There’s something almost magical about a slice of Kentucky Butter Cake: rich, buttery, and impossibly moist, with a sweet vanilla butter sauce that seeps into every delicious crumb. This classic Southern dessert is a true crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings or whenever you want to wow your friends with something truly special. Whether you’re serving it up for a holiday or sneaking a late-night piece with a cup of tea, Kentucky Butter Cake always delivers an irresistible blend of comfort and nostalgia.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Kentucky Butter Cake lies in its simplicity—each ingredient plays a starring role in creating the cake’s signature tender texture and golden flavor. Here’s everything you’ll need, along with why it matters:
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): The foundation for that legendary buttery flavor and moist crumb.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the cake, helps with browning, and contributes to the soft texture.
- Large eggs (4): Bring structure and richness, making each bite satisfyingly dense but tender.
- Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons for sauce): Infuses the cake and sauce with warm, aromatic flavor—use real vanilla if you can!
- All-purpose flour (3 cups): Provides the cake with body and stability, ensuring a perfect slice every time.
- Baking powder (1 teaspoon) & baking soda (1/2 teaspoon): Just the right amount of lift for a soft, light crumb.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and intensifies the buttery notes.
- Buttermilk (1 cup): Adds tang and tenderness, making the cake extra moist.
- Butter Sauce: 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup unsalted butter, 3 tablespoons water, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract—this luscious sauce soaks into the cake, creating its signature flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to Make Kentucky Butter Cake
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and take a moment to thoroughly grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan. Don’t rush this step—getting every nook coated ensures your Kentucky Butter Cake will release beautifully and show off those classic bundt curves.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture turns pale, light, and fluffy. This step creates a wonderful airiness in the batter, giving your cake its classic tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
One at a time, beat in the eggs, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Once the eggs are in, stir in that generous tablespoon of vanilla extract for a hint of warmth and depth.
Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients Separately
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures everything distributes evenly into the batter, preventing any surprise pockets of baking soda or salt.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the flour mixture to your butter mixture in thirds, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and finish with the flour, and mix just until smooth—overmixing can make the cake tough, so go gently here.
Step 6: Bake to Golden Perfection
Pour the luscious batter into your prepared bundt pan and smooth out the top. Slide it into the oven and bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The kitchen will smell absolutely heavenly!
Step 7: Make the Butter Sauce
While the cake bakes, combine sugar, butter, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the sauce is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract—your kitchen will now smell twice as tempting.
Step 8: Soak and Cool
Once the cake is done, leave it in the pan and poke holes all over the top with a skewer or fork. Slowly pour the warm butter sauce over the hot cake, letting it seep into every crevice. Allow the cake to cool completely in the pan, so it can soak up every last drop of buttery goodness before you invert it onto a serving plate.
How to Serve Kentucky Butter Cake
Garnishes
A dusting of powdered sugar is classic, but don’t be afraid to get creative! Fresh berries, whipped cream, or even a drizzle of caramel sauce can turn your Kentucky Butter Cake into an extra-special occasion dessert. A sprig of mint or a few edible flowers add a lovely touch for parties.
Side Dishes
Pair your cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a bowl of lightly sugared strawberries for a truly decadent treat. If you’re serving it after a big meal, a strong cup of coffee or hot tea on the side balances the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, cut the cake into cubes and serve as part of a dessert trifle layered with whipped cream and fruit. Individual slices look stunning on pretty plates, especially topped with a little extra sauce or a dollop of whipped cream. Even served simply on a rustic platter, Kentucky Butter Cake always steals the show!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Kentucky Butter Cake tightly covered at room temperature for up to three days. The cake actually gets even better as it sits—the sauce continues to soak in, making each bite more moist and flavorful.
Freezing
This cake freezes beautifully! Wrap slices or the whole cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to two months. To serve, simply thaw at room temperature; the texture and flavor will be just as heavenly as freshly baked.
Reheating
If you like your Kentucky Butter Cake slightly warm, pop individual slices into the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This brings the sauce back to life and gives you that fresh-from-the-oven experience, perfect for pairing with ice cream.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can substitute salted butter if that’s what you have on hand. Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to avoid an overly salty cake—the flavor will still be rich and delicious!
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No buttermilk? No problem! You can make a quick substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar to a cup of milk, letting it sit for a few minutes until it thickens slightly. It works beautifully in Kentucky Butter Cake.
Can I make Kentucky Butter Cake in a regular cake pan?
While a bundt pan gives this cake its signature look, you can bake it in a 9×13-inch pan or as two loaf cakes. Just keep an eye on the baking time; it may be a bit shorter depending on the pan you use.
How do I keep the cake from sticking to the pan?
Really thorough greasing and flouring are key! Make sure every crevice of your bundt pan is coated, or use a baking spray with flour. Let the cake cool completely before removing to avoid any sticking disasters.
Can I add other flavors or mix-ins?
Absolutely! A touch of almond extract, a sprinkle of lemon zest, or even a handful of mini chocolate chips can add a fun twist. Just remember—the classic Kentucky Butter Cake flavor is hard to beat on its own.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve never tried baking a Kentucky Butter Cake before, now’s the perfect time to treat yourself to something truly special. With its unbeatable buttery crumb and melt-in-your-mouth sauce, this cake has a way of making any day a little sweeter. Give it a try and watch it become a new favorite in your home!
Print
Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 70 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Kentucky Butter Cake is a classic Southern dessert known for its moist, tender crumb and rich buttery flavor. This old-fashioned bundt cake is generously soaked with a warm, sweet butter sauce that seeps into every bite, making it irresistibly delicious. Perfect for gatherings, holidays, or anytime you crave a comforting, homemade treat.
Ingredients
Cake Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup buttermilk
Butter Sauce Ingredients
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan and Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch bundt pan thoroughly to ensure the cake releases easily after baking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which will help create a tender cake texture.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents.
- Mix Batter: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix gently until just combined to avoid overmixing which can toughen the cake.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare Butter Sauce: While the cake is baking, combine sugar, butter, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
- Poke and Pour Sauce: Once the cake is done, remove it from the oven and poke holes all over the top with a skewer or fork. Slowly pour the warm butter sauce over the hot cake while it is still in the pan to allow the sauce to soak in.
- Cool and Serve: Let the cake cool completely in the pan to fully absorb the sauce before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve as is or with whipped cream and fresh berries if desired.
Notes
- This cake tastes even better the next day as the butter sauce fully soaks in.
- The cake freezes well and stays moist for several days.
- Serve with whipped cream or fresh berries for added flavor and presentation.
- Make sure not to overmix the batter to keep the texture tender.
- Using a bundt pan creates the classic shape and allows even baking.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 460
- Sugar: 39g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 23g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 59g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
