Gateau Marcel

Gateau Marcel

Gateau Marcel is a classic French cake and a dream for any chocolate lover! The cake consists of a chocolate mousse, where one half is baked in the oven to form a dense and delicious base. The other half of the mousse is used as the topping, remaining unbaked.

Both the base and the topping are made from the exact same mixture. The only difference is that one part is baked, and the other remains raw. It’s truly ingenious that in a Gateau Marcel recipe, the recipe for both the base and the topping is the same.

If you’re looking for another delightful dessert, you can try my Daim cheesecake.
Gateau Marcel Recipe

This intense chocolate cake is gluten-free and made with only four ingredients: chocolate, butter, sugar, and eggs. I use fresh eggs, but if you prefer pasteurized eggs, they work just as well.

It’s incredible how a cake with so few ingredients can taste this good. Most chocolate cakes typically include flour, but not this classic Gateau Marcel recipe. The recipe itself is very simple, making it a cake you can prepare quickly.

Despite its simplicity, you’ll end up with a truly delicious Gateau Marcel packed with intense chocolate flavor.
Gateau Marcel Accompaniments

Many people enjoy pairing Gateau Marcel with a complementary side. Personally, I almost always serve it as is. If I were to suggest something, it would be something to lighten the dessert a bit. The cake is quite rich, so fresh berries or a light ice cream would pair wonderfully.

You can find plenty of delicious ice cream recipes here.
Origin of Gateau Marcel

This delicious chocolate dessert is named after the man who invented it. Originally, it was called Gateau Chocolat, which simply means “chocolate cake” in French. However, the name was later changed to Marcel in honor of the chef Michel Michaud’s good friend Marcel Manoy. The cake was created back in 1985.
New Year’s Dessert

There’s no doubt that Gateau Marcel is a hit as a dessert for New Year’s Eve. Each year, I can see that many of you visit this recipe around that time. It’s an ideal dessert for New Year’s because it can be prepared in advance. You can either freeze it beforehand or make it the day before. Then, you’ll just need to plate the cake when it’s time for dessert.

A dessert that requires minimal effort before serving is always a great idea. This way, you can spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.

I love decorating my cakes beautifully—especially for New Year’s when it can be extra festive. Here, I’ve used cocoa powder, edible flowers, and blueberries with gold dust. The possibilities are endless!

Can I bake Gateau Marcel the day before?
The cake needs to chill for a few hours to set, making it the perfect dessert to prepare the day before serving.

Can I freeze Gateau Marcel?
Gateau Marcel can easily be frozen. Simply take it out of the freezer and let it thaw for a couple of hours before serving. If you’re making it for New Year’s, you can prepare it several weeks in advance.