By Alexandra EmanuelliView →
SOUTHERN LEGEND
This Kentucky Butter Cake Is My New Favorite Bundt (and I'm a Bundt Fanatic)
★★★★★
5.0 (490)|(2 Reviews)Golden vanilla pound cake soaked in warm melted butter and sugar syrup that forms a crackly sugar crust.
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By Stephanie Burt (Recipe Developer)•Published April 5, 2026
⏱ 1 hr 55 mins
Simply Recipes / Stephanie Burt🔥 380 kcal
WHY MAKE THIS
- The butter glaze penetrates the entire cake, keeping it moist for 7 days.
- The outer shell develops a crackly, candy-like sugar crunch.
SOUTHERN LEGEND
This Kentucky Butter Cake Is My New Favorite Bundt (and I'm a Bundt Fanatic)
Winner of the 1963 Pillsbury Bake-Off: an ultra-moist vanilla pound cake poked with holes fresh from the oven and soaked with a hot butter, sugar, and vanilla glaze that crystallizes into a crisp sugar shell. Difficulty: Easy.
Prep Time20 mins
Cook Time55 mins
Total Time1 hr 55 mins
Servings14 servings
Scale Recipe:
📱Keep Screen Awake While Cooking
Ingredients
- Cake: 3 cups flour, 2 cups sugar, 1 cup butter, 4 eggs, 1 cup buttermilk, 2 tsp vanilla, 1 tsp baking powder
- Butter Glaze: 3/4 cup sugar, 1/3 cup butter, 3 tbsp water, 2 tsp vanilla extract
Directions
1
Bake bundt cake
Cream butter and sugar; beat in eggs, vanilla, buttermilk, and dry ingredients. Bake in 10-cup bundt pan at 325°F for 55–60 minutes.
2
Boil butter glaze
Simmer sugar, butter, and water in saucepan until sugar dissolves; stir in vanilla.
3
Poke holes and soak
Poke deep holes in warm cake with a skewer. Pour hot glaze slowly over cake while still in pan. Let sit 30 minutes, then invert onto platter.
💡 CHEF'S PRO TIPS
- Let the cake absorb the glaze in the pan for 30 minutes before inverting so the glaze sets into the crust.
Nutrition Facts
Per ServingCalories380 kcal
Protein4g
Carbs54g
Total Fat18g
Sodium: 220mg
Fiber: 1g
Sugar: 2g
Community Reviews & Ratings
2 cooks have shared their thoughts on this recipe
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Sarah M.★★★★★
This has completely replaced my normal avocado toast! The beans blend so well you cannot even tell, and I stay full until lunchtime!
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David K.★★★★★
Great trick for adding protein without cooking eggs on busy mornings. Added a pinch of red pepper flakes and lemon zest—delicious.
