Gâteau Magique (French Magic Cake) Recipe

Introduction

Gâteau Magique, or French Magic Cake, is a delightful dessert that magically forms three distinct layers in one baking process. It’s a simple yet impressive treat, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a special homemade dessert.

Ingredients

• 4 large eggs
• a pinch of salt
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 125 g brown sugar
• 125 g butter
• 120 g flour
• 500 ml milk
• blackberries (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Melt the butter over low heat. Once it reaches a boil, continue cooking for 5–10 minutes until it turns golden brown with brown residue at the bottom. Turn off the heat, strain the butter through a fine sieve, and let it cool.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, mix the egg yolks with the sugar until the mixture triples in volume. Gently add the flour and melted butter, mixing carefully.
3. Step 3: Warm the milk with the vanilla extract. Gradually add this to the egg yolk mixture while stirring continuously. The batter will be fairly thin.
4. Step 4: Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Fold the egg whites gently into the batter using a spatula, being careful not to overmix even if the mixture remains slightly uneven.
5. Step 5: Preheat the oven to 160 °C (320 °F). Butter a 24×24 cm (9.5×9.5 inch) non-stick baking tray. Pour the batter into the tray and bake for 45–50 minutes until the top is golden brown.
6. Step 6: Allow the cake to cool in the tray for 1–2 hours. Once cooled, cut into cubes, optionally sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve. Add blackberries if desired for a fresh touch.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a zest of lemon or orange to the batter before baking.
• Use a non-stick pan or line the baking tray with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
• Incorporate fresh berries on top right before serving for a fruity twist.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions gently in the microwave or enjoy cold. The texture may soften after refrigeration but remains delicious.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Why does the cake form three layers?

The unique texture is due to the method of combining ingredients and baking at a low temperature, which creates a custard layer at the bottom, a creamy middle, and a light sponge on top.

Can I use regular sugar instead of brown sugar?

Yes, white sugar can be used as a substitute, but brown sugar adds a richer caramel flavor that complements the browned butter.

Gâteau Magique (French Magic Cake) Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 101 reviews

• Author: lilan
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes plus 1-2 hours cooling
• Yield: 8 servings 1x
• Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

Gâteau Magique, or French Magic Cake, is a delightful layered dessert known for its unique texture that combines a custard base, cream cheese middle, and light sponge top. This recipe features a beautifully browned butter flavor and optional blackberries to add a fresh fruit touch. Perfectly baked to a golden brown, this cake is a treat to serve as an elegant dessert or afternoon snack.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Eggs and Sugar

• 4 large eggs
• 125 g brown sugar
• a pinch of salt

Butter and Flour

• 125 g butter
• 120 g flour

Milk and Flavorings

• 500 ml milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Optional

• Blackberries (optional)

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Instructions

1. Brown the Butter: Melt the butter over low heat. Once it reaches a boil, keep it on heat for 5-10 minutes until it turns golden brown and you see the brown residue on the bottom of the pan. Turn off the heat, strain the butter through a thin sieve, and leave to cool.
2. Prepare Egg Yolk Mixture: Mix the egg yolks with brown sugar until the mixture at least triples in volume. Gently fold in the flour and cooled browned butter until combined.
3. Incorporate Milk and Vanilla: Warm the milk and vanilla extract, then gradually add this warm liquid to the yolk mixture, mixing continuously to create a fairly thin batter.
4. Whip Egg Whites: Whisk the egg whites with a pinch of salt until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the egg whites into the batter with a spatula, ensuring you do not overmix even if the batter is slightly lumpy.
5. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F). Butter a 24×24 cm (9.5×9.5 inch) non-stick baking tray to prevent sticking.
6. Bake the Cake: Pour the batter into the prepared baking tray and bake for 45-50 minutes until the top is a nice golden brown and set.
7. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool in the tray for 1-2 hours. Slice into cubes, sprinkle with powdered sugar, and garnish with blackberries if desired before serving.

Notes

• Be careful not to overmix the batter once the egg whites are added to maintain the cake’s characteristic layered texture.
• Using browned butter adds a nutty, rich flavor that is key to this recipe.
• Allow the cake to cool completely in the tray to let its layers set properly.
• The optional blackberries add a fresh and tart contrast to the sweet cake.
• A non-stick baking tray or well-buttered pan is essential to prevent the cake from sticking due to its custard-like layers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Keywords: Gâteau Magique, French Magic Cake, Magic Cake, Brown Butter Cake, Layered Cake, French Dessert