The Perfect Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe You’ll Love

Salted caramel Kentucky butter cake refines ordinary dessert into an extraordinary culinary experience that melts hearts instantly.

Decadent layers of sweet and salty flavors dance together in each remarkable slice.

Creamy textures merge seamlessly with rich, buttery notes that tantalize your taste buds.

This irresistible confection bridges comfort and elegance through its sophisticated yet approachable profile.

Delicate nuances of caramel interplay with subtle sea salt, creating a harmonious sensory journey.

Unexpected depth emerges from carefully balanced ingredients that elevate this classic cake beyond traditional boundaries.

Prepare to indulge in a dessert that promises pure, unrestrained deliciousness.

How to Bake Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Warm up the oven to 325°F. Carefully coat a Bundt pan with grease and flour, ensuring every nook and cranny is covered.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Sugar
• Salt
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Step 3: Create the Cake Batter

• Buttermilk
• Butter
• Vanilla
• Eggs

Mix on low speed until ingredients are just moistened, then beat on medium speed for 3 minutes until smooth and creamy.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Transfer the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Slide the pan into the preheated oven and bake for 55-65 minutes. Check doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 5: Craft the Butter Sauce

• Sugar
• Butter
• Water
• Vanilla

Gently melt these ingredients in a saucepan over low heat, stirring continuously until smooth. Avoid boiling the mixture.

Step 6: Finish and Serve

Use a skewer to poke holes throughout the cake. Slowly pour the warm butter sauce over the cake, allowing it to seep into every crevice. Let the cake absorb the sauce completely. Slice, serve, and savor the decadent flavors of this Kentucky classic.

Best Tips for Baking Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

• Check Buttermilk Substitute: Use milk mixed with a tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice if you don't have buttermilk on hand.
• Prevent Cake Sticking: Generously grease the Bundt pan with butter and flour, ensuring every crevice is covered to help the cake release smoothly.
• Mix Batter Precisely: Beat exactly 3 minutes as specified to develop the cake's perfect texture and ensure even air incorporation.
• Test Cake Doneness: Insert a toothpick at a slight angle near the center; it should come out clean with minimal crumbs for optimal baking.
• Create Smooth Sauce: Stir sauce ingredients gently over low heat, avoiding boiling to maintain a silky caramel consistency that will soak beautifully into the cake.

How to Store and Reheat Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Like a Pro

• Refrigeration: Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap or store in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for up to 5 days to maintain moisture and freshness. The salted caramel sauce helps preserve the cake's soft texture.
• Room Temperature: If enjoying within 2 days, leave the cake covered on the countertop at room temperature. Place a clean kitchen towel over the top to prevent drying out and preserve its delicious buttery flavor.
• Reheating: Gently warm individual slices in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. For best results, use a low power setting to prevent the cake from becoming tough or rubbery. Serve with a small drizzle of extra caramel sauce to restore its original moistness and enhance the flavor.

Delicious Pairing Ideas for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

• Pair with Rich Vanilla Bourbon: A smooth bourbon like Maker's Mark complements the cake's buttery sweetness and enhances the caramel notes, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Match with Creamy Salted Caramel Latte: The coffee's warmth and caramel undertones perfectly highlight the cake's rich flavor profile, balancing the sweetness with a robust coffee essence.
• Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: A cold, creamy scoop provides a delightful temperature contrast and amplifies the cake's buttery texture, creating a decadent dessert combination.

Tasty Variations on Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

• Chocolate Caramel Decadence: Replace vanilla extract with dark cocoa powder and add chocolate chips to the batter. Drizzle melted chocolate over the caramel sauce for extra richness.
• Nutty Crunch Sensation: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the cake batter. Sprinkle toasted nuts on top after pouring the caramel sauce for added texture and depth.
• Espresso Salted Caramel Fusion: Incorporate strong brewed coffee into the batter and add a teaspoon of espresso powder. Top with a coffee-infused caramel sauce for a bold, sophisticated flavor profile.
• Coconut Tropical Remix: Mix shredded coconut into the cake batter and replace vanilla with coconut extract. Garnish with toasted coconut flakes and a light coconut-caramel drizzle for a tropical twist.

