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Sliced gateau nantais on a marble board showing dense almond crumb and glossy rum glaze dripping down the side

Classic Gateau Nantais Cake with Dark Rum Glaze

A dense French almond cake baked with dark rum and finished with a rum glaze that soaks into the warm crumb.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Calories: 426

Ingredients
  

Cake
  • 150 g unsalted butter softened, plus extra for the pan
  • 150 g granulated sugar
  • 150 g almond flour finely ground
  • 3 large eggs room temperature
  • 60 g all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp fine salt
  • 40 ml dark rum for the batter
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
Glaze
  • 100 g powdered sugar sifted
  • 30 ml dark rum for the glaze

Method
 

  1. Heat the oven to 170 C / 340 F. Butter a 20 cm / 8-inch round cake pan and line the base with parchment.
  2. Cream the butter and sugar together with a hand mixer until pale and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition until fully combined.
  4. Stir in the almond flour, then fold in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined.
  5. Fold in 40 ml dark rum and the vanilla extract until the batter is smooth and even.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is deep golden.
  8. Cool the cake in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack.
  9. While the cake is still warm, whisk the powdered sugar and 30 ml rum together until smooth and pourable.
  10. Brush or pour the glaze over the warm cake so it soaks into the top. Let set for 15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

  • Bake until a skewer comes out clean, about 35-40 minutes at 170 C / 340 F.
  • Brush glaze on while the cake is still warm so it soaks into the top layer.
  • Let the cake rest overnight for a stronger rum flavor before slicing.
  • Don't skip lining the pan base, the cake sticks without parchment.