Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Salted Caramel Glaze – A Derby Day Delight
Happy Kentucky Derby Day! There’s no better way to celebrate than with a decadent Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake. This semi-homemade dessert is rich, buttery, and infused with bourbon, making it a perfect treat for any Derby party or special occasion. Topped with a luscious salted caramel glaze, this cake is sure to impress!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Semi-Homemade Shortcut – Uses cake mix for a quicker prep.
- Rich Bourbon Flavor – Perfectly infused with a warm, caramelized bourbon glaze.
- Moist & Buttery Texture – The glaze seeps into the cake, making every bite deliciously soft.
- Perfect for Celebrations – A fantastic dessert for Derby Day, holidays, or special gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Cake:
- 2 boxes White Lily vanilla pound cake mix
- 2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter, melted
- 1 1/2 cups water
- 2 eggs (room temperature)
For the Bourbon Glaze:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 cup bourbon
For the Salted Caramel Glaze:
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 2/3 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cake
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, whisk together cake mix, melted butter, water, and eggs until smooth.
- Grease a bundt pan (I used Baker’s Joy) and pour in the batter, spreading evenly.
- Bake for 50-60 minutes. Start checking for doneness at the 50-minute mark.
2. Add the Bourbon Glaze
- While the cake is still hot, use a skewer to poke holes halfway down the cake, ensuring not to go through the bottom.
- In a saucepan, heat butter, sugar, water, and bourbon over medium heat. Stir constantly until the sugar dissolves (DO NOT BOIL).
- Pour the glaze evenly over the cake and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Flip the cake onto a plate while still warm to prevent sticking.
3. Make the Salted Caramel Glaze
- In a medium saucepan, combine butter, brown sugar, heavy cream, and sea salt.
- Heat over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until it begins to boil.
- Continue stirring and boil for 1 minute, then remove from heat.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla, whisking until smooth.
- Pour over the cooled cake and garnish with pecans or extra caramel drizzle.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream.
- Pair with a hot cup of coffee or a bourbon-spiked cocktail.
- Sprinkle with extra sea salt or pecans for added texture.
Storage Tip: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for longer freshness.
Final Thoughts
This Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake is the ultimate celebration dessert, combining rich flavors with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether you’re making it for Derby Day, holidays, or just because, this cake is sure to become a family favorite!
Have you tried this recipe? Let me know in the comments how it turned out!
