Kentucky Butter Cake

Here’s a classic, indulgent Kentucky Butter Cake recipe — rich, buttery, moist, and soaked with a sweet buttery glaze that seeps into every bite. It’s perfect for holidays, gatherings, or just because.

🍰 Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, softened
2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
4 large eggs
3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup (240ml) buttermilk
2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Butter Sauce:

3/4 cup (170g) granulated sugar
1/3 cup (75g) unsalted butter
3 tbsp water
2 tsp vanilla extract

🔪 Instructions

1. Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).
Grease and flour a Bundt pan thoroughly (important to prevent sticking).

2. Make the Cake Batter

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3–5 minutes).
Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
Add dry ingredients to the wet mixture alternately with buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix just until combined.
Stir in vanilla extract.

3. Bake

Pour batter into prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
While baking, prepare the butter sauce.

4. Make the Butter Sauce

In a small saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and water.
Cook over medium heat, stirring, just until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Do not boil.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

5. Glaze the Cake

Once the cake is out of the oven, leave it in the pan.
Poke holes all over the cake with a skewer or fork.
Slowly pour the warm butter sauce over the cake, letting it soak in.
Let the cake sit in the pan for at least 30 minutes, or until fully cooled and the sauce is absorbed.

6. Unmold & Serve

Invert the cake onto a serving plate.
Dust with powdered sugar if desired, or drizzle with extra glaze.

🍴 Tips & Variations

Make ahead: This cake gets better the next day!
Add a touch of rum or bourbon to the glaze for an adult twist.
Serve with berries, whipped cream, or ice cream for a dessert everyone will rave about.

Want a printable version or a smaller batch version?