Irresistible Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Sweet memories often revolve around a decadent salted caramel Kentucky butter cake that melts right into your heart.

Grandma’s classic recipe carries whispers of southern charm and comfort.

Rich butter creates a luxurious texture that feels like pure indulgence.

Delicate salt crystals dance across golden-brown surfaces, promising complex flavor profiles.

Smooth caramel ribbons weave through tender crumb layers with irresistible grace.

Baking this dessert becomes an intimate celebration of culinary artistry.

Each slice invites you to savor a moment of pure, sugary bliss.

What Makes This Butter Cake So Irresistible

• Impress friends and family with a professional-looking dessert that tastes like it's from a gourmet bakery, without needing advanced pastry skills.
• A rich, moist cake with a buttery glaze and salted caramel topping that satisfies sweet cravings and creates instant happiness for all ages.
• Easy step-by-step instructions make this recipe approachable for bakers of all levels, ensuring success even for those with minimal baking experience.
• Perfect for potlucks, holiday gatherings, birthdays, or simply enjoying a delightful dessert that transforms an ordinary day into something special.

Ingredients for Salted Caramel Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure for the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with cake texture.
• Butter: Creates rich, smooth cake base.
• Eggs: Binds ingredients and adds moisture.
• Buttermilk: Adds tanginess and helps create tender crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise.
• Baking Soda: Helps cake rise and balance acidity.
• Salt: Balances and highlights other flavors.

• Butter: Creates rich, smooth glaze.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness.
• Water: Helps create glaze consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances glaze flavor.

• Granulated Sugar: Base for caramel color and flavor.
• Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture.
• Heavy Cream: Creates creamy caramel consistency.
• Sea Salt: Adds depth and balances sweetness.

How to Bake Kentucky Butter Cake

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank the oven to 325°F.

Generously coat a 9-inch deep round or Bundt pan with grease and flour, ensuring every nook is covered.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Blend these ingredients until they’re evenly combined.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar together.

Keep whipping until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and looks like clouds – this should take about 3-5 minutes.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Crack eggs into the butter mixture one at a time, beating well after each addition.

Pour in vanilla and mix thoroughly.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Alternately add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter.

Start and end with dry ingredients.

Mix gently until just combined – don’t overmix.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Smooth the top with a spatula to create an even surface.

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for 60-70 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 8: Create Butter Glaze

• Sugar
• Butter
• Water
• Vanilla

Melt these ingredients in a saucepan.

Be careful not to boil the mixture.

Step 9: Glaze the Cake

Once the cake is out of the oven, use a fork or skewer to poke holes across the top.

Slowly pour the warm glaze over the cake, allowing it to seep into the holes.

Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Step 10: Cool and Remove

Allow the cake to cool completely before carefully removing it from the pan.

Step 11: Craft the Caramel Drizzle

In a saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat until it turns a rich amber color.

Add butter and stir until melted.

Pour in cream and sprinkle sea salt.

Let the mixture simmer for 1-2 minutes.

Step 12: Final Touch

Drizzle the cooled caramel generously over the cake just before serving.

Slice and enjoy the decadent creation!

Tips for Rich, Moist Butter Cake

• Thoroughly grease and flour the pan, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered to guarantee a smooth cake release without breaking.
• No buttermilk? Mix regular milk with a tablespoon of lemon juice or white vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes to create a perfect buttermilk alternative.
• Pour the warm butter glaze slowly and evenly, allowing it to seep into the poked holes for maximum moisture and flavor penetration.
• Watch sugar carefully when caramelizing, swirling the pan gently to achieve a rich amber color without burning, which can create bitter notes.
• Allow ingredients like eggs and butter to reach room temperature before mixing to ensure smoother batter and more even cake texture.

Storing and Reheating Caramel Cake Properly

• Store cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover with plastic wrap or place in a sealed container to prevent drying out.
• Wrap cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Slice cake and microwave individual pieces for 15-20 seconds. Check temperature and heat in short intervals to prevent drying.
• Preheat oven to 300°F. Place cake slice on baking sheet, cover loosely with foil. Warm for 5-7 minutes until heated through.

