This classic French Butter Cake Recipe delivers everything you could want in a homemade dessert: a tender, buttery crumb with a golden exterior and the most heavenly vanilla flavor. Known as “Gâteau au Beurre” in France, this simple yet elegant cake has been a beloved staple in French patisseries for generations.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This French Butter Cake Recipe stands out from other cake recipes for several compelling reasons. The texture is absolutely divine – imagine biting into a cloud of buttery goodness that melts on your tongue. Unlike many cake recipes that can turn out dry or dense, this French technique ensures a moist, tender crumb every single time.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity. You don’t need any fancy equipment or hard-to-find ingredients – just pantry staples that come together to create something truly special. The melted butter technique creates an incredibly rich flavor while keeping the cake amazingly moist for days.
What makes this French Butter Cake Recipe particularly special is its versatility. Serve it plain with afternoon tea, dust it with powdered sugar for an elegant dessert, or dress it up with fresh berries and whipped cream for special occasions. The subtle vanilla flavor pairs beautifully with everything from coffee to champagne.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for topping
How to Make French Butter Cake Recipe
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan with butter and lightly dust with flour, tapping out any excess. This ensures your French Butter Cake releases perfectly from the pan.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until well combined. The mixture should be smooth and glossy. Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients In a separate bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agents throughout your French Butter Cake Recipe.
Step 4: Alternate Adding Ingredients Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the sour cream in two additions. Begin and end with the flour mixture. Mix just until combined after each addition – overmixing can result in a tough cake.
Step 5: Bake the Cake Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth the top gently. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of sugar evenly over the surface. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the top is golden brown.
Step 6: Cool and Serve Allow the cake to cool in the pan for 10 minutes before turning it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. The sugar topping will create a beautiful, slightly crispy crust.
Helpful Tips
Room Temperature Ingredients are Key: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature before starting. This helps create a smoother batter and better texture in your finished French Butter Cake Recipe.
Don’t Overmix: Once you add the flour, mix just until the ingredients are combined. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, resulting in a tough, dense cake.
Use Cake Flour: Cake flour has less protein than all-purpose flour, which creates a more tender crumb. If you don’t have cake flour, you can substitute by removing 2 tablespoons from each cup of all-purpose flour and adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch.
Sour Cream Secret: The sour cream adds incredible moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness. Don’t skip this ingredient – it’s what makes this French Butter Cake Recipe so special.
Check for Doneness: Your cake is done when it springs back lightly when touched in the center and just starts to pull away from the sides of the pan.
Details
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Total Time: 50-55 minutes
Servings: 8-10 slices
Difficulty: Easy
Category: Dessert
Cuisine: French
Diet: Vegetarian
Notes
This French Butter Cake Recipe is incredibly forgiving and perfect for beginner bakers. The melted butter method makes it nearly impossible to overmix, and the sour cream ensures the cake stays moist even if you accidentally overbake it slightly.
For best results, measure your flour by weight if possible. If using measuring cups, spoon the flour into the cup and level it off with a knife rather than scooping directly from the bag, which can pack the flour and result in a dry cake.
The sugar topping is traditional and adds a lovely textural contrast, but you can omit it if you prefer. Some bakers like to add a pinch of cinnamon to the sugar topping for extra warmth and spice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this French Butter Cake Recipe ahead of time? Absolutely! This cake actually improves in flavor after a day. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted? While unsalted butter is preferred for better control over the salt content, you can use salted butter. Just reduce the added salt to ½ teaspoon.
What can I substitute for sour cream? You can substitute Greek yogurt, buttermilk, or crème fraîche in equal amounts. Each will give slightly different results, but all work well.
Can I make this in a different pan size? Yes! This recipe works in a 9×13 inch pan (bake for 25-30 minutes) or two 8-inch round pans (bake for 28-32 minutes). Adjust baking time accordingly.
Why is my cake dense? Dense cake usually results from overmixing the batter or using too much flour. Make sure to mix just until ingredients are combined and measure flour accurately.
Storage Instructions
Store your French Butter Cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, wrap individual slices in plastic wrap and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
If you’ve added any fresh fruit or cream toppings, store the cake in the refrigerator and consume within 2 days.
Conclusion
This French Butter Cake Recipe proves that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most satisfying. With its tender crumb, rich buttery flavor, and foolproof technique, it’s destined to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Whether you’re serving it for a special occasion or enjoying a quiet slice with your morning coffee, this classic French cake delivers comfort and elegance in every bite.
The beauty of mastering this French Butter Cake Recipe lies not just in the delicious results, but in the confidence it builds. Once you’ve perfected this technique, you’ll have the foundation for countless variations and the skills to tackle more complex French pastries. So preheat that oven, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to a slice of French baking tradition.