are interested in this recipe, you can "follow" it, by entering your email address here. You will then receive a notification immediately each time the recipe is modified or a new comment is added. Please note that you will need to confirm this following.
Note: We'll never share your e-mail address with anyone else.
Alternatively: you can subscribe to the mailing list of cooling-ez.com , you will receive a e-mail for each new recipe published on the site.