Description
Kentucky Butter Cake is a rich, dense pound-style cake soaked in a warm buttery vanilla sauce that infuses every bite with moisture and flavor. With its golden crust and tender crumb, this classic Southern dessert is pure homemade comfort.
Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g)
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature (240 ml)
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar (for sauce)
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter (75 g) (for sauce)
- 3 tablespoons water (for sauce)
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for sauce)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan thoroughly.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar for 3–5 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract.
- Alternate adding dry ingredients and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 55–65 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Meanwhile, prepare the sauce by heating sugar, butter, and water in a saucepan over medium heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
- While cake is still hot in the pan, poke holes all over with a skewer or fork.
- Slowly pour warm butter sauce evenly over the cake and allow it to cool completely in the pan.
- Once cooled, invert cake onto a serving plate.
Notes
- Pour the butter sauce over the cake while hot for best absorption.
- Grease and flour the Bundt pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- The cake tastes even better the next day after the sauce settles.
- Store tightly covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Do not overmix the batter to maintain a tender crumb.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 65 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (based on 14 slices)
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 38 g
- Sodium: 220 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 15 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 60 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 6 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
