Boterkoek aka Dutch Butter Cake
A rich buttery cake that is simple to prepare with only 5 ingredients.
I’m all about buttery desserts. I prefer a buttery sugary treat over a chocolaty one. When I first heard about Dutch Butter Cakes, I knew I had to try one. My sister actually sent me a link to one saying, “thought you might like these”, she knows me too well! I told her I already had it on my “to make” list. I finally got around to trying a recipe for one. It seems like there are a couple different variations out there. Some call for just butter, flour, sugar, & vanilla but that sounded more like a shortbread recipe to me. I thought I’d stick with a more tradition recipe that called for eggs. It doesn’t have an baking soda or baking powder in it so the cake comes out thin, dense, & a little chewy. It is almost like a butter brownie (if there is such a thing?).
Makes an 8×8 square pan.
- ½ cup (1 stick) salted butter, softened
- ¾ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Mix softened butter & sugar together in a mixing bowl. Add vanilla & egg, mix. Add flour & mix until completely incorporated.
- Pour into a 8x8" square baking pan. Use a rubber spatula to smooth out the batter.
- Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are turning golden brown or until cake springs back when lightly touched.
- Allow to cool for 30 minutes before cutting.
I have never tried a butter cake Katie, but looks like I’ve been missing something delicious! And only 5 ingredients? Count me in! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Mary Ann! This recipe is really easy to whip together.
Did I do something wrong? I followed the recipe but it wasnt a batter to pour it was just a big ball of thick dough and when pressed and baked (and I waited 30 mins to cut and try) it was basically a medium-hardness sugar cookie. It wasn’t really buttery or soft like a brownie.
Hi Galen, No the batter is very thick for this recipe, I have to use a rubber spatula to flatten it out in the pan. Also the cake is supposed to be very dense & a little chewy.
This is totally my type of baking — just 5 ingredients!! I bet it’s amazing, too…simple is usually BEST! My boys would love this butter treat — very mild and delicious ingredients that are perfect for little kids (and adults)!
I love this recipe because it is simple & it’s really easy to whip together.
Katie, you make the best buttery desserts! I’m serious, just looking at these pics makes me drool. ;) :) Pinning this!
Thanks Demeter! :)
Now this is my kind of cake! I love how buttery and rich this looks, Katie! And the fact that this is so easy to make is just calling my name. Yum!
Hi Gayle. This cake really is as buttery & rich as it looks :)
I’ve never heard of a dutch butter cake, but totally loving it! Like a butter brownie? Yes, please! Love how easy it is to make. Completely delish!
Dutch Butter Cake was new to me too but I am so glad I found out about it. I love buttery desserts. :)
I want a butter brownie!!
:)
Hi. Should I grease the pan? Thanks
Hi, I do not grease the pan when I make it but you could if you wanted to. Thanks.
I love how little ingredients are in this cake! This needs to be put into my to-do list :)
I love simple recipe too!
I prefer sugary treats over chocolate ones, too! My mom just doesn’t understand! Anyway – I may just eat the whole pan of these ;)
My mom totally doesn’t understand either, she is a big chocolate lover. :)
I need this ASAP. Sooo buttery and gooey!!!
It’s really buttery & rich. :)
This reminds me of a cake we used to get in St. Louis when I was a kid. We called it Gooey Butter Cake and got it from Kroger’s. If this is anything like Gooey Butter cake, it has to be wonderful!
I’ve never had the one from Kroger’s so I can’t say if it compares but it’s definitely rich in buttery flavor. :)
thanks for this wonderful recipe! I love simple recipes!! Congratulations for this wonderful blog :)
Thanks Priscila!
I just made this for a bunch of teenage boys, and after they finished them they offered to go out and buy more ingredients for me so that I could make them again ;)
I guess they approved of your baking then. ;) Thanks for commenting! Glad to hear they liked them.
can you double the recipe and get the same result?
If you want to double the recipe and bake it in a 9×13″ pan I think it should turn out just fine, it may need to bake a little longer though.
You had me at like a butter brownie!! YUM!
Can’t wait to try this recipe…can they be frozen for a few days???
Hi Mary, I think they should freeze just fine for a few days.
Just made it last night when I had the need for something sweet- super delicious and easy! I need to memorize the recipe just in case I need to whip something up for a get-together. I imagine this would be great with a dollop of homemade whipped cream and some berries.
Hi Chelsea, I’m glad you liked the recipe! Love the idea of serving it with whipped cream & berries! Yum!
I was looking out for a quick desert recipe and the first one that showed was this…I had to try it more so because of the easy ingredients and i am so happy I did :) thank you so much :))
Hi Sherin! I’m glad you liked the recipe. Quick & easy recipes are my favorite! :) Thanks for commenting!
If I double it, should I use a 9×13 pan?
Yes, if you double the recipe you should bake it in a 9×13″ pan. It also might need a few more minutes to bake in the oven.
My husband’s family is dutch and I make this frequently however our recipe is double the quantities and has the addition of almond flavouring (as well as the vanilla in equal quantities) and sprinkle sliced almonds on top. It is still baked in an 8×8 pan and then cut into small squares (36). What’s not to like!
I will have to try doubling the recipe & making it a thick cake, thanks for sharing Sylvia!
I’m a bit of a coffee connoisseur— and I feel like this cake would be the perfect pairing. <3 Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Kristina, I think this would go great with coffee or tea time. :)
Isn’t this a blondie?
Hi, No it is different from a blondie, a blondie recipe would contain baking powder, brown sugar, and chocolate chips.
I can see this with a spoonful of lemon curd on top and a dollop of whip cream on top of the curd!
I’ve made this cake so many times and love it. You can add a bit of nuts and/or icing. Make this it does not disappoint!
Valerie, So glad you liked the recipe. Thanks for taking the time to comment, we appreciate it.