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–+ servings

Kentucky Butter Cake – Soul Food Style

This rich, tender Kentucky butter cake is a soul food classic, featuring a golden crust soaked with a warm vanilla butter glaze.
A true crowd-pleaser, this moist and flavorful cake is perfect for gatherings or whenever you’re craving a comforting homemade dessert.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine Southern
Servings 16

Equipment

  • 12-cup fluted tube pan (Bundt pan)
  • Electric mixer

Ingredients
  

For the Cake:

  • 1 cup butter
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 teaspoon rum extract
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 eggs
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • 1¼ teaspoons salt
  • 1 cup buttermilk

For the Butter Sauce:

  • ¾ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
  • ⅓ cup butter
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 325°F. Lightly grease and flour a 12-cup Bundt or fluted tube pan.
  • In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes very light and fluffy.
  • Mix in the rum and vanilla extracts.
  • Add eggs one at a time, blending well at a low speed after each addition. Continue mixing for about 3 minutes, or until the batter is smooth.
  • In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  • Begin incorporating the dry ingredients into the batter in small portions, alternating with the buttermilk. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing just until combined.
  • Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
  • Bake for 60 to 75 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • While the cake is baking, make the butter sauce. Combine the sugar, water, and butter in a saucepan and heat gently over medium-low, stirring until the butter fully melts.
  • Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
  • Once the cake is out of the oven and still hot, slowly pour the butter sauce over it while it's in the pan so it soaks in.
  • Let the cake absorb the sauce before turning it out of the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • Letting the glaze soak in while the cake is still hot enhances its flavor and moisture.
  • This cake holds up beautifully for a few days and tastes even better the next day.
  • Serve with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a decadent soul food dessert.
Keyword glazed pound cake, moist butter cake, soul food, soul food cake recipe, soul food desserts, southern butter cake
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