Irresistible Gluten-Free French Butter Cake Recipe

Golden, buttery, and impossibly light, this gluten-free French butter cake recipe delivers pure pastry magic straight from Paris to your kitchen.

Delicate crumbs melt on your tongue with each blissful bite.

Traditional French baking techniques meet modern dietary needs in this stunning dessert.

The cake rich, velvety texture belies its simple ingredients and straightforward preparation.

Smooth butter and carefully selected gluten-free flour create a dessert that rivals any classic patisserie creation.

Every slice promises a moment of pure culinary indulgence that will transport you to a charming Parisian café.

You’ll fall in love with this elegant, melt-in-your-mouth treat that proves gluten-free baking can be absolutely extraordinary.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 35-40 minutes

Total Time: 55-60 minutes

Calories: 303 kcal

Servings: 13

Gluten-Free French Butter Cake Ingredient Essentials

• Pillsbury Gluten-Free Yellow Cake Mix: Provides a perfect gluten-free base with convenient pre-mixed dry ingredients, ensuring a smooth and consistent foundation for the cake.
• Butter: Adds rich, golden flavor and helps create a tender, moist texture that melts in your mouth.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together, providing structure and helping the cake rise beautifully.

• Cream Cheese: Delivers a tangy, creamy element that creates a luxurious and silky cheesecake-like topping with incredible richness.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the top layer and helps achieve a smooth, velvety consistency that balances the cream cheese perfectly.
• Vanilla Extract: Introduces a warm, aromatic depth that enhances the overall flavor profile and adds a subtle, elegant sweetness.

Tools for Baking Gluten-Free French Butter Cake Easily

• Large mixing bowls: Essential for preparing both cake layers, ensuring smooth and even mixing.
• Electric mixer or whisk: Perfect for beating cream cheese mixture until smooth and creamy.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Provides the right size and shape for even baking and easy serving.
• Spatula: Helps spread cream cheese layer evenly across the bottom layer.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise measurements guarantee consistent cake texture and taste.
• Cooling rack (optional): Helps cake cool evenly after baking, though you can also cool in the baking dish.

How to Make a Gluten-Free French Butter Cake at Home

• Oven Preparation

Set the oven to a toasty 350°F and lightly coat a baking dish with a thin layer of grease. This creates the perfect warm environment for your delectable cake.

• Bottom Layer Foundation

In a spacious mixing bowl, blend gluten-free cake mix with melted butter and eggs. Work the mixture until it forms a smooth, cohesive dough. Press this golden base evenly across the baking dish, creating a solid foundation for your delightful dessert.

• Creamy Top Layer

Whip cream cheese, eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla together until the mixture transforms into a silky, luxurious cream. This dreamy layer will crown your cake with irresistible richness.

• Cake Assembly

Gently cascade the cream cheese mixture over the bottom layer. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, ensuring every slice will be a perfect balance of textures and flavors.

• Baking Magic

Slide the dish into the center of the oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the top sets with a gentle firmness. The surface should look smooth and slightly golden.

• Cooling and Serving

Allow the cake to cool completely in the baking dish. This resting period helps the layers meld together beautifully. Once cooled, slice into squares and serve.

• Storing Secrets

Tuck any remaining cake into the refrigerator. It will stay fresh and delicious for up to a week, ready to satisfy your sweet cravings at a moment’s notice.

Flavor Additions for Gluten-Free French Butter Cake

• Baking Brilliance: Smart Tricks for Perfect French Butter Cake
• Cream Cheese Consistency: Ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature for smooth, lump-free mixing. Cold cream cheese creates uneven texture and prevents seamless blending.
• Gluten-Free Mix Magic: Select high-quality gluten-free cake mix for best texture and flavor. Not all mixes perform equally, so experiment with brands known for superior baking results.
• Temperature Precision: Let ingredients reach room temperature before mixing to guarantee even incorporation and optimal cake structure. Cold eggs and butter can disrupt smooth batter development.
• Cooling Technique: Allow cake to cool entirely in baking dish to help layers set properly. Cutting too early might cause crumbly, messy squares that lack clean presentation.
• Storage Wisdom: Refrigerate cake in airtight container to maintain freshness. Layered desserts like this stay delicious up to one week when properly sealed and chilled.

Serve Gluten-Free French Butter Cake Like a Pro

• Sweet Brunch Companion: Pair this decadent gluten-free cake with a hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or a creamy cappuccino. The rich, buttery flavor complements the warm beverage perfectly, creating a delightful morning treat.
• Elegant Dessert Platter: Arrange cake squares on a beautiful serving plate, dusted lightly with powdered sugar. Garnish with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries to add a pop of color and a tangy contrast to the cake's creamy sweetness.
• Party Presentation Hack: Transform this cake into a stunning dessert bar by cutting it into smaller bite-sized pieces. Serve alongside whipped cream, chocolate drizzle, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream to create an interactive and indulgent dessert station that guests will love.
• Gifting Delights: Package individual cake squares in cute clear boxes with a ribbon, making them a wonderful homemade gift for friends, family, or as a special treat for gluten-sensitive loved ones who rarely get to enjoy delicious desserts.

Store Gluten-Free French Butter Cake to Keep It Soft

• Smart Slice Strategy: Cut cake into individual portions before refrigerating to make grabbing a quick dessert easier throughout the week. Wrap each square separately in plastic wrap for grab-and-go convenience.
• Freezing Fresh Delight: Wrap cake squares tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze up to 3 months for a surprise sweet treat anytime. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best texture and flavor.
• Temperature Harmony: Keep cake chilled between 35-40°F to maintain its creamy consistency and prevent bacterial growth. Use an airtight container to lock in moisture and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Quick Refresh Technique: If cake seems slightly dry after refrigeration, let it sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This helps restore the cake's original soft, creamy texture and enhances its rich butter flavor.

Decadent Gluten-Free French Butter Cake

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.7 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 55-60 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Delicate French butter cake delights with its rich, buttery essence and melt-in-mouth texture. Elegant dessert perfect for special occasions promises pure indulgence when shared with friends and family.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 eggs
• 1 box pillsbury gluten-free yellow cake mix
• ½ cup (113 grams/4 fl oz) butter, melted
• 1 block (8 oz/226 grams) cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups (454 grams/16 oz) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to create a non-stick surface for the dessert.
2. Develop Base Layer: Combine gluten-free yellow cake mix with melted butter and eggs, kneading into a uniform dough. Press the mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, creating a smooth foundation for the cream cheese topping.
3. Construct Cream Cheese Layer: Whip cream cheese, eggs, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into a velvety, lump-free cream. Carefully pour and spread the mixture over the base layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
4. Bake to Perfection: Center the baking dish in the oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. Look for a stabilized top layer that no longer jiggles, signaling the dessert has reached its ideal consistency.
5. Cool and Set: Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool completely within the baking dish. This resting period helps the layers solidify and facilitates clean, precise cutting.
6. Serve and Store: Slice into 12 elegant squares, revealing the delightful contrast between the buttery base and creamy topping. Refrigerate any leftovers, which will maintain their delectable texture for up to one week.

Notes

• Oven Precision: Set temperature exactly at 350°F for consistent baking results and even layer development.
• Base Layer Technique: Press cake mix dough firmly and evenly to create a solid, uniform foundation that prevents crumbling.
• Cream Cheese Mixing: Whisk ingredients until completely smooth, eliminating any potential cream cheese lumps for a silky texture.
• Cooling Strategy: Allow cake to rest at room temperature after baking, ensuring layers set properly and cutting becomes effortless.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: French

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 303
• Sugar: 37 g
• Sodium: 170 mg
• Fat: 16 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg