Irresistible French Butter Cake

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Have you ever bitten into something so buttery, so tender, that it melts in your mouth before you even finish chewing? That’s the magic of the Irresistible French Butter Cake, a golden, rich dessert with a delicate crumb and just the right touch of sweetness. It’s the kind of bake that feels both indulgent and familiar, perfect for quiet mornings with coffee or impressing guests at a brunch table.

This cake’s secret lies in its simplicity: just a handful of ingredients, executed with precision, and baked until the edges caramelize into a crunchy crust while the center stays luxuriously soft. It’s a bake that captures the essence of French pastry in the comfort of a glass dish. And the best part? You don’t need a pastry chef’s toolkit to make it happen.

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Preparation Phase & Tools to Use

Before diving into mixing bowls, it’s important to gather the right tools—because with the right setup, even the most delicate cakes turn out beautifully:

• 9×13-inch Glass Baking Dish: This size ensures an ideal bake for the butter cake, allowing it to cook evenly with those sought-after crispy edges.
• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Creaming the butter and sugar until light and fluffy is key. A mixer saves your arm and ensures perfect aeration.
• Rubber Spatula: Essential for scraping down the sides of your mixing bowl to ensure a consistent batter.
• Digital Kitchen Scale: Precision matters. Weighing your ingredients gives better results than scooping.
• Fine Mesh Sieve: For dusting that final snow-like layer of powdered sugar on top, giving your cake that bakery-finish charm.

Having these tools at hand turns what could be a finicky French recipe into an approachable and satisfying baking experience.

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Ingredients for the Irresistible French Butter Cake

Each ingredient in this cake plays a precise role in creating that signature buttery crumb and golden crust:

• Unsalted Butter: The star of the show. Use high-quality butter for rich flavor and a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps caramelize the edges to that perfect golden brown.
• All-Purpose Flour: The backbone of the cake. It gives structure while keeping the crumb light.
• Eggs: Bind the batter and give it richness. Room temperature eggs mix more smoothly into the batter.
• Milk: Adds moisture and smooths out the texture for a tender bite.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, sweet undertones.
• Baking Powder: Gives the cake a gentle lift so it stays fluffy without over-expanding.
• Powdered Sugar: A final dusting on top adds a hint of sweetness and an elegant finish.

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How To Make the Irresistible French Butter Cake

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy—this step is crucial for achieving a soft texture. It should take about 3-5 minutes.

Step 2: Add the Eggs and Vanilla

One at a time, mix in the eggs, allowing each to fully incorporate before adding the next. Then add the vanilla extract and beat for another minute.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. This helps evenly distribute the leavening agent through the batter.

Step 4: Mix and Add Milk

Slowly alternate adding the dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the batter.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Pour the batter into a greased 9×13-inch glass baking dish. Smooth the top and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 40-45 minutes, or until the edges are deeply golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 6: Dust and Cool

Once cooled, dust the top generously with powdered sugar. Let the cake cool in the pan before slicing into squares or rectangles.

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Serving and Storing the Irresistible French Butter Cake

This French Butter Cake is incredibly versatile when it comes to serving. Enjoy it warm with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, or let it cool and serve with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. For a more elegant presentation, pair with a drizzle of fruit compote or caramel sauce.

To store, cover the cake tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container. It keeps well at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy it longer, refrigerate it for up to 6 days, or freeze slices for up to 2 months. Simply thaw at room temperature and warm in the oven for that fresh-baked feel.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe or omit it entirely. Unsalted butter gives you better control over flavor.

What makes this cake different from pound cake?

The texture is lighter and fluffier than a traditional pound cake due to the use of baking powder and milk.

Can I add flavors like lemon or almond?

Absolutely! A teaspoon of lemon zest or almond extract can bring a lovely variation to the classic vanilla profile.

What’s the best way to reheat this cake?

Warm slices in a 300°F oven for about 5-7 minutes. Avoid the microwave to preserve its delicate crumb.

Can I bake this in a metal pan instead of glass?

You can, but glass gives a more even bake and enhances that caramelized edge. Adjust baking time slightly if switching to metal.

Is this cake suitable for layering or stacking?

Not really. It’s more of a rustic, tender cake best served as squares. It’s too delicate to support layers.

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Want More Classic Cake Ideas?

If you loved the elegance of this French Butter Cake, there are more classic dessert recipes on LadyPlate you might want to try.

The 2-Ingredient Pineapple Cake keeps things minimal and refreshing with tropical flair. For a rich and spiced option, the Moist Apple Crumble Coffee Cake brings layers of flavor and texture.

Looking for more indulgence? The Decadent Caramel Banana Pecan Cake is a showstopper loaded with Southern charm. Or try the Cinnamon Donut Bread, a soft, spiced loaf that doubles as breakfast or dessert.

For fruit-forward sweetness, the Apple Enchiladas are a comforting, cinnamon-laced bake wrapped in tortillas—unexpected and delightful.

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Pin and Tell Me How Yours Turned Out

You can save this buttery beauty to your cake or brunch boards for later. Just click the Pin button.

If you give it a try, let me know how it turned out! Did you add a twist with citrus zest or a flavored sugar topping? Drop a comment below or tag your photo. I’m always excited to see how your version turns out.

Want more daily baking inspiration? Follow my board on Pinterest here: LadyPlate on Pinterest

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