How to Make Best Kentucky Butter Cake at Home

Published On: April 4, 2025

If you’re craving a classic cake that’s moist, rich, and full of buttery vanilla flavour, this Butter Vanilla Bundt Cake is perfect for you. With a soft crumb and a sweet glaze that soaks deep into the cake, this dessert is pure comfort. It’s easy to make, stays moist for days, and is ideal for celebrations, potlucks, or weekend treats.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup whole milk
1 tablespoon white vinegar
4 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the butter glaze:
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons brandy (or water as a substitute)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make the Butter Vanilla Cake

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pan

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch Bundt pan or spray it generously with baking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar together for about 5 minutes until light and fluffy.

Step 4: Prepare the Milk Mixture

In a separate bowl or measuring cup, mix the milk and vinegar to make a quick buttermilk substitute. Let it sit while you move to the next step.

Step 5: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs to the creamed mixture, one at a time, mixing just until combined. Stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Alternately add the flour mixture and the milk mixture to the butter mixture in small parts, mixing gently just until combined. Scrape the bowl as needed.

Step 7: Bake the Cake

Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan. Bake for 50–60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not remove the cake from the pan yet.

How to Make the Butter Glaze

In the last few minutes of baking, prepare the glaze:

In a small saucepan, combine the sugar, butter, and brandy (or water).
Heat over medium-low, stirring often until the sugar fully dissolves. Do not let it boil.
Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Set aside ⅓ cup of the glaze for later.

Soak and Glaze the Cake

Step 1: Once the cake is out of the oven, poke small holes all over using a chopstick or bamboo skewer.

Step 2: Slowly pour the warm glaze over the cake while it’s still in the pan. Let it sit on a wire rack for 30 minutes.

Step 3: After 30 minutes, carefully invert the cake onto a serving plate. Brush the reserved glaze over the top for a shiny finish.

Helpful Tips

Grease the pan well—use butter and flour or a good baking spray like Baker’s Joy.
Avoid overmixing the batter to keep the cake tender.
Let the cake rest exactly 30 minutes before removing it from the pan.
If using brandy, keep it away from open flames—alcohol is flammable.

This Butter Vanilla Bundt Cake is everything a classic dessert should be—rich, buttery, moist, and sweet. The homemade glaze soaks into the cake to add flavour and keep it soft for days. Whether served plain, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, or a cup of tea, this cake is sure to become a go-to favourite in your recipe collection.