Julia Child's Reine De Saba Queen of Sheba Cake

Indulge in the timeless elegance of Julia Child's Reine de Saba, also known as the Queen of Sheba Cake—a rich and decadent almond chocolate cake that embodies French baking perfection. Made with semisweet chocolate, almond flour, and a touch of almond extract, this luxurious dessert is irresistibly moist with a subtly nutty flavor. Its delicate crumb is achieved by folding stiffly beaten egg whites into the batter, while the glossy chocolate glaze and a scattering of blanched almond slivers make it a showstopping centerpiece for any occasion. Ready in under an hour, this classic masterpiece is perfect for serving at dinner parties or pairing with a cup of coffee for an indulgent afternoon treat.

Nutriscore Rating: 44/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 115 grams Semisweet chocolate
• 115 grams Unsalted butter
• 150 grams Granulated sugar
• 3 Egg yolks
• 3 Egg whites
• 0.25 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Almond extract
• 70 grams Almond flour (or finely ground almonds)
• 30 grams All-purpose flour
• 55 grams Semisweet chocolate (for glaze)
• 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter (for glaze)
• 20 grams Blanched almond slivers (for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 175°C (350°F). Grease and flour a 20 cm (8-inch) round cake pan, or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2

Melt 115 grams of semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pot of simmering water or in short bursts in the microwave. Set aside to cool slightly.

Step 3

In a large mixing bowl, beat the unsalted butter and 2/3 of the sugar (100 grams) together until light and fluffy.

Step 4

Add the egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the melted chocolate and almond extract.

Step 5

In a separate clean bowl, beat the egg whites with the salt until soft peaks form. Gradually add the remaining sugar (50 grams) and beat until stiff peaks form.

Step 6

Gently fold one-third of the egg whites into the chocolate mixture to lighten it. Then fold in half of the almond flour followed by half of the all-purpose flour. Repeat with the remaining almond flour, flour, and egg whites until everything is incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.

Step 7

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Step 8

Cool the cake on a wire rack for 10 minutes, then carefully remove it from the pan and allow it to cool completely.

Step 9

For the glaze, melt 55 grams of semisweet chocolate with 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir until smooth.

Step 10

Pour the glaze over the cooled cake, using a spatula to spread it evenly. Let the glaze set slightly, then garnish the top with slivers of blanched almonds.

Step 11

Serve at room temperature. Enjoy a slice of the decadent Reine de Saba with a dollop of whipped cream or a dusting of powdered sugar, if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(722.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3270.6

Total Fat 221.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 104.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 848.8mg	0%
Sodium 829.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 298.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 238.5g
Protein 50.1g	0%

Vitamin D 64.0IU	0%
Calcium 428.6mg	0%
Iron 9.8mg	0%
Potassium 1717.4mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 58.8%

Protein: 5.9%

Carbs: 35.3%