Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

By: Rabia

Rich, buttery, and infused with a luscious salted caramel glaze, this Kentucky Butter Cake is the kind of dessert that disappears fast at every gathering. Itโ€™s melt-in-your-mouth moist, perfectly sweet with a hint of salt, and โ€” best of all โ€” incredibly easy to make. No wonder itโ€™s always requested!

๐Ÿ“ Recipe Card

Servings & Timing

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes

  • Bake Time: 55โ€“65 minutes

  • Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

  • Yield: 12โ€“14 servings

Dietary Badges
โœ… Crowd-Pleaser
โœ… Easy Bake
โœ… Make-Ahead Friendly

Ingredients

For the Cake

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour

  • 2 cups granulated sugar

  • 1 tsp baking powder

  • ยฝ tsp baking soda

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

  • 1 cup buttermilk

  • 4 large eggs

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

For the Salted Caramel Butter Glaze

  • ยพ cup sugar

  • โ…“ cup unsalted butter

  • 3 tbsp water

  • 2 tsp vanilla extract

  • ยฝ tsp sea salt (or more to taste)

Instructions

  1. Prep the Pan โ†’ Preheat oven to 325ยฐF (165ยฐC). Grease and flour a Bundt pan generously.

  2. Make the Batter โ†’ In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Add butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla. Beat until smooth and well blended.

  3. Bake โ†’ Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 55โ€“65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

  4. Prepare the Glaze โ†’ In a saucepan, combine sugar, butter, and water. Bring to a gentle boil, stirring until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, then stir in vanilla and sea salt.

  5. Soak the Cake โ†’ While cake is still warm in the pan, poke holes all over with a skewer. Slowly pour glaze over cake, letting it seep in.

  6. Cool & Serve โ†’ Let cake cool completely before removing from pan. Slice and serve โ€” each bite will be rich, buttery, and caramel-soaked.

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๐ŸŒŸ Why This Cake Works

Foolproof Method โ†’ Simple ingredients and one-bowl batter.
  • Moist & Flavorful โ†’ Glaze soaks into the cake, keeping it tender for days.

  • Crowd Favorite โ†’ Perfect for potlucks, birthdays, or just because.

  • Make-Ahead Magic โ†’ Tastes even better the next day after the flavors settle.

๐Ÿฝ Variations & Serving Ideas

  • Nutty Twist โ†’ Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts into the Bundt pan before pouring in batter.

  • Extra Caramel Drizzle โ†’ Warm caramel sauce over each slice just before serving.

  • Bourbon Kick โ†’ Add 1 tbsp bourbon to the glaze for a Kentucky-inspired flair.

  • Holiday Touch โ†’ Garnish with whipped cream and sugared cranberries at Christmas.

๐Ÿฅก Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Fridge: Keeps moist up to 5 days in an airtight container.

  • Freezer: Wrap slices tightly and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in fridge.

  • Best Flavor: Bake one day ahead so the glaze fully soaks in before serving.

โš–๏ธ Nutrition (per serving, approx.)

  • Calories: 420 kcal

  • Protein: 5 g

  • Carbs: 55 g

  • Fat: 20 g

  • Fiber: 1 g

โ“ FAQs

Q: Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
A: Yes โ€” mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp lemon juice or vinegar as a substitute.

Q: How do I prevent it from sticking to the Bundt pan?
A: Use baking spray with flour, or butter and flour the pan thoroughly, making sure to get into all crevices.

Q: Can I double the glaze?
A: Absolutely โ€” for an even more indulgent, caramel-soaked cake!

๐Ÿ’ฌ Personal Note

This cake never lasts long in my kitchen โ€” itโ€™s that good. Friends and family always ask for it by name, and the best part? Itโ€™s so simple, yet feels like a bakery-style masterpiece. Once you try it, it might just become your signature dessert too.

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Rabia
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