Go Back
+ servings
Print
Horizontal overhead photo of a Ridiculously Easy French Butter Cake on a pink pedestal cake stand.

Ridiculously Easy French Butter Cake

Although this French Butter Cake may have a fancy name, it's simply a delicious amalgamation of a super beloved cake made by French grandmothers and a popular American dessert called Kentucky Butter Cake. It's ridiculously easy to make as well as being moist, tender and ridiculously delicious!
Course Cake, Dessert
Cuisine American, French
Keyword Butter Cake, French Butter Cake
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 12
Calories 237 kcal
Author Chris Scheuer

Ingredients

For the cake:

  • ½ cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 large eggs
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon almond extract
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup neutral flavored oil ie canola, vegetable, sunflower, safflower, avocado or grapeseed

For the glaze:

  • cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter (I use salted)
  • tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

For the cake:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350˚F (175˚C). Spray a 8-inch round cake pan with baking spray, rub inside surface of pan with a paper towel to cover evenly with the spray. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper and spray parchment paper lightly. Set aside
  2. In a large bowl, combine the yogurt, sugar, eggs and the vanilla and almond extracts. Whisk until well blended.
  3. Add the baking powder and salt. Whisk to combine then add the flour and whisk again just until all of the flour is blended in.
  4. Add the oil and stir well. Don't worry, at first it will seem to separate but keep stirring till smooth.
  5. Pour the batter into prepared pan.
  6. Bake for 30-40 minutes, until the cake feels springy to the touch and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the center comes out clean. Be careful not to overbake.
  7. While the cake cools a bit, prepare the glaze.

For the glaze:

  1. Combine the sugar, butter, water and extracts in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until the butter is melted and the sugar has dissolved. Do not bring to a boil.
  2. Using a pastry brush, slowly brush the glaze all over the top of the cake, using about a quarter of the mixture.
  3. Flip the cake out onto a cooling rack that has been set on top of a sheet of parchment paper or foil. The bottom of the cake will now be the top.
  4. Brush the remaining glaze over the top and sides of the cake. Just keep going over the cake till the glaze is gone. Some of it will drip off but most of it will soak in. Allow cake to cool for at least 30 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired before serving.

Recipe Notes

See Café Tips above in the post for more detailed instructions and tips to ensure success.

If you prefer to use Metric measurements there is a button in each of our recipes, right above the word “Instructions”. Just click that button to toggle to grams, milliliters, etc. If you ever come across one of our recipes that doesn’t have the Metric conversion (some of the older recipes may not), feel free to leave a comment and I will add it.

Nutrition Facts
Ridiculously Easy French Butter Cake
Amount Per Serving
Calories 237 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 3g19%
Trans Fat 1g
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g
Monounsaturated Fat 7g
Cholesterol 49mg16%
Sodium 142mg6%
Potassium 103mg3%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 23g26%
Protein 3g6%
Vitamin A 147IU3%
Calcium 46mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.