Butter Rice Cake – Beginner Friendly Cake Recipe
Let’s make the viral Butter Rice Cake! Soft, buttery, and slightly chewy with glutinous rice flour, milk, and butter. This nostalgic, easy recipe is beginner-friendly, packed with flavor, and brings back sweet childhood memories.
*P.s all of the picture doesn’t mean the cake burnt, but the cake has a slightly charred look and because of edited. You know, cripsy outside, soft fluffy inside😋
Butter Rice Cake is more than just a dessert; it’s a slice of nostalgia wrapped in buttery aroma and soft, chewy texture. Made with glutinous rice flour, milk, eggs, and butter, this simple yet elegant recipe transforms a handful of everyday ingredients into a golden cake that melts in your mouth. Perfect for afternoon tea, family gatherings, or those quiet moments when you crave comfort, this cake carries the warmth of childhood memories!
Some recipes that don’t just fill your stomach, they fill your heart, moreover for me, Butter Rice Cake is one of them. It’s soft, buttery, and just a little chewy, but what makes it special is the memory it carries. My mom never knew it had a fancy name; she just baked it when she wanted something sweet without too much work. The smell of butter and sugar from the oven always made our home feel warm and safe, and every bite now takes me right back to those simple childhood moments.
Butter Rice Cake and Little Memories
Butter Rice Cake is one of those things that just makes me slow down. I love having it with a cup of tea in the afternoon or even late at night when I want something sweet but simple. For me, it’s tied to childhood memories; those days when the whole house smelled of butter and sugar, and it instantly felt cozy.
I remember sitting by the fireplace, talking about my day, sometimes even ranting about a fight with a childhood friend, while dad tried to cheer me up. Mom would be in the kitchen, baking something easy with just a few ingredients, and my sister would be chatting about her school events. It wasn’t fancy, but it was warm and real, and of course I miss that. Funny thing is, my mom never even called it Butter Rice Cake. For her, it was just one of those quick bakes she made when she wanted something sweet without the fuss of cookies.
That’s why this cake feels so nostalgic to me. It’s simple, chewy, and buttery—nothing complicated, but it brings back those little moments that mean so much. Sometimes the plain recipes are the ones that stick with you the most.
Whether you’re a beginner baker or just craving a quick homemade treat, this viral simple butter cake recipe is your go-to. It’s moist, fluffy, and made with ingredients you probably already have in your pantry. Plus, it’s easy enough to make any day of the week!
Why You’ll Love This Butter Cake
- Beginner-friendly: No complicated techniques, no fancy equipment.
- Versatile: Perfect for tea time, birthday treats, or even as a snack to enjoy with coffee.
- Moist & buttery: Each bite melts in your mouth.
- Customizable: Add lemon zest, chocolate chips, or nuts for your own twist.
This simple butter cake proves that sometimes, the best desserts are the simplest ones. Soft, buttery, and easy to make, it’s the perfect cake for any occasion. Bake it for a cozy afternoon tea, a casual snack, or a sweet treat to brighten someone’s day.
Happy baking! 🍰
Equipment
- Shell-shaped Baking Tin; I use This tin is the key to giving madeleines their signature shell-like appearance with beautiful ridges on one side and a soft hump on the other. The design isn’t just about looks—it helps the batter bake evenly and creates that delicate texture we all love. If you don’t have a shell-shaped madeleine tin, don’t worry! You can use a mini muffin pan as an alternative. The flavor will stay the same, though the shape will be more like a small cupcake rather than the classic scalloped madeleine.
Ingredients of Butter Rice Cake
- Milk: Milk adds moisture and richness to the cake. It helps create a soft, tender crumb and enhances the buttery flavor. Using full-fat milk gives a slightly creamier texture, while low-fat milk works too, but may yield a lighter taste.
- Unsalted Butter: Butter is the star of this cake! It provides flavor, moisture, and tenderness. It also helps with the cake’s structure when creamed with sugar. Using unsalted butter allows you to control the saltiness in your recipe.
- Egg: Eggs act as a binder and a leavening agent. They help hold the cake together and give it structure while also making it light and airy. Room-temperature eggs mix better with butter and milk, ensuring an even texture.
- Sugar: for sweetness and also plays a role in creating a soft, tender texture. When creamed with butter, sugar helps incorporate air into the batter, making the cake lighter
- Vanilla Extract: adds aroma and depth of flavor. Even a small amount enhances the overall taste of the cake, balancing the richness of butter and milk.
- Salt: It balances the sweetness and brings out the buttery flavor, giving the cake a richer taste.
- Glutinous Rice Flour: Glutinous rice flour is what makes this cake chewy and soft, different from a regular butter cake. It gives a slightly sticky texture while keeping the cake tender, making it unique and satisfying to bite into.
How to Make Butter Rice Cake
To start, preheat your oven to 175°C (347°F). While the oven warms up, prepare your baking tin by lightly brushing it with butter to prevent the cake from sticking.
Next, pour the milk and unsalted butter into a small saucepan. Heat gently over medium heat until the butter melts completely. Set it aside to cool slightly while you move on to the next step.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt until just combined. Taking a gentle hand here ensures your cake stays tender and light.
Now, slowly pour the warm milk-butter mixture into the egg mixture, whisking continuously. This gradual mixing prevents the eggs from cooking and helps create a smooth batter.
Once the liquids are combined, gradually fold in the glutinous rice flour. Whisk until smooth, then sift the batter to ensure there are no lumps. This step gives the cake its signature soft, chewy texture.
With your batter ready, pour it into the prepared baking tin, filling it almost to the top. Bake for 32–35 minutes or until the cake is golden on top and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Finally, let the cake cool slightly in the pan before slicing. Serve warm or at room temperature, and enjoy the soft, buttery, slightly chewy delight of your homemade Butter Rice Cake!
Recipe Notes;
- Make sure butter and eggs are room temperature – this helps the batter mix smoothly and rise evenly.
- Once you add the flour, avoid overmixing to keep the cake light and fluffy instead of dense.
- Feel free to add lemon zest, chocolate chips, or chopped nuts for a fun twist.
- For make-ahead storage, store in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week to keep it fresh.
Try this recipe!
Don’t miss a recipe! Be sure to follow us on Instagram @Muchdesserts and our Tiktok! Sign up for my email list, too here! Anyway, you can also sign up and check Muchbutter for the mouthwatering food pictures and daily cooking recipes!
Thank you, your supports mean a lot!
recipes you’ll love to try:
Butter Rice Cake
Equipment
- Shell-shaped Baking Tin
Ingredients
- ¾ cup Milk
- ⅛ cup Unsalted Butter
- 1 Egg
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ½ tsp Vanilla Extract
- ¼ tsp Salt
- 1¼ cup Glutinous Rice Flour
Instructions
- Pre heat oven to 175℃ or 347℉.
- Heat milk and butter in a saucepan over medium heat until the butter is melted.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, sugar, vanilla extract and salt until just combined.
- Pour the milk mixture into the bowl and whisk again.
- Add glutinous rice flour and whisk again until smooth. Sift the batter to make sure that there is no lumps.
- Brush baking tin with butter then pour the batter into the baking tin until almost full then bake for 32-35 minutes.
- Remove from the baking pan and serve. Enjoy!
