Name: French Butter Cake Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: French
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

Jump to Recipe· 4.7 from 12 reviews

You’re going to fall in love with this French Butter Cake Recipe — it’s elegantly simple yet incredibly delicious, with a buttery crumb that just melts in your mouth. If you’ve been searching for that perfect balance of moist, tender, and beautifully golden, this cake has your name on it. Stick around, and I’ll walk you through all my best tips to nail this fan-freaking-tastic treat every.single.time.

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Why This Recipe Works

Simple Ingredients: Classic pantry staples come together in harmony, making this recipe easy and approachable.
Perfect Butter Ratio: More butter than usual, melted just right, creates that signature moist crumb.
Sour Cream Inclusion: Adds tang and moisture, keeping the cake tender without weighing it down.
Easy-to-Follow Steps: It’s straightforward — no complicated techniques, just reliably good results.

French Butter Cake, French Butter Cake Recipe, how to make French Butter Cake, tender butter cake, classic French dessert - A close-up view of a rectangular black baking pan filled with a light yellow baked cake that has been scored into 12 square pieces. The cake has a crumbly, slightly cracked top layer with a sugar-like texture, revealing a soft, moist inner layer beneath. The edges of the cake are slightly browned, contrasting with the pale center. The pan is set against a white marbled background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This French Butter Cake Recipe uses ingredients that you likely already have but with a few little tricks — like melted butter and sour cream — that boost texture and flavor to new heights. Picking good-quality butter and cake flour will really elevate the final product.

French Butter Cake, French Butter Cake Recipe, how to make French Butter Cake, tender butter cake, classic French dessert - Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, a small white ceramic bowl with softened unsalted butter, three whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of pale vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of sifted cake flour, a small white ceramic bowl containing baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, a small white ceramic bowl of thick sour cream, and a small white ceramic bowl with granulated sugar for topping, all arranged in perfect symmetry and balanced proportions, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p awthu7i m7354615311229779997

Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a tender crumb when creamed with butter.
Unsalted Butter: Melted for easy mixing and an indulgently moist texture; bonus, you can control the salt.
Eggs: Room temperature eggs whip in smoothly, adding richness and structure.
Vanilla Extract: Pure vanilla gives a warm, aromatic depth that ties all the flavors together.
Cake Flour: Offers a lighter, softer crumb compared to all-purpose flour — essential for that delicate texture.
Baking Powder: The leavening agent that gives the cake a gentle lift without puffing it up too much.
Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors perfectly.
Sour Cream: Adds moisture, a slight tang, and richness that prevents the cake from drying out.
Extra Sugar for Topping: Sprinkled on top, it creates a slightly crunchy, sweet crust that contrasts beautifully with the soft interior.

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this French Butter Cake Recipe is how adaptable it is. I like to keep the base classic but you can absolutely jazz it up with your favorite additions or modifications depending on the season or your mood.

Variation: For a lemony twist, add a tablespoon of lemon zest and swap the vanilla for lemon extract — it brightens the cake beautifully.
Dairy-Free Option: Use vegan butter and a sour cream substitute like coconut yogurt to make it allergy-friendly, with a slight texture difference that’s still delicious.
Seasonal Twist: Fold in fresh or frozen berries gently right before baking for an added juicy surprise.

Step-by-Step: How I Make French Butter Cake Recipe

Step 1: Melt & Cream — The Base of Magic

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×9-inch baking dish — I like to use a little butter and a dusting of flour for easy cake release. Then melt your butter gently; I usually do this on the stovetop so it doesn’t get too hot. Pour the melted butter into your mixing bowl with the sugar and beat them together for about a minute until the mixture looks lighter and a bit airy. This little step helps give the cake a nice tender crumb, so don’t rush it!

Step 2: Eggs & Vanilla For Flavor & Texture

Next, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition so everything blends smoothly. At this point, add the vanilla extract — trust me, pure vanilla makes the biggest difference in this recipe’s warm flavor profile. Be patient here; the batter will start to look creamy and well combined, which is exactly what you want.

