Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake – A Decadent Southern-Inspired Classic
Few desserts feel as indulgent and comforting as a Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake. This cake is rich, buttery, dense yet tender, and soaked with a warm caramel butter drizzle that seeps into every bite.
Inspired by the classic Kentucky Butter Cake, this version is elevated with caramel notes and a touch of salt that perfectly balances the sweetness. It’s the kind of cake that feels at home on a holiday table, at a family gathering, or simply served with coffee on a quiet afternoon.
What makes this cake truly special is its texture and depth of flavor. The buttery crumb melts in your mouth, while the caramel drizzle adds moisture and richness without being overly heavy.
Finished with an optional homemade salted caramel topping, this dessert feels bakery-worthy while still being easy enough to make at home. If you’re looking for a show-stopping Bundt cake that’s guaranteed to impress, this is it.
Why This Recipe Works
This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake works so beautifully because it relies on balance and technique rather than complicated steps. The combination of butter, sugar, and eggs creates a rich base, while the coffee creamer or buttermilk adds tenderness and subtle tang. The cream of tartar works alongside baking soda to give the cake a gentle lift, resulting in a dense but soft crumb that holds up well to soaking.
The caramel butter drizzle is applied while the cake is still warm, which allows it to penetrate deeply rather than just sitting on the surface. This step ensures every slice is moist and flavorful all the way through.
The optional salted caramel topping adds contrast—sweet, salty, and slightly bitter caramel notes that enhance the buttery cake rather than overpower it. Together, these elements create a cake that tastes even better the next day, making it perfect for preparing ahead of time.
What You’ll Need For This Recipe
To make this cake successfully, you’ll need a mix of pantry staples and a few rich ingredients that give the cake its signature flavor. A 10-inch Bundt pan is essential for even baking and that classic presentation.
You’ll also need mixing bowls, a hand or stand mixer, a saucepan for the drizzle and caramel topping, and a wooden skewer for soaking the cake.
Key ingredients include all-purpose flour for structure, granulated sugar for sweetness, and plenty of butter for richness. The caramel-flavored coffee creamer adds depth and enhances the caramel notes, though buttermilk can be substituted if needed. Eggs provide structure and richness, while vanilla ties all the flavors together. For the topping, sugar, cream, butter, and salt come together to create a luxurious salted caramel that takes this cake over the top.
Ingredient Breakdown: Cake Base
The cake base is where the magic begins. Flour provides structure, while sugar not only sweetens but also contributes to the cake’s tender crumb.
Salt is crucial—it enhances all the flavors and prevents the cake from tasting flat. Baking powder and baking soda work together with cream of tartar to give just enough rise without making the cake fluffy like a sponge.
Butter is the star here, giving the cake its signature richness. Using softened butter ensures it creams smoothly with the sugar and blends easily with the other ingredients. Eggs at room temperature incorporate more evenly, resulting in a smoother batter.
The caramel-flavored coffee creamer or buttermilk adds moisture and a subtle tang that balances the sweetness and enhances the caramel profile.
Ingredient Breakdown: Caramel Butter Drizzle
The caramel butter drizzle is what transforms this from a simple Bundt cake into something truly memorable. Sugar melts into the butter and creamer, creating a smooth, rich sauce that’s sweet but not overpowering. Vanilla adds warmth and depth, rounding out the caramel flavor.
This drizzle is intentionally simple and quick to make. It doesn’t require candy thermometers or precise temperatures, making it approachable even for beginner bakers. Applied warm, it seeps into the cake and creates pockets of caramelized sweetness throughout.
Ingredient Breakdown: Optional Salted Caramel Topping
The homemade salted caramel topping is optional, but highly recommended if you want a bakery-style finish. Sugar and water are cooked until deeply amber, creating a complex caramel flavor. Cream adds richness and smoothness, while butter gives the caramel body and shine.
The salt is what truly elevates this topping. It cuts through the sweetness and enhances the caramel’s natural bitterness, creating a balanced, addictive sauce. Drizzled over the finished cake, it adds visual appeal and an extra layer of indulgence.
How To Make This Recipe: Preparing the Batter
Begin by preheating your oven to 325°F (165°C) and thoroughly greasing and flouring a 10-inch Bundt pan. This step is crucial, as the caramel drizzle makes the cake more prone to sticking. In a large bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, salt, cream of tartar, baking powder, and baking soda. Sifting ensures the dry ingredients are evenly distributed and prevents lumps.
In a separate bowl, cream together the butter, coffee creamer, vanilla, and eggs until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, beating at a medium speed for about three minutes. This extended mixing time helps develop a smooth, cohesive batter that bakes evenly.
How To Make This Recipe: Baking the Cake
Once the batter is ready, pour it evenly into the prepared Bundt pan. Gently tap the pan on the counter to release any air bubbles. Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 50–55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Avoid opening the oven door too early, as this can cause the cake to sink. The finished cake should be golden brown, with a firm top that springs back lightly when touched.
How To Make This Recipe: Caramel Butter Drizzle & Soaking
While the cake bakes, prepare the caramel butter drizzle. Combine sugar, butter, coffee creamer, and vanilla in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir gently until everything melts into a smooth sauce. Do not allow the mixture to boil, as this can cause it to separate.
Once the cake comes out of the oven, leave it in the pan and use a thin skewer to poke holes all over the surface. Slowly pour the warm caramel butter drizzle over the cake, allowing it to soak in. Let the cake cool completely in the pan before turning it out.
How To Make This Recipe: Optional Salted Caramel Topping
To make the salted caramel topping, combine sugar and water in a deep saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Increase the heat and let the mixture boil without stirring until it turns a deep amber color. Remove from heat and carefully stir in the cream, followed by the butter and salt.
Allow the caramel to cool slightly before transferring it to a serving dish. Drizzle generously over the cooled cake just before serving, or serve it on the side for guests to add as they like.
Tips + Tricks & More For Recipe Success
For best results, make sure all your ingredients are at room temperature before starting. This helps everything blend smoothly and prevents a dense or uneven crumb. Always grease your Bundt pan thoroughly, paying special attention to crevices.
If you prefer a less sweet cake, you can slightly reduce the drizzle or skip the optional topping. For extra flavor, a pinch of espresso powder can be added to the batter to deepen the caramel notes without making the cake taste like coffee. This cake also improves with time, so don’t hesitate to bake it a day ahead.
How To Serve This Cake
This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is best served at room temperature, when the crumb is soft and the caramel flavors are fully developed. Slice with a sharp knife and wipe between cuts for clean edges.
It pairs beautifully with coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk. The richness of the cake makes it satisfying on its own, but it can also be dressed up with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of lightly whipped cream.
Serving Suggestions & Time Overview
For an elegant presentation, drizzle extra salted caramel over the top and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. You can also garnish with chopped pecans or walnuts for added texture. This cake is perfect for holidays, birthdays, potlucks, or any occasion that calls for a comforting yet impressive dessert.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 50–55 minutes
Cooling & Soaking Time: 1–2 hours
Total Time: Approximately 2½ hours