Kentucky Butter Cake recipe

Ingredients

For the Cake:

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • 1 cup buttermilk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 large eggs

For the Butter Sauce:

  • ¾ cup sugar
  • ⅓ cup unsalted butter
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a Bundt pan thoroughly.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
  3. Add wet ingredients: Add butter, buttermilk, vanilla, and eggs. Beat with a mixer on low for 30 seconds, then on medium for 3 minutes until the batter is smooth.
  4. Pour batter into pan and smooth the top. Bake for 60–70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  5. Make the butter sauce: While the cake is baking, combine sugar, butter, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium heat until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  6. Poke holes in warm cake: Once the cake is out of the oven, leave it in the pan. Poke holes all over using a skewer or fork.
  7. Pour the butter sauce slowly over the cake, letting it soak in. Let the cake cool in the pan for at least 1 hour to absorb the sauce.
  8. Invert the cake onto a serving plate once completely cooled. Optional: dust with powdered sugar or serve with whipped cream.

Let me know if you’d like a glazed version or to add bourbon for a boozy twist!

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