Gateau: The Surprising Simplicity of French Cakes

Parisians bake simple, delicious cakes at home, using a French know-how that blends style and functionality. They have an arsenal of recipes that become blueprints, allowing for myriad variations depending on the season and cupboard. French cakes have less sugar, pure taste of apples, vanilla is never a given, and savory cakes with cheese, herbs, ham, and baked into a delicious loaf are ideal for picnic lunches. Gâteau includes over 100 rigorously tested recipes and charming illustrations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 384 pages
Publication date: 16 March 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster

When we conjure up images of French desserts, we often envision intricate creations and confections. Perhaps we envision a tarte Tatin, but rarely a homemade cake, whipped up on a weeknight with minimal fuss. Yet, that is precisely what Parisians make and enjoy. Gâteaux are simple, delectable cakes, both sweet and savory, served to family and friends.

As food columnist Aleksandra Crapanzano spent time in Parisian home kitchens, she realized that the true magic lies in a certain savoir-faire, a distinctly French know-how that blends style and functionality in every aspect of life. By and large, the French do not attempt to rival their chefs, nor their boulangeries and patisseries. However, many Parisians are natural cooks, and most conclude dinner with a little something sweet, effortlessly made and casually served. The trick lies in having an arsenal of recipes that, once mastered, become blueprints, enabling myriad variations, depending on what's in season and what's in the cupboard. It is a practical approach, and the French are nothing if not practical. That is the savoir-faire—from tying a silk scarf just so to popping a gateau in the oven without anyone even noticing. When you know what you're doing, there's no need to overthink it. It looks effortless because it is effortless.

While the Paris culinary world is experiencing a fresh vibrancy, certain traditions remain intact yet may surprise in their modernity. For example, French cakes have less sugar. The pure taste of apples is not masked by cinnamon, and vanilla is never a given. A gateau may be lightly dusted with powdered sugar, but it is never overly sweet.

In conclusion, Parisians bake at home, from the simplest yogurt cakes to a deceptively easy bûche de Noël, from yuzu madeleines to boozy flourless chocolate confections. The real magic is a certain savoir-faire, a distinctly French know-how that blends style and functionality in every aspect of life. By having an arsenal of recipes that, once mastered, become blueprints, allowing for myriad variations, depending on what's in season and what's in the cupboard, Parisians can effortlessly create delicious and practical desserts that are both stylish and functional. Whether it's a tarte Tatin or a gateau, the French know how to make it look easy because it is.

Weight: 1050g
Dimension: 240 x 196 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781982169732