Name: French Butter Cake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: French-American
Ingredients: ½ cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt; 1 cup granulated sugar; 3 large eggs; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; ¼ teaspoon almond extract; 1½ cups all-purpose flour; 2 teaspoons baking powder; ½ teaspoon salt; ½ cup neutral flavored oil (canola, vegetable, sunflower, safflower, avocado, or grapeseed); ⅓ cup granulated sugar; 3 tablespoons butter (salted preferred); 1½ tablespoons water; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ⅛ teaspoon almond extract

If you’ve been hunting for a buttery, tender, and downright irresistible cake, let me introduce you to this French Butter Cake Recipe. I absolutely love how this cake comes together with simple ingredients and rewards you with that perfect balance of moist crumb and rich flavor. When I first tried this recipe, I couldn’t believe how easy it was to achieve bakery-level fame right in my own kitchen. Stick around—I’m going to walk you through all the tips and tricks so your cake turns out just as spectacular as mine (maybe even better)!

❤️

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Easy: You only need one bowl and simple ingredients—no need for fancy equipment or complicated steps.
Moist and Tender: Thanks to the yogurt and butter glaze, this cake stays soft and flavorful for days.
Versatile Flavor: The hints of vanilla and almond extracts give it a delicate, elegant touch without being overpowering.
Family Favorite: My family goes crazy for this cake at Sunday brunch and holiday gatherings—and yours will too.

A single slice of soft yellow sponge cake with a light, fluffy texture and small air holes fills the center of a white plate with gold trim. The cake has a thin top layer dusted with white powdered sugar and a slightly darker, golden-brown crust around the edges. Next to the cake slice on the plate is a bright pink carnation flower with ruffled petals. In the background, there is a white teapot with a gold handle and pink flowers inside, along with a stack of white plates with gold rims, placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - French Butter Cake, buttery tender cake, easy French cake recipe, moist butter cake, bakery-style cake

Ingredients You’ll Need

This French Butter Cake Recipe is all about simple pantry staples coming together to create something magical. I always recommend using good-quality yogurt and fresh vanilla extract because those details really shine through in the final cake.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl of creamy plain yogurt, a small white ceramic bowl of granulated sugar, three large whole brown eggs with clean shells, a small white ceramic bowl of golden neutral oil, a small white ceramic bowl of all-purpose flour, a small white ceramic bowl of baking powder, a small white ceramic bowl of fine salt, a few small cubes of golden salted butter, a small white ceramic bowl of clear water, a small white ceramic bowl of vanilla extract, a small white ceramic bowl of almond extract, all arranged with 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 m7354615311229779997 - French Butter Cake, buttery tender cake, easy French cake recipe, moist butter cake, bakery-style cake

Plain or Greek yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang that keeps the cake balanced and tender.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without overpowering, and a little extra goes into the butter glaze topping.
Eggs: Provide structure and richness—always use large eggs for best results.
Vanilla extract: Real vanilla is non-negotiable here; it gives warmth to the flavor.
Almond extract: Just a touch adds a subtle, nutty aroma that feels elegant.
All-purpose flour: The backbone of the cake, giving it the right crumb.
Baking powder: Essential for a light, airy rise.
Salt: Enhances all those flavors—you’ll want to make sure this is included!
Neutral oil: Keeps the cake moist without adding flavor that competes—canola or avocado oil work beautifully.
Butter: For that luscious glaze, I use salted butter, which adds just enough saltiness to balance the sweetness.
Water: A small amount incorporated in the glaze to create that perfect syrupy texture.

📝

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.

Variations

I love that this French Butter Cake Recipe is so flexible. Whether you want to jazz it up for a special occasion or keep it simple for everyday snacking, you can easily switch things up. Don’t hesitate to tweak it to suit your tastes.

Fruit Add-ins: I’ve tossed in fresh berries or sliced peaches before baking, which adds a juicy burst of flavor that pairs wonderfully with the buttery glaze.
Gluten-Free Version: I’ve experimented with 1:1 gluten-free baking flour and it works well—just don’t skip the extra leavening for lift!
Citrus Twist: Adding a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest brightens the cake and gives it a fresh profile perfect for spring.
Dairy-Free Option: You can swap the yogurt for coconut or almond yogurt and use a neutral oil instead of butter for the glaze; just expect a slight flavor shift.

