Kentucky Butter Cake is a classic Southern dessert that’s rich, buttery, and incredibly delicious. This cake is soaked in a sweet butter sauce after baking, giving it a wonderfully moist texture and a rich, buttery flavor. It’s the perfect treat for any occasion, from family gatherings to special celebrations.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
For the butter sauce:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
How to make Kentucky Butter Cake:
- Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C) and grease a 10-cup Bundt pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined.
- Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- While the cake is baking, make the butter sauce. In a small saucepan, combine the butter, sugar, and water. Cook over medium heat until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- When the cake is done, remove it from the oven and place it on a wire rack. While it’s still warm, poke holes all over the top of the cake with a skewer or fork.
- Slowly pour the butter sauce over the cake, allowing it to soak into the holes. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before removing it.
- Once the cake is cool, invert it onto a serving plate. Slice and serve, and enjoy the rich, buttery goodness of Kentucky Butter Cake!
About the main ingredients:
- Flour: The flour provides structure to the cake. All-purpose flour is used in this recipe for its versatility and balanced protein content.
- Butter: Butter is the star of this cake, giving it its rich, buttery flavor and moist texture. Unsalted butter is used so you can control the salt content of the cake.
- Sugar: Sugar sweetens the cake and helps to create a tender crumb. Granulated sugar is used in both the cake and the butter sauce.
- Eggs: Eggs provide structure and stability to the cake, helping it to rise and hold its shape.
- Buttermilk: Buttermilk adds moisture and a subtle tangy flavor to the cake, contributing to its tender texture.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents help the cake to rise and become light and fluffy.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the cake, adding a warm, aromatic note.
This Kentucky Butter Cake is sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire. Its rich, buttery flavor and moist texture make it a standout dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