Pairing Ideas for Butter Cake Desserts

• Pair with Smooth Bourbon: Select a Kentucky bourbon like Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve to complement the cake's rich, buttery flavor and enhance the caramel notes.
• Serve with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Create a luxurious dessert experience by adding a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream that balances the cake's sweetness and provides a cool contrast.
• Match with Salted Caramel Latte: Brew a homemade salted caramel latte with espresso, steamed milk, and caramel syrup to echo the cake's flavor profile and provide a warm, indulgent accompaniment.
• Enjoy with Candied Pecans: Sprinkle some toasted, salted candied pecans alongside the cake to add a crunchy texture and nutty undertone that complements the buttery, caramel-rich dessert.

Sweet Twists for Caramel Butter Cake

• Gluten-Free Version: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the texture remains moist and tender. Add xanthan gum for better binding and structure.
• Dairy-Free Alternative: Substitute buttermilk with almond milk or coconut milk, and use dairy-free margarine instead of butter. Select plant-based alternatives that maintain the cake's rich flavor profile.
• Low-Sugar Option: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia in place of regular sugar. Reduce the amount of sugar in both cake and caramel to create a lighter, less caloric dessert that still satisfies sweet cravings.
• Vegan Adaptation: Replace eggs with flax eggs or applesauce, use coconut cream for caramel, and select plant-based butter alternatives. Ensure all ingredients complement each other to preserve the cake's signature richness.

FAQs

• What makes this cake different from a traditional butter cake?

This cake stands out with its rich butter glaze that gets poured over the warm cake, creating an incredibly moist and tender texture that soaks deep into the cake, making it more decadent and flavorful than standard butter cakes.

• Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?

No, buttermilk is crucial for this recipe. It provides a tangy flavor and helps create a tender crumb. If you don’t have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk and letting it sit for 5 minutes.

• How do I know when the caramel is the right color?

The caramel should reach a deep amber color, which typically takes about 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully and swirl the pan occasionally to ensure even heating. Remove from heat as soon as it turns a rich golden-amber to prevent burning.

• Is this cake best served warm or cold?

The cake is best served at room temperature. The butter glaze needs time to fully absorb, and the caramel should be cooled slightly for the best flavor and texture.

Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Rich salted caramel Kentucky butter cake delivers pure Southern comfort with silky smooth texture and deep caramel notes. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each buttery, moist crumb that melts deliciously on the palate.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cake Ingredients:

• 3 cups (720 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar

Leavening Agents:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Prepare the oven at 325°F and thoroughly coat a 9-inch deep round or Bundt pan with grease and flour to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a mixing bowl, whisking flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly distributed.
3. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until light and airy, approximately 3-5 minutes to develop a fluffy texture.
4. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, then blend in vanilla extract for enhanced flavor.
5. Gradually add dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, alternating between the two and mixing until just combined to maintain a tender crumb.
6. Transfer batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula to ensure even baking.
7. Bake for 60-70 minutes at 325°F, checking doneness with a toothpick inserted into the center.
8. Prepare butter glaze simultaneously by gently melting sugar, butter, water, and vanilla in a saucepan without bringing to a boil.
9. After removing cake from oven, create multiple holes across the surface and carefully pour warm glaze, allowing it to seep into the cake for 10-15 minutes.
10. Allow cake to cool completely before carefully removing from the pan.
11. Create caramel by melting sugar over medium heat until it turns amber, then incorporate butter, cream, and sea salt, simmering for 1-2 minutes to develop rich flavor.
12. Elegantly drizzle cooled caramel over the cake just before serving to add a luxurious finishing touch.

Notes

• Achieve perfect texture by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing, which helps create a smoother, more evenly baked cake.
• Prevent cake from sticking by thoroughly greasing and flouring the pan, paying extra attention to all curves and crevices in a Bundt pan.
• Avoid overmixing batter after adding dry ingredients to keep the cake tender and prevent developing tough gluten strands that can make the cake dense.
• For a gluten-free version, substitute all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend and add 1 teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve texture and binding.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 70 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 400
• Sugar: 33 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 14 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 47 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 5 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg