Kentucky Butter Cake Recipe: A Rich and Buttery Delight for Every Occasion

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C).
Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan thoroughly. Ensure all the grooves of the Bundt pan are coated, as this will help the cake release easily.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

In a separate large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until light and fluffy. This step helps to incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter cake.

Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next.
Add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the buttermilk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed after each addition until just combined.
Avoid overmixing the batter, as this can make the cake dense.

Pour the batter evenly into the prepared Bundt pan and smooth the top.
Bake for 60-70 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The top should be golden and firm to the touch.

While the cake is baking, prepare the butter sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the sugar and water and cook until the sugar is fully dissolved (about 2-3 minutes).
Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.

Once the cake is done, allow it to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes.
Using a skewer or toothpick, poke holes all over the cake while it’s still in the pan. This will allow the butter sauce to seep into the cake.
Slowly pour the butter sauce over the cake, making sure it drips into the holes and covers the surface. Let the cake sit for another 15-20 minutes in the pan to absorb the sauce.

Invert the cake onto a serving plate. Allow the cake to cool completely before slicing. The butter sauce will have soaked into the cake, creating a moist, flavorful dessert.

Room Temperature Ingredients: Use room-temperature eggs, butter, and buttermilk to ensure the ingredients blend together smoothly.
Grease the Pan Well: Bundt cakes can sometimes stick to the pan, so make sure to thoroughly grease and flour every nook and cranny of your Bundt pan.
Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the cake as it nears the end of baking time. Overbaking can dry out the cake, which you don’t want in a recipe like this.
Let the Cake Absorb the Sauce: Allow the cake to fully absorb the butter sauce by giving it time to sit in the pan after pouring the sauce. This will make sure the cake is moist throughout.

Dust the cake with powdered sugar or drizzle with a simple vanilla glaze for an extra touch of sweetness.
Serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream for a perfect dessert pairing.
Kentucky Butter Cake is excellent as a stand-alone treat, but you can also add a side of fresh berries for a refreshing twist.