Decadent Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Oozy Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe For Beginners

Sweet, decadent, and irresistibly moist, this salted caramel Kentucky butter cake recipe promises pure indulgence with every bite.

Southern baking traditions shine through in this delectable dessert that blends rich buttery flavors with a luxurious caramel twist.

The cake velvety texture melts effortlessly on your tongue, creating a symphony of sweet and salty notes.

Soft, tender crumb layers complement the deep caramel undertones that make this recipe a showstopper.

Guests will marvel at the incredible depth of flavor packed into each delightful slice.

Simple ingredients transform into an extraordinary dessert that elevates any gathering.

This Kentucky classic delivers comfort and elegance in one stunning cake that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Ingredients for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

For Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and foundation for the cake, choose unbleached flour for best texture and flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create a tender crumb, look for fine-quality white sugar.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness, use fine-grain table salt.
  • Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Critical leavening agents that help cake rise and become light and fluffy, ensure they're fresh and not expired.
For Wet Ingredients:
  • Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tanginess, creates tender crumb, select full-fat version for richest results.
  • Butter: Crucial for rich flavor and smooth texture, use high-quality unsalted butter at room temperature.
  • Vanilla: Provides deep, warm flavor complexity, choose pure vanilla extract over imitation.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, select large, fresh eggs at room temperature.
For Caramel Sauce Ingredients:
  • Sugar, Butter, Water, Vanilla: Create luscious, glossy caramel sauce that adds decadent sweetness, use fresh ingredients and watch carefully while cooking to prevent burning.

Kitchen Tools for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

  • Bundt pan: Large, distinctive ring-shaped cake pan with decorative fluted sides.
  • Large mixing bowl: Essential for combining dry and wet ingredients smoothly.
  • Whisk: Perfect for blending dry ingredients evenly without lumps.
  • Electric mixer: Helps achieve smooth, consistent cake batter texture.
  • Skewer or toothpick: Used to test cake doneness and create holes for sauce absorption.
  • Saucepan: Small pot for preparing the delicious butter sauce.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.

Baking Directions for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

  • Cake Preparation

Gather all necessary baking tools and ingredients for a delightful salted caramel Kentucky butter cake. Warm up your kitchen and get ready for a sweet adventure.

  • Mixing Magic

Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl, creating a soft, powdery foundation. Gently introduce wet ingredients and blend until the batter becomes smooth and silky.

  • Baking Brilliance

Transfer the velvety mixture into a classic Bundt pan. Allow the cake to transform in a warm oven, developing a golden exterior and tender interior.

  • Caramel Drench

Create a luxurious sauce that will elevate the cake’s flavor profile. Melt ingredients together until they form a glossy, rich liquid that promises pure indulgence.

  • Final Touch

Carefully puncture the warm cake with small holes, then generously pour the decadent sauce over the surface. Let the cake absorb the sweet nectar, creating a moist and irresistible dessert that will make taste buds dance with joy.

Pro Tips for Kentucky Butter Cake with Caramel

  • Pro tips to elevate your Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake game.
  • Ensure all ingredients like eggs, buttermilk, and butter are at room temperature for smoother mixing and consistent texture.
  • Use a non-stick baking spray with flour or carefully grease and flour the Bundt pan to prevent cake from sticking and breaking when removing.
  • Don't overmix the batter; stop mixing once ingredients are just combined to keep the cake tender and prevent a tough, dense result.
  • Poke holes while the cake is still warm and immediately pour the sauce, allowing maximum absorption for a decadent, ultra-moist cake that melts in your mouth.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

  • Caramel Cascade Presentation: Pour warm salted caramel sauce generously over each slice, allowing it to drip elegantly down the sides of the cake, creating a stunning visual and enhancing the rich flavor profile.
  • Decadent Topping Twist: Sprinkle flaky sea salt crystals or crushed praline pecans on top to add a delightful crunch and elevate the cake's texture, complementing the buttery cake and caramel notes.
  • Creamy Companion: Serve alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream to balance the cake's sweetness and provide a cool, luxurious contrast to the warm, rich dessert.
  • Elegant Serving Style: Place each slice on a vintage-style plate with a light dusting of powdered sugar and a small caramel drizzle, creating a restaurant-worthy presentation that will impress guests and make the dessert feel extra special.

