Salted caramel Kentucky butter cake

 

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

If comfort had a flavor, it would taste a lot like Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake—rich, buttery, moist, and just the right amount of sweet. This Southern staple has long held its place at church potlucks, family reunions, and cozy Sunday dinners. But with the addition of salted caramel, this already iconic dessert gets a modern, crave-worthy upgrade that will leave everyone asking for seconds (and the recipe).

So, what makes this cake so unforgettable?

Let’s take a bite out of this indulgent masterpiece.

---

🍰 What Is a Kentucky Butter Cake?

At its heart, a Kentucky Butter Cake is a dense, rich vanilla pound cake that’s soaked in a buttery, sugary glaze while still warm—infusing it with deep flavor and an ultra-moist texture. It’s one of those deceptively simple cakes where every ingredient shines and every bite feels like home.

The beauty of it? It’s unfussy, make-ahead friendly, and gets better with time.

Now, enter: Salted Caramel—a sweet-salty topping that transforms this traditional favorite into a dessert worthy of the spotlight at any celebration.

---

🧈 Why Salted Caramel Takes It Over the Top

Salted caramel doesn’t just add sweetness—it adds complexity. The buttery base of the cake pairs perfectly with the rich, golden notes of caramel, while the salt cuts through the sweetness, leaving you with a perfectly balanced bite.

It’s the kind of flavor profile that feels decadent yet nostalgic, indulgent without being over-the-top.

---

🥄 Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s what goes into this sweet Southern showstopper:

For the Cake:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 cup butter, softened

• 4 eggs

• 1 cup buttermilk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Butter Glaze:

• 3/4 cup sugar

• 1/3 cup butter

• 3 tablespoons water

• 2 teaspoons vanilla

For the Salted Caramel Topping:

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 1/2 cup heavy cream

• 1 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

---

👩‍🍳 How to Make It

1. Bake the Cake

• Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease and flour a bundt pan thoroughly.

• In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

• Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each.

• In a separate bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients.

• Alternate adding the dry mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with dry. Stir in vanilla.

• Pour into prepared bundt pan and bake for 55–65 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

2. Soak It in Butter Glaze

• While the cake bakes, make the glaze: melt butter, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Stir in vanilla.

• As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, poke holes all over the top (still in the pan!) with a skewer.

• Slowly pour the warm glaze over the cake, allowing it to soak in.

• Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack or serving plate.

3. Drizzle with Salted Caramel

• In a heavy saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it melts into an amber-colored liquid.

• Stir in butter until melted and combined.

• Slowly pour in cream (be careful—it will bubble), then stir in salt.

• Let cool slightly, then drizzle generously over the cooled cake.

---

🎉 Serving Suggestions

• Serve warm with extra caramel on the side

• Add a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a true Southern dessert experience

• Sprinkle with crushed pecans or flaky sea salt for a little extra crunch and contrast

---

💬 Why You'll Love It

• Make-ahead magic: The flavors deepen over time, making it perfect to bake a day in advance.

• Crowd-pleasing: Whether for holidays, birthdays, or potlucks, this cake is guaranteed to disappear quickly.

• Comfort in every bite: It’s sweet, salty, rich, moist, and nostalgic all at once.

---

🏆 Final Thoughts: A Southern Classic, Reimagined

The Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is proof that sometimes, a simple twist on a classic is all it takes to create something unforgettable. With its tender crumb, buttery richness, and irresistible caramel drizzle, it’s the kind of dessert that earns a permanent spot in your recipe rotation—and maybe even a place in your family tradition.

---

Ready to make dessert history? Fire up your oven and drizzle generously.