How to Make French Butter Cake Recipe

Step 1: Combine Your Wet Ingredients with Love

Start by whisking together the yogurt, sugar, eggs, and both extracts in a large bowl. You’ll notice the batter getting smooth and creamy—this is where your cake’s tender texture begins. If you don’t have a whisk, a fork will also do; just be patient and mix until everything is well blended and no sugar granules remain.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately

In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting helps avoid lumps and ensures a light crumb, which is one of the secrets I learned to perfect this cake.

Step 3: Bring It All Together

Slowly fold the dry ingredients into the wet mix to avoid overworking the batter. Then, gently stir in the neutral oil until just combined. Overmixing here can make the cake dense, so be gentle—you want to stop as soon as the batter is smooth.

Step 4: Bake and Prepare the Butter Glaze

Pour the batter into a greased and floured cake pan, smoothing the top. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. While the cake bakes, melt the butter with sugar, water, and extracts on low heat to create that irresistible butter glaze. When the cake is out of the oven and still warm, poke holes all over the top and pour over the glaze — trust me, it soaks in beautifully and makes the cake amazingly moist.

👨‍🍳

Pro Tips for Making French Butter Cake Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: I learned this the hard way—cold eggs and yogurt make mixing tougher and a denser cake.
Don’t Skip Poking Holes: This trick lets the glaze soak in deep, turning a good cake into a “wow” cake.
Choose Neutral Oil Wisely: I prefer avocado oil for its mild flavor and health benefits, but any neutral oil you have will work.
Timing Is Everything: Pour the glaze immediately after the cake is out of the oven for the best absorption; waiting cools the cake and glaze too much.

How to Serve French Butter Cake Recipe

A round cake with a golden brown top dusted evenly with powdered sugar sits on a white plate. Two slices are taken out and placed partly overlapping inside the cake’s empty space, showing a soft, light yellow inside with a slightly shiny texture. Around the plate are clusters of light pink and white flowers and a set of gold forks on a white marbled surface. The photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7 - French Butter Cake, buttery tender cake, easy French cake recipe, moist butter cake, bakery-style cake

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple and sprinkle a little powdered sugar on top—sometimes a few edible flowers if it’s a special occasion. Fresh berries or thinly sliced almonds also add a lovely contrast in texture and flavor.

Side Dishes

This cake pairs so well with a cup of strong coffee or a lightly brewed tea. If you want to make it a brunch dessert, serve it alongside fresh fruit salad or yogurt parfaits for a nice balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I’ve dressed it up by layering with whipped cream and seasonal fruits right on top, turning it into a beautiful trifle-like cake. Another fun way is to serve individual slices with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream and a drizzle of warm caramel.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The butter glaze means it stays moist and delicious without refrigeration, but if your home is very warm, popping it in the fridge is a safe bet.

Freezing

This French Butter Cake freezes beautifully. I like to wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer bag. When you want a sweet treat, just thaw overnight in the fridge or at room temperature for a few hours.

Reheating

To freshen up leftovers, I gently warm slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds or until just warmed through—this revives the buttery notes and makes every bite feel freshly baked.

FAQs

Can I use flavored yogurt for this French Butter Cake Recipe?

While plain yogurt is best to keep the flavor balanced, using a mild-flavored yogurt like vanilla can work in a pinch. Just reduce or omit the vanilla extract to avoid overpowering the cake’s delicate flavor.
What’s the best pan to use for this cake?

I prefer an 8-inch or 9-inch round cake pan lightly greased and floured for easy release. You can also use a square pan if that’s what you have, adjusting the baking time slightly.
Can this cake be made dairy-free?

Absolutely! Swap the yogurt for a plant-based alternative like coconut or almond yogurt. Replace butter in the glaze with a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil—it’ll give a slightly different but still delicious result.
Why does the glaze need to be poured over warm cake?

Pouring the glaze over warm cake lets it seep deep into the crumb rather than just sitting on top. This keeps the cake moist and gives it that luscious, buttery sheen you’ll love.

Final Thoughts

This French Butter Cake Recipe has nestled itself into my regular baking rotation because it hits all the right notes: ease, flavor, and a touch of elegance. When I make it, everyone asks for seconds, and I love sharing it with friends over a cozy afternoon chat. I can’t wait for you to try it and see why it’s become such a homey favorite. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be your go-to for dessert emergencies and Sunday celebrations alike!