How French Butter Elevates Baking

Jan 28 2026

French cuisine has always prided itself on using the very best ingredients, and while you might consider that to include meat and vegetables and maybe cheeses, not many people appreciate the importance of dairy products such as butter. French butter has unique qualities which can help to elevate a dish to the exceptional stage, which is why professional kitchens and chefs specialising in French food insist on using French butter, and product they can trace the origin of and ensure the quality of.

What makes French butter unique?

There tends to be a higher butterfat content in French butter, 82% rather than the standard 80% used across the industry. This gives the butter a richer flavour but also gives it a softer texture. This provides a critical advantage when producing delicate dishes such as pastries, cookies and cakes. This softer texture results in products that are more skilled and refined and have a subtle consistency that is much more enjoyable, such as a more tender crumb or more flaky layers, which can’t always be achieved with other butters.

How French butter elevates baking

Fat content – The higher fat content in French butter also means less water content. This is what makes French butter more satisfying in terms of texture in the mouth, as it prevents sogginess and makes every bite enjoyable. A lower water content also means the butter is more pliable when cold, this makes it easier to work with when making a crust, for example.
Flavours – French butters tend to use lactic bacteria which gives them a tangier and more complex taste, and a slightly richer aroma too.
Pastries – The higher fat content makes French butter more pliable to use, but also more stable. These give it more stability to withstand folding and also mean it doesn’t melt too quickly. This combination makes it ideal for the lamination needed in croissants and puff pastry.
Seasonal qualities – Some French butters vary according to the season in which they were made, in terms of taste and texture. This means that winter butters which are firmer will be better for laminating doughs, for example, while spring and summer butter is softer and richer and may be better for cakes. It means a chef can optimise their butter to further elevate certain dishes according to the time of year.

Great quality French butters

Quality and precision are important when considering ingredients for French cooking and baking, and butter comes into that category. You need to have reliable ingredients which combine consistency with exceptional flavour and can give you solid foundations on which to add skill and creativity. At Sodiaal UK, our range of butters does just that.

Douceur de France Plaquette Unsalted Butter 250g – Made using UHT cow’s milk, this award-winning unsalted butter has great consistency and taste. Its smooth texture at room temperature means it spreads well, while its slightly acidic taste means it is suitable for both sweet and savoury cooking.

Douceur de France Plaquette Salted Butter 250g – More than just a salted alternative, this is a premium quality ingredient with a smooth and soft consistency. This butter is ideal for pastries, pies, biscuits, cakes and sauces.

Puff Pastry Butter 82% Fat – A specialist butter for puff pastry with high plasticity and a firmness which ensures an effective layering process. A robust butter which is not affected by seasonal variations.

Butter Mini Portions 10g & 8g – Individually wrapped to enhance freshness, reduce waste and maintain spread ability, these Candia butter portions deliver an authentic dairy taste which can be paired with jam, on toast or brioche, or also used in savoury dishes.

Brittany Butter Block 10kg – Another 82% fat butter but this time in a 10kgs block. Perfect for big kitchens with big demands, this butter is made in the green pastures of Brittany using longstanding traditions, and is ideal for both sweet and savoury dishes.

Best quality French butter from Sodiaal

French butter from Sodiaal allows you to experiment with confidence and have the freedom to be creative, while also having the knowledge that you are working with consistently excellent ingredients. So make sure you have reliable French butter in your kitchen and order from Sodiaal today.