Description
French Butter Cake brings comfort straight from France’s bakeries to your kitchen table. Delicate crumb and rich buttery flavor make this simple dessert a delightful treat perfect for afternoon tea or after-dinner indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup (226g / 8 oz) unsalted butter
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 ½ cups (190g) all-purpose flour
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Optional Garnish:
- Powdered sugar
- Fruit compote
Instructions
- Gather butter at room temperature for 226 grams (1 cup) and cream with 200 grams (1 cup) granulated sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes pale and airy, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Add 4 large room-temperature eggs individually, blending thoroughly after each addition to ensure smooth integration.
- Incorporate 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract into the butter mixture, stirring gently.
- Separately combine 190 grams (1 ½ cups) all-purpose flour with 1 teaspoon baking powder and ¼ teaspoon salt, whisking until evenly distributed.
- Fold dry ingredients into wet mixture, mixing just until ingredients are combined without overmixing.
- Transfer batter to a greased 9-inch round cake pan lined with parchment paper, spreading evenly with a spatula.
- Position pan in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 35-45 minutes until the surface turns golden brown.
- Check cake’s doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean without wet batter.
- Allow cake to rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then carefully transfer to a wire cooling rack.
- Once completely cooled, dust with optional powdered sugar or serve with fruit compote.
Notes
- Ensure butter is truly room temperature for the smoothest, most even cake texture.
- Avoid overmixing the batter after adding flour, which can make the cake tough and dense.
- Use a light hand when folding dry ingredients to keep the cake tender and delicate.
- For a gluten-free version, swap all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend.
- Prep Time: 38 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-45 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 528
- Sugar: 38g
- Sodium: 137mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13g
- Trans Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 119mg