Step 3: Sift & Fold — The Flour Power

In a separate bowl, sift together cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting not only breaks up lumps but also aerates the mixture — that’s the secret for a light, fluffy cake. Slowly add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the cake dense, so fold carefully.

Step 4: Sour Cream & Sugar Topping

Finally, fold in the sour cream with a spatula until incorporated — no heavy mixing needed here. Pour the batter into your prepared baking dish, then sprinkle the remaining granulated sugar evenly on top. This sprinkle creates a little crunchy crust after baking that’s a lovely contrast to the soft cake inside.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake the cake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Don’t let it overbake — you want it moist but fully cooked. When it’s done, let it cool completely in the pan before slicing; this helps the cake hold its shape and finish setting up.

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Tips from My Kitchen

Temperature Matters: I always make sure my eggs are at room temperature so they whip in effortlessly and keep the batter smooth.
Don’t Skip Sifting: Sifting the dry ingredients made the texture of my cakes so much lighter — it’s a small step with a big payoff.
Gentle Folding: Overmixing flour can toughen the crumb; I fold carefully and stop as soon as everything’s combined.
Perfect Crust Trick: Sprinkling sugar on top gives an irresistible crunch I now always include — don’t skip it!

How to Serve French Butter Cake Recipe

French Butter Cake, French Butter Cake Recipe, how to make French Butter Cake, tender butter cake, classic French dessert - A single-layer light yellow cake is shown inside a dark baking pan with a white marbled texture surface underneath. The top layer has a rough crumbly texture with sugar crystals scattered on top, and it is cut into square pieces with one piece missing, revealing a soft, dense inside that is smooth and slightly moist. The cake edges are slightly browned and cracked, contrasting with the pale yellow center. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Garnishes

I love dusting this cake with just a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for a pretty finish, or serving it with fresh berries and a dollop of whipped cream. The rich buttery flavor pairs wonderfully with fruits that add a little tartness.

Side Dishes

This French Butter Cake Recipe goes perfectly with a cup of black coffee or a milky chai latte for breakfast or afternoon tea. For dessert, a small scoop of vanilla ice cream or crème fraîche on the side complements the buttery notes beautifully.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I like to cut the cake into petite squares, stack them with layers of berry jam or lemon curd between, and garnish with edible flowers for an elegant presentation. It never fails to impress guests without needing much fuss!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover French Butter Cake keeps nicely at room temperature, covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container for up to 2 days. I recommend keeping it away from direct sunlight to maintain moisture and flavor.

Freezing

When I have extra, I slice the cake into portions and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. It freezes beautifully for up to 2 months — just thaw overnight in the fridge before enjoying.

Reheating

To reheat, I pop the slices in a 325°F oven for about 5-7 minutes wrapped in foil to warm gently without drying out. You can also microwave for 20 seconds, but the oven method gives a better texture.

FAQs

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of cake flour in this French Butter Cake Recipe?

Yes, you can substitute all-purpose flour if cake flour isn’t available, but the texture might be slightly denser and less tender. To mimic cake flour’s softness, try removing 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour per cup and replacing it with 2 tablespoons of cornstarch before sifting.
Is it okay to use salted butter in this recipe?

While unsalted butter is best for controlling salt levels, you can use salted butter if that’s what you have. Just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to balance flavors appropriately.
Why does this French Butter Cake Recipe call for melted butter instead of softened?

Melted butter helps create a moist, dense crumb and combines easily with sugar for a luscious batter. Using softened butter instead can produce a fluffier cake, but not with the same signature texture that makes this recipe stand out.
Can I substitute sour cream with yogurt?

Yep! Plain Greek yogurt is a great substitute for sour cream, offering similar moisture and tanginess. Just make sure it’s full-fat for the best texture and flavor results.

Final Thoughts

I honestly can’t recommend this French Butter Cake Recipe enough— it feels like an old friend in my kitchen that’s always there to impress with minimal fuss. It’s one of those recipes you’ll want to bake again and again because it’s just that reliably good. So grab your ingredients, preheat the oven, and treat yourself (and anyone lucky enough to get a slice) to this truly wonderful cake. Trust me, you’ll love the journey as much as the delicious destination.