If you’re looking for a cake that’s pure buttery bliss with a rich, caramelized flavor, this Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is a must-try. Imagine a soft, moist cake drenched in a sweet butter glaze that seeps into every bite—then topped with a luxurious salted caramel drizzle. It’s indulgent, irresistible, and trust me, you’re going to love this!

Why You’ll Love This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

Unbelievably Moist & Buttery – This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is soaked in a sweet butter glaze that keeps it soft, tender, and rich with flavor. Every bite melts in your mouth!
Perfectly Balanced Sweet & Salty Flavors – The deep, caramelized notes combined with a luxurious salted caramel drizzle create the ultimate contrast of sweetness and a touch of salt.
Easy Yet Impressive – Even though this moist butter cake looks fancy, it’s simple to make with basic ingredients. You don’t need any special techniques to get that perfect buttery texture!
A Classic with a Twist – While a traditional Kentucky butter cake is already irresistible, adding homemade salted caramel takes it to a whole new level of indulgence.
Great for Any Occasion – Whether you need a holiday dessert, a birthday cake, or just a sweet treat to satisfy your cravings, this buttery caramel cake is always a hit.
Tastes Better the Next Day – The salted caramel Kentucky butter cake develops even richer flavors overnight—perfect for make-ahead desserts.

Ingredients for the Best Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

A top-down view of ingredients for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake, featuring flour, sugar, butter, eggs, buttermilk, vanilla, and caramel sauce on a rustic wooden surface.

To make this Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake, you’ll need:

All-Purpose Flour – The base of the cake, giving it structure.
Baking Powder & Baking Soda – Helps the cake rise to fluffy perfection.
Salt – Brings out the flavors and helps balance any sweetness.
Butter – The star of the show! Adds richness and creates that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Granulated Sugar – Adds sweetness to the cake while keeping it moist.
Eggs – Adds structure and makes the cake light and fluffy.
Buttermilk – Keeps the cake extra moist and adds a slight tang.
Vanilla Extract – Brings warmth and depth to the flavor.
Brown Sugar – Used in the butter glaze for a deep caramel-like sweetness.
Heavy Cream – Essential for the silky salted caramel drizzle.
Sea Salt – The key ingredient for that perfect sweet-salty contrast!

Note: The full ingredient measurements are listed in the recipe card below!

Example: If you love rich, buttery desserts, you should also try my Caramel Rice Cakes for another moist and flavorful treat!

How to Make Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake Step by Step

Step 1: Prepare the Cake Batter

Set your oven to 325°F (163°C) and prepare a bundt pan by greasing and flouring it to prevent sticking. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, whisking them together evenly.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This process is crucial for creating a soft and tender texture.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Buttermilk

Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract, then gradually alternate between adding the dry ingredients and buttermilk, stirring just until incorporated.

Step 4: Bake the Cake

Transfer the batter to the greased bundt pan and bake for 55-60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 5: Make the Butter Glaze

While the cake is baking, prepare the signature butter glaze. In a saucepan, melt butter, then add sugar and vanilla. Let it simmer for a few minutes, stirring constantly.

Step 6: Soak the Cake with the Butter Glaze

Once the cake is out of the oven, poke holes all over using a skewer. Slowly pour the warm butter glaze over the cake, letting it soak in. This is where the magic happens!

Step 7: Make the Salted Caramel Drizzle

In another saucepan, melt brown sugar and butter until bubbling. Stir in heavy cream and a pinch of sea salt, then let it cool slightly.

Step 8: Drizzle and Serve

Once the cake is fully cooled, drizzle generously with salted caramel. Slice, serve, and watch it disappear!

Pro Tips for the Perfect Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

Use High-Quality Butter for the Best Flavor – Since Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is all about rich, buttery goodness, using real, high-quality butter makes a huge difference in taste and texture.
Avoid overmixing the batter, as it can result in a dense cake rather than a light and moist texture. Mix only until the ingredients are fully incorporated to maintain a soft and tender crumb.
Generously Grease the Bundt Pan – A well-buttered and floured pan ensures your cake comes out clean with those beautiful ridges intact. Nothing’s worse than a cake sticking to the pan!
Let the Butter Glaze Soak In – The sweet butter glaze is the key to a super moist Kentucky butter cake. Pour it over the cake while it’s still warm, allowing it to fully absorb and enhance the flavor.
Make the Caramel Drizzle Ahead of Time – The salted caramel drizzle thickens as it cools, making it easier to pour over the cake without being too runny.
Adjust the Salt for the Perfect Balance – If you love a strong sweet-salty contrast, sprinkle a little extra flaky sea salt over the buttery caramel drizzle for extra depth of flavor.
Cool Completely Before Serving – While it’s tempting to dive in, letting your moist butter cake cool ensures the glaze fully sets and the caramel drizzle stays beautifully in place.
Tastes Even Better the Next Day – This buttery caramel cake develops even deeper flavors overnight, making it a great make-ahead dessert.

