If you are on the hunt for a dessert that perfectly balances sweet indulgence with a touch of sophistication, this Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe is absolutely what you need. Imagine a moist, tender bundt cake infused with buttery richness, soaked in a luscious glaze, and then crowned with a decadent salted caramel topping that melts in your mouth. This Southern classic gets an irresistible twist with that salty caramel finish, making it a show-stopping treat for any occasion. Once you try this recipe, it’s bound to become your go-to dessert for celebrations or simply when you want to treat yourself to something truly special.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to create that perfect harmony of flavor, texture, and that inviting golden color that butter cakes are known for. Let’s break down these essentials so you know exactly why each one matters.
- All-purpose flour: The foundation that gives your cake structure and crumb.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create that tender crumb in the cake and glaze.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Essential leavening agents that make the cake rise just right.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor depth.
- Unsalted butter: Adds rich, creamy flavor and moisture; softened for easy mixing.
- Buttermilk: Adds tang and moisture, creating a tender and moist texture.
- Eggs: The binder that enriches and helps the cake rise.
- Vanilla extract: Brings warm, aromatic sweetness that ties everything together.
- Water (for glaze and caramel): Helps dissolve sugar and assists in caramelization.
- Heavy cream: Creates the luscious, silky caramel topping with a velvety finish.
- Sea salt: Adds that signature salty crunch that cuts through the sweetness of the caramel.
How to Make Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F (163°C) and generously grease and flour your bundt pan. This crucial step ensures your cake won’t stick and makes it a breeze to remove once baked. Trust me, a well-prepped pan is the first step to a flawless cake.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This evenly distributes the raising agents and salt with the flour, which makes the cake rise beautifully and have a consistent taste throughout.
Step 3: Add the Wet Ingredients and Blend
Next, incorporate your softened butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer and beat for about three minutes until the batter is silky smooth. This beating process is key to aerating the batter, ensuring that tender crumb texture Kentucky butter cakes are famous for.
Step 4: Bake the Cake
Pour that luscious batter into your prepared bundt pan and bake for 60 to 70 minutes. You’ll know it’s done when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Patience is a virtue here; the longer bake time creates that deep golden crust while keeping the inside soft and buttery.
Step 5: Make the Butter Glaze
While your cake is baking, combine sugar, butter, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until butter melts and sugar dissolves, then remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract. This glaze is what takes the cake from great to unforgettable by soaking into every crevice and infusing it with moist sweetness.
Step 6: Glaze the Cake
When the cake is fresh from the oven, poke holes all over the top using a skewer or toothpick. Slowly pour the buttery glaze over the still-hot cake right in the pan. Let it cool completely so the glaze sinks in deeply, then invert it onto your favorite serving plate. This step is crucial—it’s what gives the cake that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 7: Prepare the Salted Caramel Sauce
In a medium saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat without stirring. Swirl the pan occasionally to dissolve the sugar evenly. Once it turns a deep amber color, it’s time to add the butter and heavy cream. Be careful, as it will bubble up vigorously! Stir until smooth and then mix in sea salt for that perfect balance of sweet and salty.
Step 8: Add the Final Salted Caramel Touch
After the cake has cooled and been removed from the pan, generously drizzle the salted caramel sauce over the top. For an added touch of flair and texture, sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt on top. The contrast of textures and flavors will captivate anyone lucky enough to enjoy this cake.
How to Serve Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
Garnishes
Adding garnishes can elevate the presentation and flavor profile of your cake. Consider sprinkling flaky sea salt for texture, lightly toasted pecans for crunch, or even edible gold flakes if you’re feeling festive. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream pairs beautifully as well.
Side Dishes
This cake stands beautifully on its own, but if you want to create a complete dessert experience, serve it alongside fresh berries or a simple fruit compote to add a bright, tangy contrast. A cup of rich coffee or a smooth bourbon can also complement the flavors magnificently.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re serving this Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe at a party, consider cutting small slices and placing each on a dessert plate with a drizzle of extra caramel sauce and a sprinkle of chopped nuts. You could also layer chunks of this cake with vanilla pudding and caramel sauce for a decadent trifle that will wow your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftover cake (and believe me, it’s hard not to eat it all in one sitting!), store it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep it moist and flavorful.
