Before we dive into this golden, tender, beautifully simple cake, I just want to say thank you for being here. Truly. Sharing these classic, comforting bakes with you—especially ones that fill the kitchen with that buttery, sweet aroma—is such a joy. And today’s recipe? Ohhh, this one is a keeper.
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What This Recipe Is All About
This French Butter Cake is a soft, velvety, melt-in-your-mouth classic—somewhere between a buttery pound cake and a tender French gâteau. It’s rich yet delicate, simple yet sophisticated, and absolutely perfect with coffee, tea, or fresh berries.
And the best part? It comes together in 10 minutes of prep with pantry staples.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ultra-buttery flavor thanks to melted butter and sour cream
- Soft, fine crumb thanks to cake flour
- Elegant enough for guests but easy enough for a weekday
- Bakes beautifully every time
- Perfect base for fruit, whipped cream, or glazes
- Not too sweet—just right
What Does French Butter Cake Taste Like?
Imagine the tenderness of a pound cake… but lighter.
The richness of a shortbread… but fluffier.
A golden crust on top with a sugar-sparkled crunch, and a moist, buttery interior that practically melts on your tongue.
This cake is warm, cozy, elegant, AND deeply satisfying. Anything but boring!!
Benefits of This Recipe
- Only 1 bowl + 1 small bowl
- Short ingredient list
- Quick prep and bake
- Makes a great dessert, snack, or brunch cake
- Travels well for potlucks and gatherings
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter (2 sticks), melted
- 3 eggs, room temperature
- 2½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups cake flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ⅔ cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (for topping)
Tools You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or hand mixer
- 9×9-inch baking dish
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Rubber spatula
- Sifter (optional but recommended)
Optional Additions & Substitutions
Add-ins
- Lemon zest – for a bright, citrusy twist
- Almond extract – replace ½ tsp vanilla
- Fresh berries – fold in 1 cup gently
- Chocolate chips – ½ to 1 cup
- Sliced almonds – sprinkle on top before baking
Substitutions
- All-purpose flour → use 2 cups minus 4 tbsp, plus 4 tbsp cornstarch
- Greek yogurt instead of sour cream
- Brown sugar for sprinkling instead of granulated
How to Make French Butter Cake
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×9-inch baking dish.
Step 2: Mix the wet ingredients
In a large bowl, beat together the sugar and melted butter for 1 minute until lighter and slightly airy.
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each.
Stir in vanilla.
Step 3: Combine dry ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift cake flour, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4: Bring the batter together
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined—don’t overmix!
Fold in the sour cream gently for that unbelievably tender crumb.
Step 5: Bake
Transfer batter to the prepared dish.
Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar evenly on top. This creates that signature delicate crust!
Bake 30–35 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6: Cool
Let the cake cool completely before slicing so the crumb sets properly.
Slice. Serve. Swoon.
What to Serve With French Butter Cake
- Fresh strawberries or blueberries
- A dollop of whipped cream
- Lemon curd
- Simple powdered sugar glaze
- A drizzle of honey
- Vanilla ice cream (oh yes!)
Tips for the Best Butter Cake
- Use room-temperature eggs so the batter blends smoothly.
- Don’t overmix after adding flour—keeps the crumb tender.
- Sift the flour for extra lightness.
- Let the cake cool fully before slicing for clean edges.
- Use real butter (not margarine!) for best flavor.
Storage Instructions
- Room temperature: 3–4 days covered
- Refrigerator: Up to 6 days
- Freezer: Freeze slices up to 2 months; thaw at room temp
General Information
- Course: Dessert, Snack, Brunch Cake
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: French-inspired / Home-style
- Difficulty: Easy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bake this in a round cake pan?
Absolutely—use a 9-inch round pan and watch the bake time (may finish a few minutes earlier).
Can I add frosting?
Yes! A thin vanilla glaze, lemon icing, or even cream cheese frosting tastes amazing.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but reduce added salt to ½ teaspoon.
My cake browned fast—what happened?
Every oven varies. If it browns too quickly, tent with foil during the last 10 minutes.
Conclusion
This French Butter Cake is rich, tender, and beautifully simple—the kind of recipe you’ll reach for again and again. Whether you serve it for brunch, tea time, or dressed up with fruit for dessert, it’s always a crowd-pleaser and always delicious.
If you love buttery, elegant bakes, try these next:
- Classic Financiers
- Vanilla Bean Pound Cake
- French Yogurt Cake
Let’s Stay Connected
If you bake this beauty, I’d love to see it! Share photos or leave a review on Pinterest so we can drool over it together.
Nutritional Information (Approx. per slice, 12 servings)
- Calories: ~285
- Fat: ~15g
- Carbs: ~33g
- Protein: ~3g
- Sugar: ~21g
Enjoy every buttery, melt-in-your-mouth bite! 🧈✨
