Simplicity
If I had kept this cake around, I surely would have met my gain 16 pounds goal this week. As it stands, I still ate half of the loaf…in a day. Sigh. French Yogurt Cake is one of my favorites. It is so moist and dense and with just a hint of lemon running through it. I could say it is healthy because there is yogurt in it…but then I would be lying 
Since the flavors are so simple I like to keep the topping simple: a sprinkle or two of powdered sugar, honey and a few slices of strawberries. It really doesn’t get better than that.
French Yogurt Cake
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground almonds
2 tsp baking powder
pinch of salt
1 cups sugar
grated zest of 1 lemon
1/2 cup plain yogurt
3 large eggs
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup flavorless oil
Center a rack in the oven and preheat the oven to 350F. Generously butter an 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 inch loaf pan and place the pan on a baking sheet.
Whisk together the flour, ground almonds, baking powder and salt.
Put together the sugar and zest in a medium bowl and, with your fingertips, rub the zest into the sugar until the sugar is moist and aromatic. Add the yogurt, eggs and vanilla and whisk vigorously until the mixture is very well blended. Still whisking, add the dry ingredients, then switch to a large rubber spatula and fold in the oil. You’ll have a thick, smooth batter with a slight sheen. Scrape the batter into the pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the cake begins to come away from the sides of the pan;it should be golden brown and a thin knife inserted into the center will come out clean. Transfer the pan to a rack and cool for 5 minutes, then run a blunt knife between the cake and the sides of the pan. Unmold, and cool to room temperature right side up on the rack.
Source: Adapted from Baking: From My Home To Yours by Dorie Greenspan 2006
17 Responses
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January 7th, 2007 at 5:54 am
Oh my! I think I will have to make that my goal to – gain 16 pounds just looking at the photos. Looks delish.
Hope you have a fantastic 2007 and I really look forward to getting to know you a little more!
January 7th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Drooling over here!:)) Very unique!
January 7th, 2007 at 8:53 am
Yum! I love yogurt cakes of any kind!
January 7th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Oh, it’s so pretty! I have yet to try the famous yogurt cake … thanks for the recipe!
January 7th, 2007 at 9:32 am
You’re killin’ me.. you’re just killin’ me.
xoxo
January 7th, 2007 at 9:54 am
I’ve been going to try this one. Looks a little like pudding and super good.
January 7th, 2007 at 2:39 pm
I’ve heard of yoghurt cakes but have never tried making them! This picture is so delish that I think this will have to be the next thing out of my oven!
January 7th, 2007 at 4:06 pm
this is beautiful-I am going to give this a try tomorrow! Wonderful photo…
January 7th, 2007 at 5:27 pm
Looks delish and the photography is beautiful1
January 7th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Woah mama! That looks so amazing…the texture! I have got to try this one! And I definately share your love for French food (as per posted below) and i could never date a vegan or someone who didn’t drink.
(although I’m sure he is a lovely person.)
January 7th, 2007 at 6:12 pm
Oh, this is definitely my kind of health food. Yogurt, lemon, strawberries on top… Definitely healthy
January 7th, 2007 at 7:56 pm
Ok…when are you going to France???
January 8th, 2007 at 5:35 am
This cake looks yummy, indeed!
I love cake recipes that call for yogurt and almond meal, they always lend extra moisture and the results are fantastic.
I’ve baked a yogurt cake once and sprinkled the batter with raspberries before baking it. It was delicious.
I liked the idea of sprinkling honey on the cake, will try it sometime!
January 8th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
I’ve missed reading through blogs for the past few days, and I get to yours and I have several days of yummy treat after yummy treat after yummy treat. I think I’ve gained 16 pounds just reading your blog today!
January 8th, 2007 at 2:02 pm
If that’s what you call “simplicity” I’m all for it! That looks so good. I love a simple cake as long as it’s super-moist. I wish strawberries were cheap and plentiful right now!
January 10th, 2007 at 7:42 pm
That looks like one of those cakes that sits on my counter and everytime I walk by I nibble a little piece and before I know it, there’s none left and I’m wondering who ate it all and am slightly annoyed, until I realize it was me…
September 24th, 2008 at 4:03 pm
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