If you’ve been searching for a dessert that feels like a warm hug in cake form, look no further than the beloved Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe. This delightfully moist, buttery Bundt cake boasts a rich, tender crumb soaked in a luscious vanilla butter sauce that seeps into every nook and cranny. It’s a timeless Southern classic that’s as comforting as it is impressive, perfect for gatherings or simply treating yourself when you crave something extraordinary. Trust me, once you try this Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe, it will quickly become a cherished staple in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe lies in its simplicity and the way these essential ingredients come together to create an irresistible flavor and texture. Each element plays a vital role in producing that tender crumb, rich buttery flavor, and perfectly soaked finish that makes this cake truly exceptional.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides a rich, creamy base that contributes to the cake’s moist texture and buttery goodness.
- Sugar: Sweetens the cake perfectly and helps achieve a tender crumb when creamed with butter.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add richness to the batter.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation of the cake’s structure and texture.
- Salt: Enhances all the other flavors, making everything taste balanced and delicious.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Work together to ensure a light, fluffy rise.
- Buttermilk: Adds tangy moisture and reacts with the leavening agents for a tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Offers warmth and aromatic depth that complements the buttery sauce beautifully.
- Water: Helps in creating the luscious butter sauce that’s poured over the cake.
How to Make Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
Step 1: Get Ready
Start by preheating your oven to 325ºF and prepping a 10-inch Bundt pan with greasing and flouring. This ensures your cake releases easily and bakes evenly, giving you that beautiful shape and texture you’re aiming for.
Step 2: Cream and Combine
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy—this step is crucial for the cake’s airy texture. Then, add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to create a smooth, cohesive batter.
Step 3: Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients
Mix the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a separate bowl. To keep the cake light, add the flour mixture and buttermilk alternately to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the flour. This method helps maintain the perfect balance of moisture and structure. Finish by stirring in the vanilla extract, then pour the batter into your prepared pan with care.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Pop your cake into the oven and bake for about 60 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Watch for a golden brown color on top—that’s your signal for cake perfection.
Step 5: Make the Buttery Sauce
While the cake bakes, combine the remaining sugar, butter, vanilla, and water in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until everything is fully melted and combined, taking care not to boil the sauce. This thick, sweet glaze will soak into the cake, enhancing its famously rich flavor.
Step 6: Pour and Soak
Once the cake is out of the oven but still warm, use a skewer to poke lots of holes all over the top and sides—this step allows the butter sauce to seep deeply into the cake. Slowly pour the sauce over the cake, giving it time to absorb the buttery goodness. Let it cool completely in the pan before unmolding to keep your cake intact and perfectly moist.
How to Serve Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
Garnishes
While this cake holds its own beautifully, adding a dusting of powdered sugar or a handful of fresh berries on top brings a touch of freshness and visual appeal. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream can make serving even more special, adding creaminess to balance the cake’s rich sweetness.
Side Dishes
Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe pairs wonderfully with light, fresh accompaniments. Think a crisp mixed green salad with a citrus vinaigrette or a simple fruit platter. These lighter sides help balance the indulgence of the cake and make for a thoughtfully rounded dessert experience.
Creative Ways to Present
For a party or festive touch, slice the cake into individual portions and drizzle with extra melted butter sauce just before serving. Alternatively, serve it warm with a scoop of bourbon-infused whipped cream for a true Kentucky twist. You could also layer warm slices with fresh fruit and cream for an elegant trifle variation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Kentucky Butter Cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. To keep it fresh longer, you can wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to a week, though the texture is best when enjoyed sooner rather than later.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, this cake freezes beautifully. Wrap individual slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to three months. Thaw at room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.
Reheating
To bring back that just-baked warmth, reheat slices in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds or warm the whole cake in a low oven (about 300ºF) for 10 to 15 minutes. Enjoy it with an extra drizzle of butter sauce or a little ice cream for maximum indulgence.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
Though regular milk can be substituted in a pinch, buttermilk is key to achieving the rich tang and tender crumb characteristic of the Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe. If you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before using.
What if I don’t have a Bundt pan?
You can bake this cake in a 9×13-inch pan or two 9-inch round pans. Just adjust the baking time accordingly and keep an eye on it by checking with a toothpick for doneness.
Why do you poke holes in the cake?
Pricking holes allows the buttery vanilla sauce to seep deep inside the cake, infusing every bite with moisture and flavor. Without this step, the sauce would just sit on top, and you’d miss out on that signature, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I make this cake gluten-free?
While this recipe calls for all-purpose flour, you can experiment with a gluten-free baking blend that is a 1:1 substitute for regular flour. Just ensure it contains xanthan gum or another binding agent for best results.
How long will the cake stay fresh?
Because of its moist nature and buttery sauce, this cake stays delicious for several days when stored properly, usually up to about five days if refrigerated. It’s best enjoyed within that window for the perfect texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe that goes beyond just its ingredients; it’s the love and tradition baked into each bite. Whether you’re sharing with family, guests, or simply keeping it all to yourself, this cake never fails to impress with its rich flavor and tender texture. Give it a try—you might just find your new all-time favorite dessert.
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Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 60 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American Southern
Description
Kentucky Butter Cake is a rich, moist Southern Bundt cake known for its tender crumb and luscious buttery glaze poured over it after baking. This classic dessert blends the warm flavor of vanilla and buttermilk with a delightful buttery sauce that soaks into the cake, creating a sweet and decadent treat perfect for any gathering or celebration.
Ingredients
Cake
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
Butter Sauce
- ¾ cup white sugar
- 6 Tbsp butter
- 3 Tbsp water
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325ºF (163ºC). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps to incorporate air, lending the cake its tender texture. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to ensure an even distribution.
- Mix Dry Ingredients and Combine: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Add one third of this flour mixture to the batter and mix until blended. Then add half of the buttermilk and beat until combined. Repeat by adding another third of the flour mixture, blend well, then add remaining buttermilk, mixing fully. Finally, add the remaining flour mixture along with 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract, and mix until the batter is smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading evenly.
- Bake the Cake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 60 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This indicates the cake is fully baked with a moist interior and a golden crust.
- Prepare Butter Sauce: While the cake bakes, combine ¾ cup white sugar, 6 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons water, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract in a saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the sugar and butter melt and the ingredients are fully combined. Be careful not to bring the mixture to a boil to preserve the sauce’s smooth texture.
- Soak the Cake: Once the cake is out of the oven, use a wooden skewer or toothpick to prick numerous holes all over the top and sides of the cake while it’s still in the pan. Slowly pour the warm butter sauce over the cake, allowing it to seep into all the holes for maximum moisture and flavor infusion. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing and serving.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature before creaming for best texture.
- Use a wooden skewer to pierce the cake deeply so the butter sauce can fully soak into the cake layers.
- You can substitute buttermilk with milk mixed with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar as a quick alternative.
- If desired, dust the cooled cake with powdered sugar or garnish with fresh berries before serving.
- Store leftovers covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