Why You’ll Love Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

• Richly Indulgent Flavor Explosion: Salted caramel creates a perfect balance of sweet and salty, transforming an ordinary butter cake into a decadent dessert that dances on your taste buds.
• Effortlessly Elegant Baking Method: The simple one-bowl mixing technique and straightforward sauce make this cake surprisingly easy to prepare, even for novice bakers looking to impress.
• Moisture-Packed Texture Delight: The buttermilk and butter combination ensures an incredibly moist, tender crumb that stays soft and luscious, guaranteeing each slice melts in your mouth with pure comfort.
• Quick Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Ready in under 90 minutes from start to finish, this cake serves a dozen people and works perfectly for potlucks, family gatherings, or weekend treat moments.

Key Ingredients for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

• All-Purpose Flour: Classic baking staple with perfect texture for a tender cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft cake structure.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness.
• Baking Powder: Helps cake rise and create a light, fluffy texture.
• Baking Soda: Assists in achieving proper cake leavening.

• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tangy flavor, helps activate leavening agents.
• Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender crumb to the cake.
• Vanilla Extract: Gives warm, deep flavor complexity.
• Large Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and richness.

• Granulated Sugar: Creates sweet caramel-like sauce base.
• Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and smooth texture to the sauce.
• Water: Helps dissolve sugar and create sauce consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances sauces overall flavor profile.

Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Salted caramel Kentucky butter cake melts hearts with its rich, moist crumb and silky caramel glaze. Southern charm meets indulgent sweetness in this irresistible dessert that guarantees smiles around your table.

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Ingredients

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Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup butter (room temperature)
• 4 large eggs
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Sauce Ingredients:

• ¾ cup sugar
• ⅓ cup butter
• 3 tablespoons water
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

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Instructions

1. Meticulously grease a 10-inch (25.4 centimeters) Bundt pan with butter and dust with all-purpose flour, ensuring complete coverage to prevent sticking.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a spacious mixing bowl: sift all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, kosher salt, baking powder, and baking soda until uniformly blended.
3. Create a smooth batter by incorporating room-temperature buttermilk, unsalted butter, pure vanilla extract, and large eggs. Initially mix on low speed until ingredients are moistened, then increase to medium speed and beat consistently for 3 minutes until silky and well-integrated.
4. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared Bundt pan, spreading evenly with a spatula. Place in a preheated oven at 325°F (163°C) and bake for 55-65 minutes, periodically checking doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center – it should emerge without raw batter.
5. While cake is warming, craft the decadent sauce by gently melting granulated sugar, unsalted butter, water, and vanilla extract in a small saucepan over low heat. Continuously stir until ingredients merge into a smooth, glossy consistency without allowing the mixture to boil.
6. Once cake has slightly cooled, use a slender skewer to create multiple punctures across the surface, allowing maximum sauce absorption.
7. Generously pour the warm caramel sauce over the cake, ensuring it seeps into the created holes and coats the entire surface. Allow the cake to rest and absorb the sauce completely before serving.

Notes

• Discover a decadent dessert that transforms a classic Kentucky butter cake into a caramel lover’s dream.
• This recipe elevates the traditional cake with a rich, salted caramel sauce that penetrates every inch of the tender crumb.
• Buttermilk ensures an incredibly moist texture, creating a velvety backdrop for the sweet-salty caramel glaze.
• Poke holes strategically allow the warm sauce to seep deeply, guaranteeing maximum flavor in every single bite.
• Serving this cake brings instant comfort, with its luxurious sauce creating a mesmerizing golden sheen that beckons dessert enthusiasts.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 160mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 10g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 48g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 4g
• Cholesterol: 75mg