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CAKE RECIPES

Kouign Amann Cake Recipe

Easy Kouign-Amann cake recipe! The French delight you will love

Kouign Amann Cake Recipe
Prep time20 min
Cook time40 min
Total time60 min
Serves12 kouignettes
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Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Now on the menu, let’s have a look at this emblematic Rreton cake: the Kouign Amann cake. ”Kouign” means cake, while “Amann” means butter. So the Kouign-Amann is literally a “butter-cake.” This typical regional pastry from France is composed of simple elements: bread dough, butter (salted of course!), sugar… and that’s it! Invented around 1860, almost by accident, by a baker from Douarnenez (South Finistere) who was left with these ingredients, this cake is made by layering, a bit like a puff pastry but with fewer layers.

Christina Cherrier
by Christina Cherrier
Christina Cherrier

Christina Cherrier is a recipe developer and editor for Eatwell101 since 2011. She specializes in savory recipes, quick dinner options, and holiday menus. She is a professionally trained cook and worked as a consultant in the hospitality industry.

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Updated Aug 14, 2025
Table of contents

Ingredients List Kouign Amann Cake Recipe

For 12 “kouignettes” or 2 Kouign Amann

  • 7 ounces (200g) bread dough
  • 5 1/2 ounces (160g) butter
  • 5 1/2 ounces (160g) of sugar
  • A little milk and one egg yolk

Bread dough:

  • Almost 2 cups (180g)  all purpose flour
  • 15 ounces of water
  • 1/2 tbsp (3g) dry yeast
  • 1/2 tbsp(3g) of salt

Kouign-Amann--recipe-Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

Cooking instructions

Preparing the dough for the Kouign-Amann cake: In a bowl, mix salt and flour. Dissolve yeast in warm water, make a well in the center of the flour, and mix the ingredients gradually. Form a ball of dough which should be smooth and elastic. Leave to stand and raise for at least one hour in a warm place. You can make the dough with a bread machine if you have one, using the pizza dough program.

Preparation of the layering: To prevent the dough from sticking, put flour over your countertop. Place the dough and flatten it with your rolling pin. Repeat with the butter, giving it a round shape, and drop it onto the dough. Put the sugar on top. Fold the dough over itself, flatten it with the rolling pin, and rotate the flattened dough a quarter turn. Repeat the same process four times to get a nice puff preparation.

Baking the Kouign-Amann cake: If you prepare a large Kouign-Amann, flatten it slightly with your rolling pin to give the dough a round shape. Drop it into a previously buttered mold. Draw a few grids on top with a knife. Brush your Kouign-Amann with the mix of milk and egg yolk. Bake at 390°F (200°C) for 35 to 40 minutes.

If you prepare mini Kouign-Amann or “kouignettes,” Roll the dough over itself, reserve it in a cool place for ten minutes, and then cut into 12 slices with a knife. Place each slice into a buttered pan (muffin pans or silicone mold ). Bake for about 30 minutes at 390°F (200°C).

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best-Kouign-Amann-Cake-Photo credit: © Eatwell101.com

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Nutrition Info (Beta version)
* The presented values are approximate and shouldn't be considered as accurate. Please calculate your OWN nutrition information in a database using the brand names you have at hand. Each brand is different and nutrition information can vary.
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