Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

This Kentucky butter cake is unbelievably moist, tender, and, of course, buttery! It’s the ultimate definition of decadence.

And did I mention it’s a breeze to make? Even newbie bakers can pull this off.

It’s such an easy way to impress your family and friends. And it’s perfect for any occasion.

What Is the Difference Between Butter Cake and Pound Cake?

Kentucky butter cake is a popular southern dessert, and for good reason. It’s basically a pound cake baked in a Bundt pan.

The difference between this butter cake and a pound cake is the delectable butter vanilla sauce.

It’s poured over the warm cake and soaks into every nook and cranny. That makes it insanely moist and rich.

Seriously, it’s to die for!

Ingredients

Ready to bake? Here’s what you’ll need for a classic Kentucky butter cake.

• All-purpose flour – The recipe calls for unbleached flour for a denser cake. But regular all-purpose flour is okay to use, too.

• Baking powder and baking soda – The leavening agents that ensure the cake rises.

• Butter – It’s called butter cake, after all! Use high-quality, real butter for the best-tasting cake. It also has to be softened to room temperature.

• Sugar – To sweeten the cake.

• Eggs – Use room-temperature eggs and add them to the mixture one by one. 

• Vanilla extract – It pairs beautifully with butter. 

• Buttermilk – To make DIY buttermilk, add a tablespoon of vinegar to a liquid measuring glass. Fill it with milk until it reaches one cup. Easy peasy.

• Butter Sauce – A simple mixture of butter, sugar, vanilla, and water.

How to Make Kentucky Butter Cake

Follow these easy steps for a perfect Kentucky butter cake.

1. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees, and grease a 10-inch Bundt pan with butter.

2. Combine the dry ingredients. Sift flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large bowl.

3. Cream the butter and sugar. Beat them with a hand mixer for 3 to 4 minutes until fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla until well combined.

4. Combine the wet and dry mixtures. Alternate pouring the dry ingredients and buttermilk into the butter-sugar mixture. Mix just until combined.

5. Bake. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan and bake for 1 hour.

6. Make the butter sauce. Combine all the butter sauce ingredients in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently. Don’t bring to a boil.

7. Poke and pour. While still in the pan, poke holes all over the cake. Then, pour the sauce over while it’s still warm.

8. Serve, and enjoy. Let cool completely before removing it from the Bundt pan.

At this points, it’s typically served with a simple dusting of powdered sugar.

I went with a glaze to make it extra moist and sweet! But that’s optional – it’s more than tasty enough on its own.

Tips for the Best Butter Cake

Perfect your Kentucky butter cake with these key tips.

• Sift the powdered ingredients. This includes your flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. It aerates the ingredients, yielding a lighter cake.

• Beat the butter and sugar for a fluffy cake. It allows the sugar to aerate the butter, giving the cake a lighter texture.

• Don’t over-mix. Over-mixing is the enemy of cakes. If you mix the ingredients too much, you’ll end up with a tough and crusty cake.

• Use a light-colored Bundt pan. This will prevent the cake from over-browning.

• Make it boozy. Sub some (or all) of the water with rum or brandy when making the butter sauce.

• Make the cake ahead of time. Kentucky butter cake tastes even better the next day!

How to Get a Bundt Cake Out Of the Pan

Making sure a cake doesn’t stick to the pan is usually easy. Just line it with parchment paper, and you’re all set.

But if you’re using a Bundt pan, like in this recipe, it’s not so simple. 

Don’t worry, there are a couple of ways to ensure you can easily take that cake out of the pan. Such as:

Grease the Pan Well

The key is to grease the pan generously – the bottom, sides, and every nook and cranny!

Use one of these methods:

• Oil or Butter: This classic method adds a slight richness to your bake.
• Butter plus Flour: After greasing with butter, add a bit of flour, shake, and rotate the pan to ensure an even coating of flour.
• Non-Stick Spray: It’s convenient, mess-free, and ideal for intricate molds or shapes.

Make Homemade Cake Release

Cake Release is just what it sounds like – something to help the cake out of the pan.

It’s easy to make and works like magic! Plus, it requires only two steps:

1. Mix equal parts flour, oil, and shortening until combined.
2. Brush the mixture generously over the pan’s sides and bottom.

For both methods, be sure that the cake is completely cooled before taking it out of the pan.

What to Serve with Kentucky Butter Cake

This cake is one of the most sinful, delectable cakes there is.

It’s phenomenal as it is, but you can make it even more indulgent by adding one (or more!) of these toppings!

• Whipped Cream – A light and fluffy topping to contrast the dense pound cake.
• Fresh Berries – How does a medley of strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries sound?
• Vanilla Ice Cream – Because everything tastes better with ice cream.
• Warm Salted Caramel Sauce – Apart from the flavor, it also gives your dessert that lovely warm and cool contrast.
• Powdered Sugar – It’s a simple addition, yet it makes the cake look so elegant! It’s also a neat trick for hiding any cake imperfections.

How to Store Kentucky Butter Cake

Kentucky butter cake is a terrific make ahead dessert because it tastes so much better the next day!

That said, you’ll need to know how to store it so it stays fresh. Here’s how to store a whole cake or leftovers:

To Store a Whole Cake: Let the cake cool in the bundt pan, then cover with 2 layers of plastic wrap and foil. Keep it at room temperature for up to 4 days.

To Store a Leftover Cake: Transfer leftovers to an airtight container and keep it at room temperature for 3-4 days.

To Freeze: Double-wrap the cake with plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. You can freeze the whole cake or freeze the slices individually using the same method.

When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen cake, simply thaw at room temperature until soft.

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