French Butter Cake Recipe

Introduction

French Butter Cake is a tender, rich dessert with a perfect balance of buttery flavor and subtle sweetness. This simple yet elegant cake is perfect for afternoon tea or a cozy dessert any day of the week.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅔ cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar and melted butter. Mix for about 1 minute until the mixture is light and airy.
3. Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Step 5: Gently fold in the sour cream until fully incorporated.
6. Step 6: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the top.
7. Step 7: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
8. Step 8: Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a teaspoon of almond extract along with the vanilla.
• You can substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to reduce fat while keeping moisture.
• Top the cake with fresh berries or a dusting of powdered sugar for a decorative touch.

Storage

Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Reheat slices gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to enjoy warm.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

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

Yes, but the texture may be slightly denser. To mimic cake flour, you can substitute 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour per cup with cornstarch.

Is it necessary to let the eggs come to room temperature?

Using room temperature eggs helps the batter blend more evenly, resulting in a lighter, more tender cake, but you can bake with cold eggs if needed.

French Butter Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 108 reviews

This classic French Butter Cake is a rich and tender dessert featuring a buttery, moist crumb enhanced by sour cream and vanilla. Perfectly golden with a sweet sugar topping, it’s an elegant yet simple cake to bake for any occasion.

• Author: Rico
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
• Total Time: 45-50 minutes
• Yield: 9 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Batter

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
• 3 eggs, room temperature
• 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups cake flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ⅔ cup sour cream

Topping

• 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish thoroughly to prevent sticking.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, combine the granulated sugar and melted butter. Mix for about 1 minute until the mixture becomes light and airy, which helps create a fluffy texture in the final cake.
3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract, ensuring everything is well combined for a smooth batter.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the batter which can make the cake dense.
5. Fold in Sour Cream: Gently fold the sour cream into the batter to add moisture and richness, being careful not to deflate the mixture.
6. Prepare for Baking: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly over the top to create a slightly crunchy, sweet crust.
7. Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean, indicating it’s fully cooked.
8. Cool and Serve: Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan before slicing to ensure clean cuts and best texture.

Notes

• Room temperature eggs help to create a smoother and more even batter.
• Using cake flour ensures a tender crumb; all-purpose flour can be used but may yield a denser cake.
• Sour cream adds moisture and slight tang; you can substitute with Greek yogurt if preferred.
• Make sure not to overmix the batter once the flour is added to avoid a tough texture.
• This cake is delicious served on its own or with a dollop of whipped cream or fresh berries.

Keywords: French Butter Cake, classic cake recipe, moist butter cake, sour cream cake, easy dessert