Name: Easy 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’re craving a cake that’s incredibly moist, buttery, and so easy to whip up that you’ll want to make it again and again, you’re in for a treat with this Easy French Butter Cake Recipe. Honestly, it’s one of those desserts that tastes like it came from a bakery, but you’ll be stunned at how little effort it takes. Perfect for when you want to impress without the hassle, stick around—I’m going to walk you through every step for a fail-proof batch!

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Ridiculously Easy: This cake is so simple to make, I promise you’ll feel like a pro even if you rarely bake.
Buttery & Moist: With plenty of butter and a touch of yogurt, it turns out tender and melt-in-your-mouth delicious every time.
Classic Yet Unique: A lovely twist that blends French elegance with American comfort—your family and friends will go crazy for it.
Perfect for All Occasions: Whether it’s a casual afternoon treat or a special gathering, you’ll find this cake fits the bill effortlessly.

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, easy French butter cake, moist buttery cake, simple French cake, classic French dessert

Ingredients You’ll Need

Each ingredient plays its part perfectly to create a cake that’s rich but never heavy, with subtle vanilla and almond notes that you’ll come to adore. I recommend using plain or Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and balance.

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, easy French butter cake, moist buttery cake, simple French cake, classic French dessert

Plain or Greek Yogurt: Adds moisture and a slight tang, helping keep the cake tender.
Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and aids in creating that beautiful cake crumb.
Large Eggs: Essential for structure and richness.
Vanilla Extract: Gives the cake that warm, inviting aroma we all love.
Almond Extract: Just a hint adds a lovely depth and a subtle nutty sweetness.
All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds everything together.
Baking Powder: Helps the cake rise beautifully and become fluffy.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
Neutral Flavored Oil: Keeps the cake moist without overpowering the flavors — sunflower or grapeseed oil work wonderfully.
Butter (salted preferred): For that signature buttery glaze that makes this cake special.
Water: Combined with butter and sugar to create a silky glaze.

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 how forgiving this Easy French Butter Cake Recipe is when it comes to tweaks—adding your favorite flavors or adjusting for dietary needs is a breeze. It’s a great base to play around with.

Make it Citrus: I’ve added lemon zest before, and it brightens up the cake wonderfully without changing the texture.
Dairy-Free Option: Try swapping yogurt for coconut yogurt and butter for a dairy-free margarine; the cake still stays super moist!
Nutty Upgrade: Mix in some toasted almonds or pecans for crunch—my family loved the extra texture.
Seasonal Fruits: Folding in fresh berries or stone fruit slices before baking gives a lovely surprise and burst of flavor.

How to Make Easy French Butter Cake Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Pan

Start by gathering everything to ensure a smooth baking session. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease an 8-inch round or square cake pan. Lining the bottom with parchment paper helps with easy removal later, which I always recommend—trust me, it makes life easier!

Step 2: Mix Wet Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the yogurt, granulated sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth and slightly fluffy. This mixture is the jam—get it light, and it helps make the cake tender and airy. I sometimes use a hand mixer here for speed, but whisking by hand works just fine.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Sifting really helps to keep the cake light, though if you don’t have a sifter, just mix well with a fork or whisk.

Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, taking care not to overmix—you want to combine everything until just smooth. Then slowly pour in the oil and fold that in as well. The batter should be thick but pourable.

Step 5: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and smooth out the top with a spatula. Bake for about 40 minutes, or until the top turns golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Oven temperatures vary, so I check mine starting at 35 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Step 6: Make the Butter Glaze

While the cake is baking, melt the butter with sugar, water, vanilla extract, and almond extract in a small saucepan over low heat. Stir gently until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. This glaze is what transforms the cake into its luscious, buttery self.

Step 7: Apply the Glaze and Cool

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke a few holes across the surface using a skewer or toothpick, then pour over the warm butter glaze slowly. Let the cake absorb the glaze for about 15 minutes before removing from the pan. Patience here rewarding—this step is key for that incredible moist texture!

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Pro Tips for Making Easy French Butter Cake Recipe

Use Room Temperature Ingredients: This helps them combine more smoothly and avoids curdling in the batter.
Don’t Overmix the Batter: Overworking can make the cake dense, so mix just until the flour disappears.
Watch Your Oven: Ovens vary—you can start checking the cake’s doneness 5 minutes before the time to avoid drying it out.
Apply Glaze While Cake is Hot: Pouring the butter glaze immediately lets it seep in deeply, giving you that signature moist finish.

How to Serve Easy 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, easy French butter cake, moist buttery cake, simple French cake, classic French dessert

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few fresh berries on top. Sometimes, a dollop of whipped cream or a spoonful of crème fraîche adds a lovely creaminess that complements the buttery cake perfectly.

Side Dishes

This cake is wonderful alongside casual cups of coffee or tea. For a more decadent treat, I like pairing it with a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a drizzle of warm fruit compote—your guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve served this cake dusted with edible flowers and sprinkled with toasted nuts. Cut into small squares and arranged on a pretty platter, it makes a charming dessert for brunch or tea parties.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I like to keep leftover cake in an airtight container at room temperature—it stays wonderfully moist for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, you might prefer to refrigerate it to keep the butter glaze firm.

Freezing

Freezing works well too! Just wrap the cooled cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Thaw it overnight in the fridge, and it tastes almost as fresh as the day you baked it.

Reheating

To revive leftovers, gently warm slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds or in a low oven (around 275°F) for 5–7 minutes. This brings back the buttered goodness without drying out the cake.

FAQs

Can I use any type of yogurt in this Easy French Butter Cake Recipe?

Yes, you can use plain or Greek yogurt. I prefer Greek yogurt for a thicker texture and richer taste, but plain yogurt works just fine and helps keep the cake tender and moist.
What’s the best pan to bake this French Butter Cake in?

An 8-inch round or square cake pan works best. Make sure to grease it well and line the bottom with parchment paper so the cake releases easily and stays intact.
How important is the butter glaze in this recipe?

It’s absolutely key! The buttery glaze is what makes this cake stand apart—it seeps in for a moist, tender crumb and adds a smoky, rich flavor. Don’t skip it or wait too long to pour it over the hot cake.
Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Definitely! Bake it a day ahead and store it covered at room temperature or in the fridge. Just warm it slightly before serving to refresh the flavors and texture.

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love how this Easy French Butter Cake Recipe brings together buttery richness and simplicity in one gorgeous cake. It’s become my go-to when I want to bake something impressive without breaking a sweat. Give it a shot—you’ll be amazed how something so easy can taste so incredibly good, and I promise it’ll become a staple in your recipe rotation, just like it did in mine.