Decadent French Butter Cake — Golden, Soft & Sweet
A rich, dense, buttery French cake with a golden crust and a tender crumb — perfect for tea time or holiday dessert tables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 slices 1x
Ingredients
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1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted European-style butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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6 large egg yolks (reserve 1 yolk for egg wash)
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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½ tsp fine sea salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
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1 tsp milk or cream (for egg wash)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch round cake pan and line the bottom with parchment.
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Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
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Add 5 egg yolks one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla.
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Add flour and salt. Mix until a thick dough forms.
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Spread dough evenly in pan. Smooth the top.
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Whisk remaining yolk with milk. Brush over top and score a crosshatch pattern.
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Bake 35–40 minutes, or until deeply golden.
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Cool in pan 10 minutes, then transfer to a rack
Notes
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Store at room temperature for 3–4 days.
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Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 1 month.
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Serve with crème fraîche, berries, or jam.