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Kentucky Butter Cake

A rich, buttery Bundt cake soaked in a sweet vanilla butter sauce that seeps into every bite. This classic Southern dessert is moist, tender, and irresistibly flavorful with a delicate golden crust.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 slices
Course: Baked Goods, Cake, Dessert, Holiday Treats, Southern Classics
Cuisine: American
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour unbleached
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 3/4 cup white sugar for sauce
  • 1/3 cup butter for sauce
  • 3 tbsp water
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract for sauce

Method
 

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan.
  2. In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
  3. Add buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, and eggs. Beat on medium speed for 3 minutes until smooth.
  4. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  5. While cake is warm, prick holes all over with a toothpick or skewer.
  6. For the sauce, combine sugar, butter, water, and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat over medium until melted and combined, without boiling.
  7. Slowly pour the warm sauce over the warm cake, allowing it to soak in. Let cool before removing from pan and serving.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a dusting of powdered sugar before serving. Store covered to keep the cake moist.