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A golden Kentucky butter cake with salted caramel drizzle, served on a plate with a few slices cut.

Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake – 1 Perfect Indulgence!


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

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!


Ingredients

For the Cake

  • All-purpose flour – The base of the cake, providing structure
  • Baking powder – Helps the cake rise beautifully
  • Baking soda – Works with the baking powder for a perfect texture
  • Salt – Enhances the flavors
  • Unsalted butter – Adds rich, buttery flavor
  • Granulated sugar – Sweetens the cake
  • Eggs – Provide structure and moisture
  • Buttermilk – Keeps the cake tender and moist
  • Vanilla extract – Adds warmth and depth to the flavor

For the Butter Glaze

  • Butter – The star of the glaze, making it ultra-rich
  • Granulated sugar – Sweetens the glaze
  • Water – Helps dissolve the sugar
  • Vanilla extract – Enhances the buttery glaze

For the Salted Caramel Sauce

  • Granulated sugar – Caramelizes into a deep, golden caramel
  • Unsalted butter – Creates a smooth and creamy caramel
  • Heavy cream – Adds richness to the sauce
  • Salt – Brings out the caramel flavors

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

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 450
  • Sugar: 38g
  • Sodium: 210mg
  • Fat: 22g
  • Saturated Fat: 13g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 57g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 85mg

Keywords: Kentucky butter cake, salted caramel cake, butter cake, caramel dessert, moist bundt cake, homemade caramel sauce