What is a French “Gâteau au Yaourt”?

A ‘gâteau au yaourt’ is one of the most popular ‘everyday’ cake recipes in France and often served to children for breakfast or as a ‘goûter’ (a mid-afternoon snack). It is a simple, family-friendly recipe that uses a yoghurt pot to measure out all the ingredients (and is often one of the first cakes French children learn how to make). The unbelievably moist texture and subtle vanilla flavour is hard to beat.

What can I serve with this French “Gâteau au Yaourt”?

You can serve it as it is and it will be utterly delicious - or, like I have suggested in the recipe, you can top with freshly whipped cream, seasonal berries and icing sugar. You can also serve the whipped cream on the side and opt for a berry coulis or compote instead.

Can I use different flavours of yoghurt in this French “Gâteau au Yaourt”?

I have tested this with plain yoghurt, which is what I would recommend trying it with first. You can definitely try it with different yoghurt flavours, but be mindful of how sweet they are and how it will impact the overall sweetness of the cake.

What is the difference between vanilla extract and vanilla essence?

Quite a lot - and I always recommend using vanilla extract (or vanilla bean paste or pods). A good quality vanilla extract should be made from natural ingredients by soaking vanilla pods in water and ethyl alcohol. The liquids absorb the flavour of the vanilla, creating ‘vanilla extract’. In contrast, vanilla essence is a synthetic vanilla flavouring which gives an artificial taste (it will also be much cheaper).

French “Gâteau au Yaourt” (A No-Measure Cake)

Name: French “Gâteau au Yaourt” (A No-Measure Cake)
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 50 min
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 pot of natural yoghurt (about 125mls); 2 pots of self raising flour; 1 pot of caster sugar; Half a pot of vegetable oil (or mild olive /coconut oil if you prefer - all will work); 3 large free-range eggs; Splash of vanilla essence; Small pinch of salt; Whipped cream; Fresh berries; Icing sugar

French “Gâteau au Yaourt” (A No-Measure Cake)

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Super simple, all you need is a yoghurt pot and no scales to make this gateau au yaourt.

Author: Margie
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Yield: Serves 6-8 1x
Category: Baking
Method: Oven
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

1 pot of natural yoghurt (about 125mls)
2 pots of self raising flour
1 pot of caster sugar
Half a pot of vegetable oil (or mild olive /coconut oil if you prefer - all will work)
3 large free-range eggs
Splash of vanilla essence
Small pinch of salt

To decorate: (optional)

Whipped cream
Fresh berries
Icing sugar

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Instructions

Grease and line a 20cm (8-inch) round cake tin with non-stick baking paper. Preheat your oven to 175C Fan.
In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the yoghurt, self-raising flour, caster sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract until you have a smooth batter. Add a pinch of salt and whisk again.
Pour into the prepared tin and bake for about 45 minutes - or until well risen, golden and a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean (it can take up to 1 hour, depending on your oven, but I always like to check after 45 minutes to ensure it doesn’t overbake).
Remove from the oven and leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack to finish cooling completely.
This gateau is delicious as it is, but if you would like to decorate it: set the gateau onto a flat plate. Using a palette knife or the back of a spoon, generously spread with whipped cream on top. Decorate with fresh berries and dust with icing sugar. Enjoy!

Notes

I like to top with softly whipped cream and berries.

Find it online: https://desertislanddishes.co/gateau-au-yaourt/