Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

No photo description available.

Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake: A Rich Southern Classic with a Decadent Twist

Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is a show-stopping dessert that combines the dense, buttery richness of a traditional Kentucky butter cake with a luxurious salted caramel finish. This cake is famous for its tender crumb and signature butter sauce that soaks into the cake while it’s still warm, creating incredible moisture and flavor. The salted caramel elevates it even further, adding a deep sweetness balanced by a touch of salt.

Perfect for celebrations, holidays, or anytime you want a truly indulgent dessert, this cake looks elegant yet is surprisingly simple to make.

What Makes This Cake Special

Ultra-moist texture: Warm butter sauce absorbs into the cake.
Rich buttery flavor: A hallmark of Kentucky butter cake.
Salted caramel upgrade: Adds depth and a sweet-salty contrast.
Simple technique: No fancy equipment required.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Cake

3 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup buttermilk
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Butter Sauce

¾ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Salted Caramel Topping

½ cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
½ teaspoon flaky sea salt (adjust to taste)

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease a Bundt pan generously with butter, making sure to coat all the crevices, then lightly dust with flour. This helps the cake release cleanly after baking.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Mixing these first ensures the leavening agents are evenly distributed.