Kentucky Butter Cake

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Kentucky has several famous dishes, from Kentucky Derby pie to their savory Henry Bain sauce. This moist Kentucky butter cake is one of my favorite Kentucky desserts. It’s easy to mix and bake, and the moist, buttery texture is absolutely sublime. I use some brown sugar in the cake for it’s caramel notes, but a traditional Kentucky butter cake may be made just as successfully with white granulated sugar. If you’re looking for a showstopping cake that doesn’t take a lot of artistic ability, this cake is for you!

What if my cake is stuck in the pan?

Some pans are better than others—it might help to read reviews when you purchase your pan. If you cake sticks, heat can help to release the cake. Soak a towel in very hot water. Invert the cake onto the cake plate and drape the hot towel over it. The heat should help loosen any fat or syrup that might be holding it in. I used a nonstick 9-inch (10-cup) fluted Wilton pan, which worked well—the cake rose to the top of the pan. Greased with Baker’s Joy, my cake released easily.

Ingredient Notes

• All-purpose flour – Forms the structure of this classic Bundt cake.
• Granulated + brown sugar – The combination adds depth and a caramelized flavor.
• Baking powder + baking soda – Lift and lighten the batter.
• Butter – Adds rich flavor and tender texture; use room-temperature butter.
• Buttermilk – Keeps the crumb moist and tender with a slight tang.
• Eggs – Bind the batter and help the cake rise.
• Vanilla – Essential for warm, classic flavor.
• Butter glaze – A simple mix of sugar, butter, vanilla, and water or bourbon that soaks into the warm cake.

Steps to Make Kentucky Butter Cake

1. Preheat the oven and prepare a Bundt pan.
2. Whisk together the dry ingredients.
3. Beat the butter with the sugars until creamy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time.
5. Mix in the dry ingredients and buttermilk alternately.
6. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
7. Bake until a skewer comes out clean.
8. Prepare the glaze while the cake bakes.
9. Poke holes into the warm cake and slowly pour the glaze over.
10. Let the glaze absorb, then invert the cake.
11. Brush with the reserved glaze and cool completely.

Recipe Variations

• Add almond extract. Replace part of the vanilla for a different flavor profile.
• Swirl in cinnamon. Add a light cinnamon swirl to the batter for warmth.
• Use rum. Swap bourbon for dark rum for a deeper, richer glaze.
• Coconut version. Add shredded coconut to the batter and use coconut extract.

Serving Suggestions

• Serve slices with fresh berries.
• Pair with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.
• Add confectioners’ sugar on top for a simple finish.
• Garnish with a drizzle of caramel sauce for extra indulgence.

Kentucky Butter Cake

Diana Rattray

Kentucky butter cake is a rich, moist cake that your family will ask for again and again, and it is so easy to prepare and bake! Brown sugar adds caramel flavor to this wonderful cake!

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Servings 16 servings

Calories 423

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

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• Butter and flour or baking spray, for the pan
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, (382 grams)
• 1 tsp fine salt
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter, (226 grams) room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar, (198 grams)
• 1 cup brown sugar, packed, light or dark (212 grams)
• 1 cup buttermilk, well shaken
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

Butter Glaze

• ¾ cup granulated sugar, (148.5 grams)
• ⅓ cup brown sugar, (70 grams)
• ½ cup unsalted butter, (113 grams)
• 4 tbsp water, or bourbon
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

Recommended Equipment

• 5-quart stand mixer
• Cooling racks
• 10-inch fluted cake pan
• Pastry brush

Instructions

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• Preheat the oven to 325 F. Grease and flour a 10 to 12-cup fluted pan or spray with baking spray.
  Butter and flour or baking spray
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Whisk to blend the dry ingredients and set aside.
  3 cups all-purpose flour | 1 tsp fine salt | 1 tsp baking powder | 1/2 tsp baking soda
• In a mixing bowl with an electric mixer, beat the butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar and 1 cup of brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract.
  1 cup unsalted butter | 1 cup granulated sugar | 1 cup brown sugar | 4 large eggs | 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• Add about 1/3 of the dry mixture and half of the buttermilk; beat on low speed until combined. Repeat with another 1/3 of the dry mixture and the remaining buttermilk, then add the remaining dry mixture and beat just until blended.
  1 cup buttermilk
• Spoon the batter into the prepared cake pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 55 to 65 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
  
• While the cake is baking, prepare the glaze. Combine 3/4 cup of granulated sugar, 1/3 cup of brown sugar, 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, 4 tablespoons of water (or bourbon), and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract in a saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium-low heat and cook just until the butter is melted and the mixture begins to simmer. Remove from the heat.
  3/4 cup granulated sugar | 1/3 cup brown sugar | 1/2 cup unsalted butter | 4 tbsp water | 2 tsp vanilla extract
• Leaving the baked cake in the pan, place it on a rack. Poke holes all over the cake with a skewer or chopstick.
• Transfer 3 tablespoons of the glaze to a small bowl and set it aside.
• Slowly drizzle the remaining glaze over the cake, giving it time to sink into the holes. Continue until all of the glaze is used.
• Let the cake stand for 10 minutes, then carefully turn it out onto a cake plate.
  
• Brush the reserved 3 tablespoons of glaze mixture over the outside of the cake with a pastry brush.
• Let the cake cool completely before slicing.

Nutrition

Calories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 59gProtein: 5gFat: 19gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 94mgSodium: 248mgPotassium: 95mgFiber: 1gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 624IUCalcium: 63mgIron: 1mg

Disclaimer:

Our nutritional information is based on a third-party application that analyzes the ingredients list to determine the values. The information is meant to be helpful, but should be considered an estimate. Values may differ depending on measurements, brands, serving variations, and database availability.

Keyword bundt cake, kentucky butter cake

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