Are you craving a decadent dessert that's surprisingly easy to make? Look no further! This Salted Caramel Kentucky Butter Cake is the perfect blend of rich, buttery cake, luscious caramel, and a sprinkle of salty perfection. It's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, ideal for birthdays, potlucks, or simply satisfying a sweet tooth craving. This recipe offers a delightful homemade cooking experience, perfect for those looking for easy recipes and delicious dishes. Let's get baking!
Ingredients:
For the Cake:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Instructions:
Making the Cake:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. This ensures your cake releases easily.
- Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This step helps distribute the leavening agents evenly.
- Cream Butter & Sugar: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. A stand mixer is ideal, but a hand mixer works too!
- Add Eggs & Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Wet & Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Don't overmix!
- Bake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean. Baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven.
- Cool: Let the cake cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Making the Salted Caramel Sauce:
- Caramelize Sugar: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar and water. Do not stir! Cook, swirling the pan occasionally, until the sugar dissolves and turns a deep amber color. This requires patience and careful watching.
- Add Cream & Butter: Carefully pour in the heavy cream (it will bubble up!). Whisk constantly until smooth. Stir in the butter and salt until melted and incorporated.
- Cool: Let the caramel cool slightly before pouring over the cooled cake.
Assembling the Cake:
- Pour Caramel: Once the cake is completely cool, pour the salted caramel sauce evenly over the top.
- Serve: Slice and serve. Enjoy this easy recipe's delicious result!
Tips & Variations:
- Buttermilk Substitute: If you don't have buttermilk, you can make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of white vinegar or lemon juice to 1 cup of milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
- Chocolate Swirl: Add 1/2 cup of melted dark chocolate chips to the batter for a decadent chocolate swirl.
- Nuts: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the batter for added texture and flavor.
- Different Salt: Experiment with different types of sea salt for varying levels of saltiness. Flaky sea salt is visually appealing.
Nutritional Information (per serving, approximate):
Calories: Around 400-450 (This will vary depending on portion size and ingredients used).
This recipe provides quick dinner ideas, and is a great example of delicious and healthy meals that can be enjoyed as a delightful treat. Enjoy creating this wonderful salted caramel Kentucky butter cake! It's one of the best recipes for a satisfying and memorable dessert experience.