Here’s a classic Kentucky Butter Cake recipe—rich, buttery, and indulgently moist, perfect for special occasions or a treat with coffee. 🍰🧈
Kentucky Butter Cake (8–10 servings)
Ingredients
Cake
- 2¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk
Butter Glaze
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup water
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
1. Prepare cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Stir in vanilla.
- Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until smooth.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top. Bake 35–40 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
2. Make butter glaze
- In a small saucepan, combine butter, water, and sugar over medium heat.
- Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
3. Glaze the cake
- While cake is still warm, poke small holes all over the top with a fork or skewer.
- Pour glaze evenly over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Tips
- Extra moist: Make holes in the cake generously so the glaze soaks in.
- Make-ahead: Cake keeps well at room temperature for 1–2 days; refrigerate for longer storage.
- Flavor twist: Add a teaspoon of bourbon to the glaze for a classic Kentucky touch.
Variations
- Individual servings: Bake in 9–12 cupcake molds and drizzle glaze over each.
- Chocolate Kentucky Butter Cake: Add ½ cup cocoa powder to the dry ingredients for a chocolate twist.
- Nutty version: Sprinkle chopped pecans on top before adding the glaze.
If you want, I can give a super-moist, ultra-buttery version with browned butter glaze that’s considered the ultimate Kentucky Butter Cake.
Do you want me to do that version?