How to Serve Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

A slice of Kentucky butter cake with salted caramel, served with vanilla ice cream and a fork on the side.

This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is already a showstopper on its own, but here are a few ways to make it even more irresistible:

Warm with Extra Caramel Drizzle – Heat up a slice for a few seconds and pour over some extra buttery caramel drizzle for a gooey, indulgent bite.
Pair with a Scoop of Vanilla Ice Cream – The rich, buttery cake pairs beautifully with cold, creamy vanilla ice cream, balancing the flavors perfectly.
Top with Fresh Whipped Cream – A dollop of homemade whipped cream adds a light, airy contrast to the dense, moist butter cake.
Sprinkle with Flaky Sea Salt – If you love a strong sweet and salty contrast, add a pinch of flaky sea salt over the salted caramel drizzle for an elevated gourmet touch.
Serve with Coffee or Tea – A slice of this Kentucky butter cake is the perfect companion to a warm cup of coffee, espresso, or black tea. The caramelized flavors pair beautifully with a bold brew.
Turn It into a Layered Dessert – Crumble pieces of the buttery cake into a glass, layer it with whipped cream, and drizzle it with sweet caramel sauce for an easy trifle-style treat.
Pair with Toasted Nuts – Sprinkle toasted pecans or almonds over the top for a nutty crunch that complements the buttery caramel flavor.
Enjoy It Cold for a Different Texture – While this moist butter cake is delicious warm, chilling it in the fridge makes the caramel drizzle thicken and gives the cake a firmer texture, almost like a caramel pound cake.

No matter how you serve it, this buttery caramel cake is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Just grab a fork and get ready to indulge!

Make Ahead & Storage Tips for Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

Storing Leftovers

Store the cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep it fresh.
Store in the refrigerator for up to a week, but let it sit at room temp before serving.

Freezing

Wrap individual slices or the whole cake in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Thaw overnight in the fridge and warm up slightly before serving.

Reheating

Microwave slices for 10-15 seconds for a fresh-from-the-oven feel.
Reheat in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for approximately 10 minutes.

FAQs About Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

Can I make this cake without a bundt pan?

Yes! While a bundt pan gives this Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake its classic shape and beautiful ridges, you can absolutely use a 9×13-inch pan or even two 8-inch round cake pans. Remember that baking times may vary, so start checking for doneness around the 40-45 minute mark. The texture will still be moist and buttery, but you won’t get the same golden crust that a bundt pan creates.

Can I use store-bought caramel sauce?

Absolutely! If you’re short on time, a high-quality salted caramel sauce works just fine. However, homemade buttery caramel drizzle has richer, deeper caramelized flavors and allows you to adjust the saltiness to your liking. If using store-bought, warm it slightly before drizzling for a smooth, pourable consistency.

Conclusion

This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is the ultimate buttery caramel cake, soaked in a sweet butter glaze and finished with a luxurious salted caramel drizzle. Whether you’re making it for a holiday, birthday, or weekend dessert, this moist butter cake will be a showstopper.

Trust me, once you taste this cake, you’ll make it again and again!

Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake – 1 Perfect Indulgence!

Author: Chef Rory
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
Yield: 12 servings
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is the ultimate buttery, rich, and moist dessert with a hint of caramel goodness in every bite. A classic Kentucky butter cake gets an irresistible upgrade with a homemade salted caramel glaze that soaks into the cake, creating an incredibly soft and flavorful texture. The buttery vanilla cake, combined with the sweet-salty caramel, makes it perfect for any occasion. Trust me, this one’s a game-changer!

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare
Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In another bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This helps create a tender crumb.
Add the Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract, ensuring each ingredient is fully incorporated.
Incorporate the Buttermilk and Dry Ingredients
Alternately add the dry ingredients and buttermilk to the batter, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined—don’t overmix!
Bake the Cake
Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan. Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
Prepare the Butter Glaze
While the cake is baking, melt butter in a saucepan. Add sugar, water, and vanilla extract. Cook until the sugar dissolves completely.
Soak the Cake
Once the cake is out of the oven, poke small holes all over it with a skewer. Pour the warm butter glaze over the cake while it’s still in the pan, letting it soak in.
Make the Salted Caramel Sauce
In a saucepan, melt sugar over medium heat until it turns amber. Stir in the butter, then slowly pour in the cream, whisking constantly. Finish with a pinch of salt.
Cool, Serve, and Enjoy!
Invert the cake onto a plate and drizzle generously with the salted caramel sauce. Let it cool slightly before slicing and serving.

Notes

Use room-temperature ingredients – This helps create a smooth batter and even baking.
Grease the bundt pan well – The butter glaze soaks in better when the cake releases cleanly.
Let the cake rest – Allow it to absorb the butter glaze before removing from the pan.
For deeper caramel flavor – Let the sugar caramelize to a deep amber before adding the butter and cream.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 60 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American