Description
Discover how to make a moist, tender, and richly flavored French Butter Cake at home with simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps. This classic French dessert boasts a soft, melt-in-your-mouth crumb and buttery aroma, perfect for impressing guests or enjoying a comforting treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for variation)
- 3 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk or heavy cream, room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Preparing Your Ingredients: Bring the butter and eggs to room temperature to ensure smooth mixing and a consistent batter. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a cake pan with butter and lightly dust with flour to prevent sticking.
- Creaming Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is pale and fluffy, incorporating air for a light texture.
- Adding Eggs and Vanilla: Beat the eggs in one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract to add aroma and depth of flavor.
- Incorporating Dry Ingredients: Sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, alternating with milk or cream—starting and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently just until combined to prevent a tough cake.
- Baking the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients like butter, eggs, and milk are at room temperature for optimal mixing and texture.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense or tough cake.
- Use a kitchen scale or proper measuring cups for accurate ingredient proportions.
- High-quality unsalted butter enhances flavor significantly.
- Rotate the cake halfway through baking to ensure even browning and rising.
- Let the cake cool completely before slicing to maintain moisture and prevent crumbling.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/8 of cake)
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg
Keywords: French Butter Cake, buttery cake, moist cake, classic French dessert, easy cake recipe