First thing I have to say is "What a lovely cake!"
Second thing is in response to some of Dorie's notes that state that this is the type of cake a French mother would whip up for her children to enjoy as an afternoon snack ... What?! Those sweet French kids are sure lucky if their mom makes this for their snack. Especially if she flavors it with Cognac. ;)
Truthfully, this cake can hardly get any easier to make if the list of ingredients is any indication: eggs, butter, flour, sugar. Vanilla flavoring, or cognac or brandy if you want, and a little baking powder for the rising. The name "Four Quarters" is such because in theory, there would be equal parts eggs, butter, sugar and flour.
The hard part could be ascribed to the eggs if beating egg whites isn't your thing, but I used the electric mixer for that and the copper bowl for whipping the egg yolks and sugar. 
I found that I needed to mix a little of the melted, cooled butter in before I got a good whip going because the egg yolks and sugar clumped up in the whisk. 
Folding the egg whites in can be delicate, but again, it's not terribly difficult. 
A little sprinkle of brown sugar on the top before baking ensured a beautiful crunchy crust. 
Dorie warned that it would be dry according to our standards, but the inside was fabulously soft and moist, unlike most homemade French cakes I ate while living there which were most often burnt on the outside and dry on in the in. 
After a few bites, Ken said, "I think that's my new favorite cake." I must agree that it is supremely delicious even without any sauce, fruit, or ice cream. Perfect for an afternoon snack as well as a special dessert.
Dorie's description was excellent: "a cake with a lovely crumb, a light spring, the comforting flavor of basic ingredients, and a look so sweet and plain that you'd think the cake had the word home etched into its slightly domed top."
If you're new around here or are wondering what French Fridays with Dorie is ... It's an effort to use one of Dorie's recipes from her cookbook Around My French Table each week. The recipes are decided on by popular vote on the website French Fridays with Dorie. Purchase your book HERE and play along! According to the rules of the group, I'm not allowed to post the actual recipe ... mes regrets.)
