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–+ servings
Slice of two layered french butter cake with flaky fudge frosting served in front of remaining cake.

French Butter Cake with Old Fashioned Fudge Frosting

French butter cake wrapped with an old fashioned fudge frosting is the perfect birthday cake. This recipe is straight from my great-grandma’s recipe box and is a timeless classic.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Servings: 16 Servings
Author: Carlee

Ingredients

Cake

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1½ cups all purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ½ cup milk

Frosting

  • 6 oz unsweetened chocolate
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 lb confectioners sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Enough half and half or cream to make spreadable a few Tablespoons
Makes: 9inch round

Instructions

Cake

  • Preheat oven to 375°F and prepare two 8-inch cake pans.
  • Beat 1 cup unsalted butter until smooth. Add 1 cup granulated sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy. 
  • Stir in the 2 large eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth.
  • Sift the ¼ teaspoon salt, 1½ cups all purpose flour, and 2 teaspoons baking powder together.
  • Stir half of the dry ingredients into butter mixture. Then stir in the ½ cup milk. Finish by incorporating the rest of the dry ingredients.
  • Pour into prepared pans and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top springs back when lightly touched with a finger. Cool for about 5 minutes in the pan, then turn onto wire racks and cool completely.

Frosting

  • Melt 6 oz unsweetened chocolate and ½ cup unsalted butter together in a double boiler until smooth.
  • Remove from heat and stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 lb confectioners sugar.
  • Add half and half or cream a bit at a time until creamy and spreadable.
  • Spread over cake while warm, it sets up as it cools.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Serving | Calories: 421kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 106mg | Potassium: 127mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 41g | Vitamin A: 574IU | Calcium: 60mg | Iron: 3mg
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