Classic French Butter Cake – Rich, Moist & Buttery Bliss!
Introduction
Experience the ultimate in elegance with a Classic French Butter Cake—where every bite promises rich, buttery perfection. This timeless European dessert balances a moist crumb and deep flavor, making it an ideal centerpiece for gatherings, celebrations, or any moment worthy of a little extra indulgence. Its simple yet sophisticated ingredients guarantee a showstopping treat that pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or fresh fruit.
Why You’ll Love This French Butter Cake
What sets the French Butter Cake apart is its irresistible texture: golden and lightly crisp on the outside, meltingly moist and tender within. The use of high-quality butter and just a hint of vanilla extract allow the simple flavors to truly shine. Whether enjoyed with afternoon tea or as a sophisticated finish to a dinner party, this cake never fails to impress a crowd with its richness and classic charm.
Secrets to a Perfectly Moist Butter Cake
The secret to a lusciously moist French butter cake lies in using room-temperature ingredients and creaming the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. Adding eggs one at a time ensures an airy, delicate crumb, while a just-right bake time yields the signature golden crust without drying out the interior. For extra flavor dimension, a few drops of almond extract or a sprinkle of lemon zest can be added.
Serving Suggestions for French Butter Cake Mastery
Serve generous slices plain to let the buttery flavor shine, or dust lightly with confectioners’ sugar for elegance. This cake also pairs beautifully with seasonal berry compotes, softly whipped cream, or a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce. For a Parisian-style café experience, pair with espresso and enjoy as a luxurious afternoon treat.
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
A typical 9-inch round French butter cake yields 8 to 10 servings, with each slice providing around 340–380 calories depending on serving size and choice of toppings. This rich treat is best served in modest portions to savor its full-flavored intensity.
Classic French Butter Cake Recap
Each forkful of this French Butter Cake delivers rich, moist, buttery bliss—a surefire crowd pleaser for any festive occasion or cozy evening in. Its classic ingredients and reliable technique make it as approachable for home bakers as it is sophisticated in flavor.
Ingredients
💡 Meal Planning Tip: Save this recipe in CookifyAI to instantly generate a smart, organized shopping list. Ingredients are sorted by grocery aisle, helping you shop more efficiently and be fully prepped for baking!
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line with parchment paper for easy release.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3–5 minutes. This aerates the batter for a tender crumb.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla and optional almond extract (plus lemon zest, if using).
- On low speed, alternate adding flour mixture and milk, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix.
- Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 36–42 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs and the top is golden.
- Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners’ sugar before serving, if desired.
Weekly Meal Planning
French Butter Cake is a wonderful make-ahead dessert for weekly meal planning. Prepare it in advance and enjoy stress-free entertaining or quick, elegant treats during the week.
Save and schedule this recipe in CookifyAI to plan your baking days and generate comprehensive shopping lists that consolidate ingredients across all planned meals and desserts.
Planning Benefits:
- Automatically calculates ingredient totals for all scheduled recipes
- Organizes shopping lists by grocery store sections
- Reduces duplicate purchases and streamlines meal prep
- Helps you shop efficiently so no sweet craving goes unsatisfied
Pro tip: Plan your week so leftover eggs or milk from your French butter cake can be used in breakfast or other baking projects, reducing food waste and saving time!
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 38 minutes
Total Time: 58 minutes
Enjoy every decadent bite of this Classic French Butter Cake—and let CookifyAI make your meal planning and shopping a true French-style breeze!
