Quatre-Quarts – French Pound Cake with Only 4 Ingredients 🇫🇷

1/ Soften the Butter: Slightly melt the butter in the microwave until it becomes soft, but not fully liquid. 2/ Separate the Eggs: Separate the egg whites and yolks into two different bowls. 3/ Whip the Egg Whites: Add a pinch of salt (not listed in ingredients) to the egg whites and whisk until stiff peaks form.

4/

Mix Egg Yolks with Sugar: Add the sugar and vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract) to the bowl with the egg yolks and whisk until well combined.

5/ Add the Butter: Pour in the softened butter and continue mixing.

6/

Incorporate the Flour: Gradually add the flour and mix until the batter is smooth.

7/

Fold in the Egg Whites: Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter in several additions. Your cake batter is now ready.

8/ Prepare the Cake Pan: Grease the cake pan with butter (not listed), dust it with a little flour, and pour in the batter. 9/

Bake the Cake: Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for about 40 minutes.

10/

Check for Doneness: Insert a knife or skewer into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, the cake is done. 11/ Cool and Wrap: Remove the cake from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 20 minutes. Then remove the cake, wrap it loosely in plastic wrap, and let it cool completely for a few hours before serving.

🌟Tips and Fun Notes🌟

⭐️ What Does “Quatre-Quarts” Mean?: “Quatre-Quarts” literally means “four quarters” in French. The name comes from the traditional method of using equal weights of the four main ingredients - eggs, sugar, butter, and flour. Each one makes up a quarter of the batter, creating a perfectly balanced, moist cake.

⭐️ Adjust the Amount Freely: Want to bake a smaller or larger cake? Just weigh your eggs and use the same weight for the sugar, butter, and flour. It’s a flexible, foolproof method.⚖️

⭐️ Get Creative with Flavors: This cake is a great base for variations. Try adding lemon zest, vanilla, rum, or your favorite fruit for a personal touch. 🫐

⭐️ Serve It Your Way: Delicious on its own, but also great with jam, chocolate sauce, whipped cream, or ice cream. A perfect match for your afternoon coffee or tea.☕️

⭐️ Can’t Wait? Enjoy It Warm!: Honestly, I often can’t resist and eat it while it’s still warm. And yes, it’s just as good straight from the oven! 😄