Name: French Butter Cake
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar; 4 large eggs; 2 cups cake flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract or zest of 1 lemon (optional); 1/2 cup whole milk or heavy cream

Golden, velvety, and just the right amount of rich, French Butter Cake is what cozy afternoon dreams are made of. This old-world treat is all about simplicity, letting the quality of butter and vanilla shine through in every buttery bite. It strikes a beautiful balance between soft and slightly crisp edges, making it hard to stop at just one slice.

Whether you’re serving it as a refined dessert for guests or sneaking a piece with your morning coffee, French Butter Cake brings a gentle elegance to the table. Its tender crumb and subtle sweetness make it endlessly versatile, with just enough richness to feel indulgent without being heavy. If you’ve never tried it, you’re in for a very French kind of comfort.

Why You’ll Love This French Butter Cake

This cake doesn’t rely on frostings or fillings to impress. Instead, it leans into the lush flavor of good butter, fragrant vanilla, and a hint of almond or citrus, depending on your twist. It’s incredibly easy to prepare and works beautifully as a make-ahead dessert, since the flavor deepens after a day or two. And honestly? It’s even better slightly warm with a dollop of whipped cream or fruit.

What Makes French Butter Cake Different From Pound Cake?

French Butter Cake may sound like its close cousin, the pound cake, but it leans more delicate. The texture is finer and more tender, often from the use of cake flour and generous creaming of butter and sugar. It also includes a touch more sugar and eggs, resulting in a slightly more luxurious mouthfeel. Where pound cake can be dense, French Butter Cake remains light while still rich.

Ingredients for the French Butter Cake

This cake celebrates classic pantry ingredients, but the key is quality—especially when it comes to butter and vanilla. Every element plays an essential role in flavor and texture, and together they create that signature French richness.

Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Eggs
Cake flour
Baking powder
Salt
Pure vanilla extract
Almond extract or citrus zest (optional)
Whole milk or heavy cream

How To Make the French Butter Cake

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

Start by beating the unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process is crucial to achieving the cake’s soft, tender crumb.

Step 2: Add the Eggs

Beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing each to incorporate fully before adding the next. This ensures a smooth batter and stable structure.

Step 3: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. This keeps the batter light and prevents overmixing later.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Add the dry mixture into the creamed batter in batches, alternating with milk or heavy cream. Finish with the vanilla extract and any optional flavors like almond extract or citrus zest.

Step 5: Bake Until Golden

Pour the batter into a prepared pan and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 to 45 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Let it cool slightly before slicing.

How to Serve and Store French Butter Cake

This buttery beauty serves 8 to 10 people and makes a lovely centerpiece for any casual brunch or elegant dessert table. For serving, you can dust it lightly with powdered sugar or pair it with macerated berries and whipped cream. It’s also divine on its own, slightly warm with coffee or tea.

To store, keep it wrapped in foil or an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. You can refrigerate it for a week or freeze for up to 3 months—just be sure to thaw it at room temperature to keep the texture perfect.

What to Serve With French Butter Cake?

Fresh Berries and Cream

The light tartness of berries cuts through the richness of the cake. Add a dollop of whipped cream for a classic pairing.

Vanilla Ice Cream

When served slightly warm, this cake and a scoop of ice cream become an irresistible duo.

Lemon Curd

For a citrusy zing, lemon curd adds brightness and contrast that plays beautifully with the buttery base.

Espresso or Strong Coffee

The boldness of coffee highlights the cake’s subtle sweetness and makes for a lovely breakfast or afternoon treat.

Roasted Stone Fruit

Try warm roasted plums or peaches drizzled with a little honey to enhance the cake’s depth.

Caramel Drizzle

If you want to lean into indulgence, a little salted caramel adds a sticky-sweet finish.

A Dusting of Powdered Sugar

Simple and elegant, this keeps the cake looking classic without overpowering its flavors.

Want More Cake Ideas?

If you loved this French Butter Cake, you might enjoy these delightful takes on cake from Janet Dishes:

Decadent Pistachio Cream Cake for a nutty twist with a silky filling.
Butter Pecan Pound Cake when you want rich and nutty with crunchy bits.
Carrot Pound Cake with Vanilla Glaze to bring warm spices into the mix.
Ooey Gooey Butter Cake for an ultra-rich, melt-in-your-mouth experience.
Classic French Butter Cookies when you want the same buttery flavor in bite-sized form.

Save This Recipe For Later

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you go classic, or did you sneak in a little lemon zest or almond extract? Maybe you tried it with berries or a scoop of ice cream?

I love seeing your creative twists. And if you have questions, don’t hesitate to ask. We’re all here to bake something beautiful together.

Explore beautifully curated health-boosting drinks and daily treats on Janet Dishes on Pinterest and discover your new go-to for comfort and flavor.

Conclusion

French Butter Cake is a shining example of how a few humble ingredients can create something deeply satisfying and effortlessly elegant. It’s a recipe you’ll return to again and again—for gatherings, quiet moments, or just because your kitchen deserves the smell of warm butter and vanilla floating through it.