French Butter Cake

Introduction

Few desserts showcase simple elegance like the classic French Butter Cake, also known as “Gâteau Breton.” With its golden, tender crumb and deep, rich butter flavor, this cake transforms pantry staples into an indulgent treat. Perfect for afternoon tea, special occasions, or as a sophisticated finale to any meal, French Butter Cake is a reliable crowd-pleaser due to its melt-in-your-mouth texture and understated sweetness.

Deliciously Unique French Butter Cake

What makes French Butter Cake extraordinary is its delicate balance—a moist, dense crumb paired with just enough sweetness to let premium butter shine. Unlike lighter cakes, this recipe emphasizes richness and subtlety, inviting appreciation for quality ingredients. Its crosshatched top finish gives it a beautiful French patisserie flair, making it as visually inviting as it is delicious.

Choosing the Right Butter for Authentic Flavor

The soul of this cake lies in the butter. Choose a European-style, high-fat butter for the richest taste and best texture. Let the butter soften completely so it blends seamlessly with the sugar, creating a creamy base essential for the cake’s signature density and flavor. If you wish, a touch of sea salt heightens the richness and nuance of the final product.

Baking and Serving Your French Butter Cake

French Butter Cake is traditionally baked in a round or tart pan, then glazed with a light egg wash and scored with a fork for that iconic decorative pattern. Allow the cake to cool before slicing—it’s even better the next day as the flavors deepen and the crumb develops. Serve in thin wedges, perhaps with a spoonful of softly whipped cream or a scattering of fresh berries.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe yields one 9-inch cake, serving 8 to 10 people. Each slice contains approximately 300 to 350 calories, making it a worthy treat best enjoyed in moderation.

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9-inch round cake pan or tart pan with parchment paper.
2. In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy (about 2-3 minutes).
3. Add 3 egg yolks and the vanilla extract, beating until well incorporated. Reserve the fourth yolk for the glaze.
4. Sift in the flour and salt, and mix just until a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix.
5. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. For a traditional finish, beat the reserved egg yolk with a tablespoon of water and brush over the top.
6. Use the tines of a fork to crosshatch a pattern across the surface of the cake.
7. Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the cake is golden and set. Let cool completely before removing from the pan and slicing.

Weekly Meal Planning

French Butter Cake is a wonderful make-ahead treat for weekly baking—its flavor improves after a day or two. Save and schedule this recipe with CookifyAI to seamlessly integrate it into your meal plan and create a consolidated grocery list for all your weekly cooking.

Planning Benefits:

• Automatically totals ingredient amounts across different recipes
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• Reduces duplicate purchases and helps avoid missed ingredients
• Makes weekly baking and meal prep simple and streamlined

Pro tip: Planning to bake more than once this week? Schedule all your recipes and let CookifyAI tell you exactly how much butter, eggs, and flour to get—eliminating guesswork, reducing food waste, and giving you confidence that you’re prepared for each bake.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes (plus cooling)

French Butter Cake delivers a memorable, buttery richness in an elegant, easy-to-prepare dessert—a sure hit for both family treats and entertaining guests.