Description
Ridiculously Easy French Butter Cake is a moist, tender, and deliciously rich cake inspired by traditional French grandmother recipes and the popular American Kentucky Butter Cake. This simple yet elegant dessert combines a luscious yogurt-based batter with a buttery, sugary topping that caramelizes beautifully during baking. Perfect for any occasion, this cake impresses with its amazing flavor and ease of preparation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Batter
- 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)
Butter Topping
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons butter (salted preferred)
- 1½ tablespoons water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Batter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the yogurt, 1 cup granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Whisk until smooth and well incorporated. In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. Slowly drizzle in the neutral flavored oil and gently fold to form a smooth batter without overmixing.
- Prepare the Butter Topping: In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter. Once melted, add the ⅓ cup granulated sugar, water, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Stir continuously until the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat.
- Assemble the Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Pour the batter into a greased 9-inch cake pan or springform pan, spreading evenly. Carefully pour the prepared butter topping evenly over the batter; it will slowly sink into the batter during baking, creating a moist, buttery glaze on top.
- Bake the Cake: Place the cake in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. During baking, the topping will caramelize, giving the cake its characteristic rich buttery crust.
- Cool and Serve: Remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes. Gently run a knife around the edges to loosen it, then transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely. Serve slices as is or with a dusting of powdered sugar or fresh fruit if desired.
Notes
- Although this French Butter Cake may have a fancy name, it’s simply a delicious blend of a classic French grandma’s cake and the famous Kentucky Butter Cake.
- The cake is ridiculously easy to make yet incredibly moist, tender, and flavorful.
- You can substitute plain yogurt with Greek yogurt for a thicker texture.
- Use neutral oils like canola or grapeseed to avoid overpowering the cake’s delicate flavors.
- For a richer taste, salted butter is recommended for the topping.
- Ensure not to overmix the batter to maintain tenderness.
- The butter topping caramelizes during baking, creating a moist, glaze-like finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 237 kcal
- Sugar: 23 g
- Sodium: 142 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 49 mg
