5 from 48 votes
Quatre-Quarts
Quatre-Quarts is a classic French pound cake made with equal parts butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, resulting in a dense yet tender loaf. This version uses whipped egg whites to lighten the texture and achieve a delicate crumb. The absence of baking powder relies on the beaten egg whites for rise, producing a balanced flavor focused on buttery richness and subtle sweetness. The recipe calls for optional salt to enhance flavor and careful baking in a greased, floured loaf or round mold.
Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
30 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings:
6
people
Calories:
508 kcal
Course:
Dessert
Cuisine:
French
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter unsalted
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 egg at room temperature
- 1 cup flour
- salt optional, pinch
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350F. butter a 9x5 loaf mold or round mold and coat lightly with flour, or use a no-stick bakery spray.
- Soften the butter in a bowl until it becomes creamier. Add the sugar 2 to 3 times and whisk vigorously until a nice cream is created.
- Separate the egg yolk from the white. Add the egg yolks to the butter-sugar mixture. Incorporate the sifted flour.
- In another bowl beat at full speed the egg whites with a pinch of salt. Once soft peaks are formed and no more white liquid is in your bowl from the egg white, Incorporate the egg whites into the egg flour mixture.
- Pour the mixture into the mold and bake for 40 minutes in the middle of the oven.Verify that it is ready by inserting a knife in the middle.Remove from the oven and wait 5 minutes prior to removing from the mold.
Cup of Yum
Notes
- Check cake doneness after 30 minutes by inserting a knife; if it comes out clean, the cake is ready.
- Opening the oven door early may cause the cake to fall, so avoid this during baking.
- Allow the cake to rest 5 minutes in the mold before removing onto a cooling rack to cool evenly, preventing soggy bottoms.
- This recipe doesn't use baking powder; the rise comes from well-beaten egg whites.
Nutrition Information
Calories
508kcal
(25%)
Carbohydrates
49g
(16%)
Protein
5g
(10%)
Fat
33g
(51%)
Saturated Fat
20g
(100%)
Trans Fat
1g
(50%)
Cholesterol
163mg
(54%)
Sodium
36mg
(2%)
Potassium
62mg
(1%)
Fiber
1g
(4%)
Sugar
33g
(66%)
Vitamin A
1064IU
(21%)
Calcium
25mg
(3%)
Iron
1mg
(6%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 6 people
Amount Per Serving
Calories 508
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 508kcal | 25% |
| Carbohydrates | 49g | 16% |
| Protein | 5g | 10% |
| Fat | 33g | 51% |
| Saturated Fat | 20g | 100% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 163mg | 54% |
| Sodium | 36mg | 2% |
| Potassium | 62mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 33g | 66% |
| Vitamin A | 1064IU | 21% |
| Calcium | 25mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.