Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

🧈🍯 Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake

A Southern classic turned decadent—this ultra-moist, buttery pound cake is soaked in a luscious salted caramel glaze that seeps into every crumb. Perfect with coffee or as a showstopping dessert!

⏲️ Prep Time: 20 mins | 🍳 Bake Time: 1 hour | 🍽️ Servings: 12

📝 Ingredients

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)

• 4 large eggs, room temperature

• 1 cup buttermilk (or whole milk + 1 tbsp vinegar)

• 1 tbsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp baking powder

• ½ tsp baking soda

• ½ tsp salt

For the Salted Caramel Glaze:

• ½ cup unsalted butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 tbsp water

• ¼ cup heavy cream

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tsp flaky sea salt (like Maldon)

👩🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Make the Cake:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a 10-cup Bundt pan.

2. In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

3. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy (~3 mins). Add eggs one at a time, then vanilla.

4. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour.

5. Pour into pan and bake 55–65 mins until a toothpick comes out clean.

2️⃣ Make the Salted Caramel Glaze:

1. In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Add sugar and water; stir just until combined.

2. Cook without stirring until golden amber (~5–7 mins). Remove from heat.

3. Carefully whisk in cream (it will bubble!), then vanilla and salt.

3️⃣ Glaze the Cake:

1. While cake is still warm, poke holes all over with a skewer.

2. Slowly pour ½ of the glaze over the cake, letting it soak in.

3. Let cool 15 mins, then invert onto a plate. Drizzle with remaining glaze.

💡 Pro Tips

✔ Room-temperature ingredients ensure a smooth batter.
✔ Don’t overmix—stop as soon as flour disappears.
✔ Storage: Keeps moist for 3 days at room temp (covered).

🍽️ Serving Ideas

• Top with vanilla ice cream and extra caramel.

• Garnish with toasted pecans for crunch.

• Pair with bourbon-spiked coffee for a Kentucky twist!

Pure buttery, caramelized heaven! Let me know if you’d like a nutty variation (like brown butter pecan). 😍

Variation: Swap 1/4 cup bourbon for 1/4 cup of the buttermilk for an adult upgrade! 🥃