Artist’s Palate: Camille Henrot’s gâteau Manon
Treat yourself to the French artist’s great-grandmother’s sophisticated gâteau recipe

Camille Henrot is capable of many things: explaining the creation of the universe in 13 minutes (as she did in Grosse Fatigue, which stole the show at the 2013 Venice Biennale); taking over the entire Palais de Tokyo (2017); and even designing a capsule fashion collection (last year, in collaboration with cashmere label Parenti’s). She is, however, ‘very bad at using technological kitchen utensils’, which is why her gâteau Manon doesn’t require an oven.
The recipe is inherited from her great-grandmother Marie-Thérèse, nicknamed Manon, who lived until the age of 104. Says the New York-based French artist, ‘I like that it uses industrial biscuits with a sophisticated shape, only to crush them into pieces for a cake that, in the end, looks very simple.’
Ingredients
200g dry biscuits, such as Leibniz
200g sugar
200g soft butter
2 eggs
1 cup of strong coffee
Method
Grind the biscuits into small pieces, then add the sugar and butter and mix well. Stir in the eggs, one at a time, and the coffee, little by little. Blend for 20 minutes. Put buttered greaseproof paper in a mold, and pour in the cake mix. Garnish, if desired, with whipped cream and caramelised almonds, then leave in the fridge to set.
A version of this article originally featured in the December 2019 issue of Wallpaper* (W*249)
INFORMATION
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
TF Chan is a former editor of Wallpaper* (2020-23), where he was responsible for the monthly print magazine, planning, commissioning, editing and writing long-lead content across all pillars. He also played a leading role in multi-channel editorial franchises, such as Wallpaper’s annual Design Awards, Guest Editor takeovers and Next Generation series. He aims to create world-class, visually-driven content while championing diversity, international representation and social impact. TF joined Wallpaper* as an intern in January 2013, and served as its commissioning editor from 2017-20, winning a 30 under 30 New Talent Award from the Professional Publishers’ Association. Born and raised in Hong Kong, he holds an undergraduate degree in history from Princeton University.
-
All-In is the Paris-based label making full-force fashion for main character dressing
Part of our monthly Uprising series, Wallpaper* meets Benjamin Barron and Bror August Vestbø of All-In, the LVMH Prize-nominated label which bases its collections on a riotous cast of characters – real and imagined
By Orla Brennan
-
Maserati joins forces with Giorgetti for a turbo-charged relationship
Announcing their marriage during Milan Design Week, the brands unveiled a collection, a car and a long term commitment
By Hugo Macdonald
-
Through an innovative new training program, Poltrona Frau aims to safeguard Italian craft
The heritage furniture manufacturer is training a new generation of leather artisans
By Cristina Kiran Piotti
-
Artist’s Palate: Cerith Wyn Evans’ recipe for Laverbread
Deep-dive into Cerith Wyn Evans’ gleaming, gelatinous recipe for Laverbread, as seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith
-
Helen Pashgian’s recipe for summer corn
Try Light and Space artist Helen Pashgian’s characteristically precise recipe for ‘summer corn’, as seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith
-
Artist’s Palate: Dolce & Gabbana’s pasta alla Norma
‘We like the simplest recipes of the Sicilian tradition,’ say designers Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana of their choice of pasta alla Norma for this month’s Artist’s Palate. Here, the recipe to make the definitively Italian dish yourself
By TF Chan
-
Artist’s Palate: Cooking Sections’ ‘Back to Earth’ tomatoes on toast
Enjoy Cooking Sections’ tomatoes on toast (pictured with a Seaweed Seeper), which is served at The Magazine alongside chickpea tabbouleh, and rhurbarb and quinoa cake. As seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By TF Chan
-
Artist’s Palate: Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s recipe for omelette aux frites
Travel to a new dimension with Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster’s recipe for omelette aux frites. As seen in this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd Smith
-
Artist’s Palate: Shilpa Gupta’s recipe for methi thepla
‘This simple homemade bread is my childhood favourite comfort food,’ says Mumbai-based artist Shilpa Gupta of her methi thepla recipe for this month’s Artist’s Palate feature, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Harriet Lloyd-Smith
-
Bosco Sodi’s recipe for Brussels sprouts
Gather round for Bosco Sodi’s simple yet imposing recipe for Brussels sprouts.
By TF Chan
-
Mickalene Thomas’ recipe for duck with chimichurri
Try Mickalene Thomas’ take on a much-cherished recipe for duck with chimichurri. As featured in our monthly Artist’s Palate series, a Wallpaper* homage to our favourite contemporary art
By Pei-Ru Keh