Freezing
To make life easier, you can freeze leftover pieces. Wrap individual slices tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. Frozen cake keeps well for up to two months and still tastes fantastic after thawing in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
To bring back that freshly baked warmth, gently reheat slices in the microwave for about 15 seconds or warm the cake on low heat briefly in the oven. Pair with a little extra caramel sauce or vanilla ice cream for a deliciously cozy treat.
FAQs
Can I use regular milk instead of buttermilk?
While regular milk can work in a pinch, buttermilk adds a subtle tang and acidity that helps tenderize the cake, improves the texture, and balances sweetness. For the best version of the Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe, I highly recommend sticking to buttermilk or making a buttermilk substitute with milk and lemon juice.
Is it necessary to poke holes in the cake before glazing?
Yes! Poking holes allows the butter glaze to seep deeply into the cake, ensuring every bite is moist and flavorful. Skipping this step means you’ll lose some of the delicious, gooey texture signature to this cake.
Can I make this cake in a different pan?
The bundt pan is ideal because of its shape, which encourages even baking and make it easy to glaze. However, you can use a well-greased 9×13 inch pan if necessary, but adjust baking time accordingly and expect a slightly different texture and look.
What’s the best way to get the salted caramel sauce just right?
Patience and careful observation are key. Don’t stir the sugar and water while it cooks in the caramel stage—simply swirl the pan occasionally. Look for a deep amber color before removing from heat to get that rich caramel flavor without burning.
Can I make this cake dairy-free?
You can try substituting dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives, like vegan butter and oat or almond milk with a small splash of vinegar as a buttermilk substitute. Keep in mind the texture and taste might vary slightly, but it can still be a delicious treat.
Final Thoughts
This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe is such a wonderful way to impress family and friends with minimal fuss but maximum flavor. It perfectly combines buttery richness with that addictive salted caramel finish that keeps everyone coming back for more. Don’t be intimidated by the steps—they’re straightforward and so worth the effort. Go ahead, bake this showstopper and share the joy of a true Southern classic that feels like a warm hug in cake form.
Print
Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Southern American
Description
A decadent Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake featuring a moist, buttery bundt cake glazed with a rich butter glaze and topped with smooth homemade salted caramel sauce. This southern-inspired dessert is perfect for special occasions and gatherings, combining the comforting flavors of vanilla, butter, and caramel with a touch of sea salt for balance.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Butter Glaze:
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Salted Caramel Topping:
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Generously grease and flour a bundt pan to prevent sticking and ensure an even bake.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until thoroughly combined to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and flavors.
- Add Wet Ingredients and Combine: Add the softened butter, buttermilk, eggs, and vanilla extract to the dry ingredients. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed for about 3 minutes until the batter is smooth, creamy, and well incorporated.
- Bake the Cake: Pour the batter evenly into the prepared bundt pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 60 to 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, indicating the cake is fully baked.
- Prepare Butter Glaze: While the cake is baking, combine the granulated sugar, unsalted butter, and water in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir continuously until the butter melts and the sugar fully dissolves. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract for added flavor.
- Glaze the Hot Cake: Once the cake is out of the oven, use a skewer or toothpick to poke holes all over the top surface (which will be the bottom when flipped). Slowly pour the warm butter glaze over the hot cake while it remains in the pan, allowing it to soak in. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before inverting it onto a serving plate.
- Make Salted Caramel Sauce: In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar and water over medium heat. Avoid stirring directly; instead, swirl the pan occasionally until the sugar dissolves and the mixture turns a deep amber color, signaling caramelization.
- Finish Caramel Sauce: Remove the pan from heat and carefully whisk in the butter and heavy cream, watching for vigorous bubbling. Stir until the mixture is smooth. Add sea salt and mix well to achieve the perfect balance of sweet and salty. Allow the sauce to cool slightly before use.
- Assemble and Serve: After the cake has cooled and been removed from the pan, drizzle the salted caramel sauce generously over the top. Optionally, garnish with a pinch of flaky sea salt to enhance the caramel flavors and presentation.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is fully softened before mixing for a smooth batter.
- Do not stir the sugar when making caramel; swirling the pan prevents crystallization.
- The glaze is best poured over the cake while still hot to allow proper absorption.
- Allow the caramel sauce to cool slightly before drizzling to avoid melting the cake’s surface too much.
- Use a bundt pan with a nonstick coating or ensure thorough greasing and flouring for easy release.
