Kentucky Butter Cake

About the Cake

This old-fashioned Southern classic is beloved for its simplicity and incredible flavor. The cake itself is soft, tender, and buttery, while the glaze adds a rich, melt-in-your-mouth sweetness. It’s the kind of dessert that gets better the next day as the buttery glaze soaks deeper into the cake.

Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup buttermilk (room temp)
• 4 large eggs (room temp)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional but amazing!)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

For the Butter Glaze:

• ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

instructions

1. Prepare the Pan

• Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C).
• Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly (or use baking spray with flour). Make sure to get into all the grooves.

2. Make the Cake Batter

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
2. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 3-4 minutes).
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.
4. Alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined (don’t overmix).

3. Bake the Cake

• Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan.
• Bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Let the cake cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then poke holes all over the top with a skewer or fork.

4. Make the Butter Glaze

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. Stir in the sugar and water, cooking until the sugar dissolves (don’t boil).
3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

5. Glaze the Cake

• Slowly pour the glaze over the warm cake while it’s still in the pan, allowing it to seep into the holes.
• Let the cake sit in the pan until completely cooled, then invert onto a serving plate.
• For extra indulgence, drizzle a little more glaze on top once removed from the pan.

Serving & Tips

• Serve plain, with whipped cream, or fresh berries.
• Tastes even better the next day as the flavors deepen.
• Store covered at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze slices for up to 3 months.

Benefits of This Cake

• Moist & long-lasting: The butter glaze keeps it soft for days.
• Crowd-pleaser: Perfect for holidays, potlucks, and celebrations.
• Simple ingredients: Uses pantry staples, no fuss.
• Versatile: You can swap almond extract for rum, bourbon, or lemon for a flavor twist.