Go Back
Breton Butter Cake Recipe

Breton Butter Cake Recipe

Lipia
Breton Butter Cake (Gâteau Breton) is a classic French dessert from Brittany, known for its rich, buttery flavor and dense, cake-like texture. Made with simple ingredients like butter, sugar, and eggs, it’s a perfect treat for any occasion. This cake offers a deliciously indulgent experience with every bite.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine French
Servings 8 servings
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Electric mixer (optional)
  • Spatula
  • Rolling Pin
  • 9-inch round cake pan
  • Parchment paper

Ingredients
  

  • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup cake flour not self-rising
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 4 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

Prep Work is Key

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line the bottom of your cake pan with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this dry mix aside.

Creaming the Butter and Sugar

  • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer, or a good 5-7 minutes by hand (great arm workout!).

Introducing the Eggs

  • Beat in the egg yolks one at a time, making sure each yolk is fully incorporated before adding the next. Once all the yolks are in, stir in the vanilla extract.

Bringing it Together

  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Don’t overmix – a few streaks of flour are perfectly fine.

Shaping and Baking

  • Lightly flour a clean surface and roll out the dough into a circle about ½ inch thick. Gently transfer the dough to your prepared cake pan and press it down to evenly distribute it.
  • Use a fork to prick the top of the dough a few times. Bake the cake for 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

A Touch of Sweetness (Optional)

  • While the cake cools, you can whip up a simple glaze by mixing together 1 tablespoon of powdered sugar with a splash of milk or lemon juice. Drizzle this over the cooled cake for a touch of extra sweetness.
Keyword Breton Butter Cake Recipe