Description
A budget-friendly, moist, and tender French butter cake made with simple pantry staples. This recipe delivers bakery-quality flavor without the high cost, perfect for weekend brunches or unexpected guests.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 ½ cups (315g) All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup (226g) Unsalted Butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300g) Granulated Sugar
- 3 large Eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (120ml) Whole Milk
- 2 teaspoons Vanilla Extract
- 2 teaspoons Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×5 inch loaf pan with butter or non-stick spray, optionally lining the bottom with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting is recommended for a lighter texture.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand or stand mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Scrape down the sides of the bowl. Mix in the vanilla extract.
- Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed. Add the milk and mix until combined. Add the remaining dry ingredients and mix just until no streaks of flour remain.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
- Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing or dusting with powdered sugar.
Notes
Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best emulsion. Do not overmix the batter once flour is added to avoid a tough texture. If using a round pan, reduce baking time to 30-35 minutes. The cake can be frozen for up to 3 months if wrapped tightly.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 45-50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: French
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 30
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 18
- Saturated Fat: 11
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
Keywords: French butter cake, budget baking, homemade cake, easy dessert, brunch recipe, affordable baking, moist cake, loaf cake