French Dessert Recipes | simple, elegant butter cake
A traditional French cake with a rich, buttery crumb and golden crust — simple to make, elegant to serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings 1x
Ingredients
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1 cup (226g) unsalted European-style butter, softened
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3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
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4 large egg yolks (or 2 whole eggs + 2 yolks)
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1 1/2 cups (190g) all-purpose flour
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1/2 tsp fine sea salt
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1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
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1 egg yolk (for brushing top)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Butter and flour a 9-inch round pan.
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Cream butter and sugar until pale and fluffy.
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Add egg yolks one at a time, mixing well. Stir in vanilla.
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Sift in flour and salt. Fold gently until just combined.
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Spread batter evenly in pan. Score top with a fork in a crisscross pattern.
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Brush with egg yolk and bake 35–45 minutes until golden and firm.
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Cool 10 minutes in pan, then cool completely on rack. Serve at room temperature.
Notes
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Store at room temp up to 4 days.
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Flavors improve after resting overnight.
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Add citrus zest or a layer of jam for variation.