Gâteau Basque

This classic Basque cake consists of two layers of shortcrust pastry and either a filling made with black cherry preserve or, more often, vanilla-flavored pastry cream. If made with black cherries, the top of the cake is usually decorated with the Basque cross (lauburu), while the version with pastry cream typically comes with a crosshatch pattern. Apart from vanilla, common flavorings may also include lemon zest, rum, or almond extract. Although it is traditionally associated with the entire French Basque Country, it is believed that the cake originated in the former French province of Labourd.