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Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe


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4.5 from 38 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Kentucky Butter Cake melts with rich, velvety goodness straight from Southern kitchens. Warm butter sauce cascades over a tender crumb, creating pure comfort that welcomes you to savor each luxurious bite.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Dry Ingredients:

  • 3 cups (375 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 cups (400 grams) granulated sugar
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup (240 milliliters) buttermilk

Butter Glaze Ingredients:

  • ½ cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
  • ¼ cup (50 grams) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (60 milliliters) water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Arrange the oven rack in the center position and heat to 325°F (163°C). Thoroughly coat a 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) bundt pan with butter and dust with flour, ensuring complete coverage.
  2. Sift together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium mixing bowl. Create a uniform dry ingredient mixture and set aside.
  3. Using an electric mixer, cream room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes pale, fluffy, and significantly increased in volume.
  4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter-sugar mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a smooth, uniform texture. Blend in pure vanilla extract.
  5. Gently fold the sifted dry ingredients into the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk. Mix until ingredients are just combined, avoiding overmixing to maintain cake’s delicate texture.
  6. Transfer batter into prepared bundt pan, using a silicone spatula to evenly distribute and smooth the surface.
  7. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, rotating pan halfway through cooking time. Test doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into the center; it should emerge clean with minimal crumbs.
  8. Simultaneously prepare butter glaze by combining unsalted butter, granulated sugar, water, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, stirring continuously.
  9. While cake remains warm, puncture multiple holes using a wooden skewer or fork. Slowly pour warm glaze over cake, allowing it to seep into created channels.
  10. Let cake rest in pan for 15 minutes, then carefully invert onto a wire cooling rack. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving this decadent Southern delicacy.

Notes

  • Moisture Magic: This cake’s unique butter glaze creates an incredibly moist, tender crumb that melts in your mouth with rich, buttery goodness.
  • Temperature Tip: Use room temperature ingredients to ensure smooth mixing and a perfectly even cake texture.
  • Make-Ahead Marvel: The cake stays wonderfully moist for 3-4 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
  • Bundt Pan Brilliance: A well-greased bundt pan ensures the cake releases smoothly and maintains its beautiful shape.
  • Glaze Game-Changer: Poking holes allows the butter glaze to penetrate deeply, infusing every bite with extra flavor and moisture.
  • Southern Comfort Serving: Enjoy this cake slightly warm or at room temperature, potentially topped with a dusting of powdered sugar or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 70 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 458 kcal
  • Sugar: 32 g
  • Sodium: 170 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 16 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 52 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 120 mg