French Butter Cake Recipe

Get ready to fall head over heels with this French Butter Cake Recipe—a rich, melt-in-your-mouth treat that combines a tender crumb with irresistibly buttery flavor. Imagine a golden cake that’s crisp on top, delicately fluffy inside, and kissed with the fragrance of vanilla—a simple yet show-stopping dessert you’ll want to bake again and again. Each bite transports you to a cozy French kitchen, where baking is more than a routine—it’s an experience to savor with those you love.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this French Butter Cake Recipe is in its uncomplicated ingredient list—each one is chosen to create a cake that’s decadent yet balanced. These pantry classics transform into a dessert that tastes anything but ordinary, with each component lending something special to the flavor, texture, or harmony of the cake.

• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create the crisp, golden top that makes this cake so irresistible.
• Unsalted Butter (melted): The star of the show, giving the cake its signature rich texture and flavor—use high-quality butter if you can!
• Eggs (room temperature): Essential for structure, tenderness, and that luscious, slightly custardy crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds warmth and aromatic depth, making the cake wonderfully fragrant.
• Cake Flour: Lighter than all-purpose, it ensures your cake is delicately soft and fine-textured.
• Baking Powder: Gives your cake its lift and lightness—don’t skip it!
• Salt: Enhances all the delicious flavors and keeps the sweetness in balance.
• Sour Cream: The secret weapon for tenderness and subtle tang, keeping the cake moist for days.
• Granulated Sugar (for topping): A simple sprinkle adds crunch and sparkle, making each slice extra special.

How to Make French Butter Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat

Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×9-inch baking dish. This ensures your French Butter Cake Recipe bakes evenly and lifts out easily. Lining the bottom with parchment is optional, but it makes slicing and serving even simpler—plus, no one likes a stick-to-the-bottom disaster!

Step 2: Cream Sugar and Butter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and melted unsalted butter. Beat these together for about a minute—no skimping! This brief creaming helps create that airy, melt-in-your-mouth softness that sends everyone back for seconds.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition to keep the batter silky-smooth. Stir in the vanilla extract, and watch as the batter turns glossy and fragrant, hinting at the magic to come.

Step 4: Sift and Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until it’s combined. Over-mixing here is a no-no—just a few folds will give you a tender crumb rather than a tough one.

Step 5: Fold in the Sour Cream

Gently fold in the sour cream using a spatula, just until the batter is uniform. This step gives the French Butter Cake Recipe its signature moistness—don’t rush it, and don’t over-mix.

Step 6: Pour and Sweeten the Top

Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish and smooth the top with a spatula. Now, for the finishing touch: evenly sprinkle the extra two tablespoons of granulated sugar over the surface to create that signature crackly, caramelized crust.

Step 7: Bake to Golden Perfection

Bake in your preheated oven for 30–35 minutes. The cake is done when it’s deeply golden and a toothpick poked into the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell like a French bakery by now—try to resist opening the oven too often!

Step 8: Cool, Slice, and Enjoy

Allow the cake to cool slightly in the pan before slicing. This lets the crumb set and makes it easier to serve clean, beautiful slices. Enjoy your French Butter Cake Recipe warm or at room temperature for the best flavor and texture.

How to Serve French Butter Cake Recipe

Garnishes

For a classic finish, a soft dusting of powdered sugar is all you need to complement the sparkling, caramelized top of your French Butter Cake Recipe. Feeling extra fancy? Add a few fresh berries, a dollop of whipped cream, or even a light drizzle of honey for a touch of sparkle and freshness.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs beautifully with tangy accompaniments. Try serving it with a bowl of Greek yogurt and fresh fruit, or alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream if you want to turn snack time into a full-on dessert moment. A chilled glass of sweet wine or a hot cup of coffee make excellent choices for sipping as you savor each bite.

Creative Ways to Present

Slices of the French Butter Cake Recipe look lovely on a wooden board for a rustic feel, but you can also cut the cake into petite squares and arrange them on a tiered platter for parties. Individual ramekins create adorable single-serve cakes, and a swirl of coulis or citrus zest can elevate your plating for special occasions.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store leftover French Butter Cake Recipe, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container at room temperature, for up to three days. Its tender crumb and buttery flavor will stay fresh, making it ideal for snacking or popping in lunchboxes.

Freezing

This cake also freezes beautifully! Let it cool completely, then wrap individual slices (or the whole cake) tightly in plastic and foil. Freeze for up to two months; thaw at room temperature overnight before serving, and it will taste as if you just baked it.

Reheating

For that lovely just-baked coziness, reheat individual pieces in the microwave for about 10 seconds, or warm larger sections in a 300°F oven for 5–7 minutes. This revives the cake’s aroma and makes the top delightfully crisp again.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour if cake flour is unavailable, though the result will be a bit denser. For the softest crumb, create a DIY cake flour by replacing 2 tablespoons per cup of all-purpose flour with cornstarch and then sifting well.

Is it possible to make the French Butter Cake Recipe dairy-free?

Absolutely! Substitute plant-based butter for the regular butter and use a vegan sour cream or full-fat coconut yogurt. The flavor will change slightly, but the cake remains deliciously moist and tender.

Why is my cake so dense?

Over-mixing the batter or not sifting the flour can lead to a dense cake. For best results, gently combine wet and dry ingredients and stop mixing as soon as everything is blended.

Can I bake this cake in a different sized pan?

You can! An 8×8-inch pan will result in a slightly taller cake requiring a few extra minutes in the oven. For a thinner cake, use a 9×13-inch pan, but check for doneness at the 25-minute mark, as it will bake faster.

How do I know when the French Butter Cake Recipe is done?

The cake should be deeply golden on top and a toothpick inserted into the center should emerge clean or with just a few crumbs. If you’re unsure, err on the shorter side for baking—over-baking can dry out your masterpiece.

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready for a dessert that’s heartwarming, crowd-pleasing, and melt-in-your-mouth buttery, this French Butter Cake Recipe is for you. It’s a true classic that proves the simplest ingredients, baked with care, can lead to extraordinary results. Trust me—once you try it, you’ll find yourself returning to this recipe whenever you crave a taste of everyday elegance. Give it a go, and share a slice (or two!) with someone you love.

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