Storing Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Properly

  • Smart Storage Solutions
  • Cake Sanctuary: Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, keeping its moisture and soft texture intact. Cover loosely with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
  • Refrigeration Strategy: For longer preservation, place cake in sealed container in refrigerator up to one week. Bring to room temperature before serving to restore its delightful buttery richness.
  • Freezing Magic: Wrap individual slices or whole cake tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator for best taste and texture.
  • Sauce Savvy: Keep extra caramel sauce in glass jar with tight lid in refrigerator for 5-7 days. Gently reheat in microwave or warm water bath before drizzling over cake slices.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 437 kcal

Servings: 13

Print
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Decadent Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

Decadent Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 34 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Kentucky butter cake combines rich, buttery flavors with irresistible salted caramel notes. Moist crumb and luscious glaze make this dessert a Southern classic that beckons you to savor each delectable slice.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large eggs
  • 1 cup (226 g) butter (room temperature)
  • 2 cups (400 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
  • 3 cups (375 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsps vanilla
  • ¾ cup (150 g) sugar
  • ⅓ cup (76 g) butter
  • 3 tbsps water
  • 2 tsps vanilla

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Thoroughly coat a 10-inch Bundt pan with butter and flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent adhesion.
  2. Dry Mixture: Sift flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda in a large mixing bowl until perfectly blended.
  3. Batter Creation: Combine buttermilk, butter, vanilla extract, and eggs in the dry ingredients. Blend on low speed initially, then beat at medium speed for 3 minutes until achieving a silky, homogeneous texture.
  4. Baking Process: Pour batter into prepared pan, distributing evenly. Slide into a preheated oven at 325°F and bake for 55-65 minutes. Verify doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should emerge clean without raw batter residue.
  5. Caramel Sauce Preparation: Melt sugar, butter, water, and vanilla extract in a saucepan over low heat. Stir continuously until transforming into a smooth, glossy liquid without reaching a boiling point.
  6. Sauce Integration: After slight cooling, puncture cake surface with a thin skewer. Drench the warm caramel sauce across the cake, ensuring complete saturation through the created channels. Allow the cake to absorb the sauce thoroughly before serving.

Notes

  • Ensure Pan Preparation: Thoroughly grease and flour Bundt pan to prevent cake from sticking and breaking during removal.
  • Control Mixing Speed: Start mixing on low speed to moisten ingredients, then increase to medium for a smooth, silky batter texture that prevents overmixing.
  • Check Cake Doneness: Use toothpick test carefully, inserting into cake’s center – clean toothpick indicates perfectly baked cake without raw batter.
  • Sauce Absorption Technique: Create multiple small holes with skewer before pouring warm sauce, allowing maximum flavor penetration and moisture throughout the cake.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 55 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 437
  • Sugar: 45 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 19 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 58 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 102 mg
Michael Reynolds

Michael Reynolds

Founder, Head Recipe Developer & Cuisine Specialist

Expertise

Recipe Development and Testing​, Modern American and European Cuisines​, Food Styling and Photography, Culinary Education and Workshops​

Education

Johnson & Wales University

  • Degree: Bachelor of Science in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Comprehensive training in classical and modern cooking techniques, kitchen management, and global cuisines.​

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

  • Program: Diploma in Pastry Arts
  • Focus: Specialized education in baking and pastry, emphasizing artisanal bread, confections, and plated desserts.​

Michael Reynolds is the founder and head recipe creator at wd-50.com. With over 15 years of experience in the kitchen, he’s spent time working in top restaurants and now focuses on making great food easy for everyone at home.

Michael studied culinary arts at Johnson & Wales University and later trained in pastry at the Auguste Escoffier School. He knows his way around both savory meals and sweet treats.

At wd-50.com, his goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen, whether you’re trying something new or cooking a favorite dish. He loves using fresh ingredients and simple steps that still bring out big flavors.

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