Why You’ll Love This Recipe
French Butter Cake is a quintessential cake recipe that’s both easy to make and full of flavor. The rich, buttery base makes it incredibly moist and satisfying, while the subtle sweetness and hint of vanilla elevate the taste. The beauty of this cake lies in its simplicity—it’s perfect on its own, but also versatile enough to pair with a variety of toppings, such as fresh fruit, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate ganache. It’s an elegant, crowd-pleasing dessert that can be made any time you’re craving something comforting yet refined.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup whole milk
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Preheat the Oven:
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan. - Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes of mixing. - Add Eggs and Vanilla:
Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated. - Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. - Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Start and finish with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake light and tender. - Pour Batter:
Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even layer. - Bake the Cake:
Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. - Cool the Cake:
Once baked, remove the cake from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. - Decorate:
Once cooled, you can serve the cake as is or add your favorite frosting, ganache, or fresh fruit for an extra touch of elegance.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 8-10
- Total Time: 44 minutes (including prep and baking time)
Variations
- Citrus Twist: Add a tablespoon of lemon or orange zest to the batter for a fresh, citrusy flavor.
- Berry Addition: Mix in fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries into the batter before baking to give the cake a fruity burst.
- Chocolate Lovers: Fold in some chocolate chips or cocoa powder for a richer, chocolatey flavor.
- Nutty Flavor: Add chopped nuts, like almonds or walnuts, into the batter for an added crunch and flavor.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
- Reheating: Reheat slices of the cake in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, fresh treat.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter for this recipe?
It’s best to use unsalted butter for this recipe to control the amount of salt in the cake. If you only have salted butter, you can reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.
Can I use a different type of flour?
While all-purpose flour is the best option for this recipe, you can try substituting with cake flour for a lighter, more delicate texture.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?
Yes, this cake can be made ahead of time. You can bake it a day or two in advance, and it will keep well stored in an airtight container.
How can I make this cake more moist?
The cake is already moist thanks to the butter and milk, but if you want to increase the moisture, you can try adding a tablespoon of sour cream or buttermilk to the batter.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
Yes, you can substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check that your baking powder is also gluten-free if you need to maintain a gluten-free recipe.
Can I add frosting to this cake?
Absolutely! This cake pairs beautifully with buttercream frosting, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of chocolate ganache. It’s also perfect with fresh fruit or a dusting of powdered sugar.
Why is my cake dense?
If your cake turns out dense, it may be due to overmixing the batter or using cold ingredients. Be sure to mix just until combined and let your ingredients come to room temperature before mixing.
Can I bake this cake in a different-sized pan?
Yes, if you use a different pan size, the baking time may change. If you use a smaller pan, the cake will likely bake faster, so keep an eye on it and check with a toothpick.
Can I make this cake in a different flavor?
Yes, you can customize the flavor by adding extracts such as almond, hazelnut, or coconut, or by folding in fruit, nuts, or chocolate chips.
Can I serve this cake cold?
While this cake is typically served at room temperature, you can serve it cold if you prefer. Just make sure to let it cool completely before storing it in the fridge.
Conclusion
This French Butter Cake is the perfect balance of rich, buttery flavor and tender, moist texture. Whether you enjoy it plain or add your favorite frosting, it’s a versatile and elegant dessert that everyone will love. With just a few simple ingredients and easy steps, you can create a delicious, classic cake that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether for a birthday, a gathering, or just a sweet treat, this cake is sure to impress.
French Butter Cakes: An Amazing Ultimate Recipe You Must Try
- Total Time: 44 minutes
- Yield: 8-10 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
French Butter Cake combines rich, buttery flavor with a soft, tender crumb. This simple yet elegant cake is perfect for any occasion and can be easily customized with various toppings.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup whole milk
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9-inch round cake pan.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-5 minutes of mixing.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with the whole milk. Start and finish with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cake light and tender.
- Pour Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan, smoothing the top with a spatula to ensure an even layer.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool the Cake: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven. Let it cool in the pan for 15-20 minutes, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Decorate: Once cooled, you can serve the cake as is or add your favorite frosting, ganache, or fresh fruit for an extra touch of elegance.
Notes
Storage: Store any leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep it fresh for longer, refrigerate it for up to 5 days.
Freezing: You can freeze the cake for up to 3 months. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe container. Let it thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating: Reheat slices of the cake in the microwave for 10-15 seconds for a warm, fresh treat.
Variations: Add lemon or orange zest, mix in fresh berries, or fold in chocolate chips or chopped nuts for added flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 23g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
