French Butter Cake Recipe

Say hello to a cake you’ll never forget: the French Butter Cake Recipe is pure dessert joy, marrying plush, golden crumb with a rich, buttery aroma and an irresistibly crackly sugar top. This beloved French classic features a decadent but surprisingly straightforward batter that gives maximum flavor from minimal effort, guaranteeing that every slice is pure comfort. Whether for afternoon tea, a special breakfast treat, or a simple dinner finale, this cake’s delicate sweetness and tender texture promise to steal every show.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Though this French Butter Cake Recipe calls for just a handful of pantry staples, each ingredient earns its place in the spotlight. Think creamy butter for richness, tender cake flour for a soft crumb, and just enough vanilla and sour cream to bring everything together. Here’s what you’ll need, plus a few helpful tips for perfection every time:

• Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cake and gives that signature crunchy top—don’t skip the sprinkle before baking!
• Unsalted butter (melted): Using melted butter makes for an easy mix and creates an irresistibly rich texture in every bite.
• Eggs (room temperature): The foundation for structure; room temp eggs blend easily for an even crumb.
• Vanilla extract: Essential for that classic aromatic warmth, opt for pure vanilla if possible.
• Cake flour: This lighter flour keeps the crumb fine and tender—if you only have all-purpose, sift it well for the fluffiest results.
• Baking powder: Gives the cake its lovely rise so each slice is perfectly soft.
• Salt: Just enough to balance flavors and make the butter pop.
• Sour cream: Adds moisture and subtle tang, making the inside of this French Butter Cake Recipe impossibly plush.
• Granulated sugar (for topping): Creates that cheerful, crisp crackle that makes every forkful special.

How to Make French Butter Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat

Begin by setting the scene—preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×9-inch baking dish. This simple step ensures the cake bakes evenly and comes out of the pan with ease, so you get neat, beautiful slices.

Step 2: Whip Sugar and Melted Butter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and melted butter. Beat the mixture for about a minute, until it becomes pale, light, and slightly fluffy. This blend creates the foundation of flavor and the essential moisture the French Butter Cake Recipe is known for.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, blending each in fully before adding the next. Once the eggs are mixed in, stir in the vanilla extract. This gradual addition keeps the batter silky and ensures that the air you whipped in earlier helps the cake rise beautifully.

Step 4: Sift and Add Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined—overmixing can toughen the cake. This careful combining is key to that delicate texture that defines a true French Butter Cake Recipe.

Step 5: Fold in Sour Cream

Gently fold the sour cream into your batter. This step adds both tenderness and a subtle tang, lifting the flavor and ensuring a rich, moist crumb.

Step 6: Pour and Sprinkle

Spread the batter evenly in your prepared baking dish. For that enchanting crisp sugar top, sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar all over the surface. This final touch transforms the look and bite of every slice.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Slide your cake into the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. The cake should be golden and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The kitchen will fill with the most comforting, buttery aroma—you’ll know it’s nearly done by the smell alone!

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Let the French Butter Cake cool in the pan for a few minutes before slicing. This allows the crumb to set just enough, making it easier to cut neat squares and release the intoxicating warmth that makes this dessert so welcoming.

How to Serve French Butter Cake Recipe

Garnishes

Fresh berries are a dreamy companion to this cake—their tartness is lovely against the rich, buttery crumb. A light dusting of powdered sugar or a dollop of whipped cream will add a pretty flourish without overshadowing the cake’s simple elegance.

Side Dishes

Pair your French Butter Cake Recipe with a piping hot espresso, a milky tea, or a glass of cold milk for pure comfort. For a fancier twist, serve alongside fruit compote or a scoop of silky vanilla ice cream.

Creative Ways to Present

Try cutting the cake into bite-sized squares for a dessert platter, or slice it into rectangles for an elegant afternoon tea. For parties, place squares into pretty cupcake liners or top them with a swirl of lemon or raspberry curd for a pop of color and extra zing.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover French Butter Cake Recipe covered at room temperature for up to two days. Use a cake dome or wrap slices tightly—this helps preserve the crumb’s moisture and keeps the sugar crust delightfully crisp.

Freezing

This cake freezes beautifully. Slice it, wrap individual servings in plastic, and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to two months. Defrost in the fridge or at room temperature for a treat that’s ready whenever you are craving a cozy bite.

Reheating

Warm a slice gently in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds, or slip it into a low oven briefly until heated through. Just enough warmth will revive its buttery aroma and soften the crumb—perfect for serving with coffee any time of day.

FAQs

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

Absolutely! If cake flour isn’t in your pantry, use all-purpose flour and sift it thoroughly for a lighter texture. Your French Butter Cake Recipe will still come out beautifully moist and tender.

Why does the cake need sour cream?

Sour cream provides both moisture and a gentle tang, making the crumb extra soft and preventing the cake from drying out. It’s the secret ingredient that elevates this classic recipe.

How do I know when the cake is done baking?

The cake is ready when a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean or with just a few moist crumbs. The top should be golden and slightly crackly from the sugar sprinkle—trust your nose, too; the kitchen will smell amazing.

Can I make the French Butter Cake Recipe in advance?

Definitely! The cake keeps well for several days and can even be baked, sliced, and frozen ahead of time for easy entertaining or a quick treat whenever the craving strikes.

What makes this different from a pound cake?

Although both cakes are rich and buttery, the French Butter Cake Recipe is lighter and has a finer crumb, thanks to cake flour and the addition of sour cream, plus that unmistakable crisp sugar crust.

Final Thoughts

If you love recipes that boast both simplicity and undeniable charm, this French Butter Cake Recipe is for you. The comfort of golden butter, a cloud-soft crumb, and that irresistible sugar sparkle on top are pure happiness in every bite. Grab your favorite mug and treat yourself—you’ll be sharing the secret with friends in no time!

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