Description
This French Butter Cake recipe is a rich, tender classic made with real butter, cake flour, and vanilla. A perfect tea-time treat or elegant dessert, it’s lighter than pound cake and easy to make ahead. Learn how to make this timeless French favorite that pairs beautifully with berries, lemon curd, or coffee.
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
Instructions
1. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
2. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Alternate adding dry ingredients with milk or cream into the batter.
5. Stir in vanilla and optional almond extract or citrus zest.
6. Pour into a greased baking pan and smooth the top.
7. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40–45 minutes until golden and toothpick comes out clean.
8. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring to a rack.
9. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
This cake is even better the next day as the flavors settle.
Use high-quality butter for the best texture and taste.
Don’t skip the creaming step—it creates the softest crumb.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Cakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 110mg