Classic French Butter Cake Recipe
Love a soft and buttery treat? This Classic French Butter Cake Recipe is your new favorite. It's simple to bake at home. Rich butter flavor melts in your mouth
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened (226g)
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
- 4 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour 180g
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk 60ml
- Zest of 1 lemon optional, for fresh twist
Instructions
Preheat and Prep the Pan
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease your 8-inch pan. Line bottom with parchment paper. This stops sticking. Takes just 2 minutes.
Cream Butter and Sugar
- Beat softened butter and sugar in a large bowl. Use mixer on medium speed. Do this for 3-4 minutes. Mixture turns light and fluffy. Scrape sides often.
Add Eggs One by One
- Add eggs one at a time. Beat well after each. Takes about 1 minute per egg. Batter may look curdled. That's okay. It smooths out later.
Mix Dry Ingredients
- Whisk flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside. This ensures even rise. No lumps in your cake.
Combine Wet and Dry
- Add half the dry mix to butter batter. Mix gently on low speed. Pour in milk and vanilla. Add lemon zest if using. Then mix in rest of dry ingredients. Fold until just combined.
Fill and Bake
- Pour batter into prepared pan. Smooth top with spatula. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Check with toothpick. It comes out clean when done.
Cool the Cake
- Remove from oven. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Turn onto rack. Cool fully before slicing. About 1 hour total. Patience makes perfect slices!
Notes
- Use room-temperature eggs and butter. They blend better for smooth batter.
- Don't overmix after adding flour. Keeps cake tender, not tough.
- For chocolate version, add ½ cup cocoa powder to dry mix. Dust with powdered sugar.
- Make it almond: Swap vanilla for almond extract. Add sliced almonds on top.
- Gluten-free? Use 1:1 gluten-free flour blend. Tastes just as rich.
- Test doneness early. Ovens vary. Start checking at 28 minutes.