Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Whiskey Glaze Recipe

If you’ve ever dreamed of a cake that feels like a warm hug wrapped in a velvet blanket, then the Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Whiskey Glaze Recipe is exactly what you need to make your dessert dreams come true. This moist, buttery buttermilk bundt cake is elevated to legendary status by the boozy sweetness of a rich bourbon whiskey glaze that soaks in beautifully. Each bite carries the perfect balance of tender crumb and deep, caramelized flavors with a spirited kiss from Kentucky’s finest bourbon. It’s a showstopper that’s deceptively simple to bake but wildly impressive to serve.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To create this classic southern dessert, you’ll want to gather a small but essential set of ingredients that each play a crucial role—whether it’s enhancing flavor, adding moisture, or contributing to that irresistible golden color and texture.

• Cake flour: Ensures a tender, soft crumb for your bundt cake without being dense.
• Baking powder and baking soda: Act as leavening agents, making the cake light and fluffy.
• Kosher salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors in the cake.
• Buttermilk: Adds moisture and tang, creating a tender crumb texture that melts in your mouth.
• Bourbon whiskey: The star ingredient that imparts its unmistakable warmth and flavor both inside the batter and the glaze.
• Pure vanilla extract: Brings greater depth and complexity to the cake’s flavor profile.
• Unsalted butter: The backbone of the cake’s richness, helping make it luxuriously moist and buttery.
• Granulated sugar and brown sugar: Work together to add sweetness and a slight caramel undertone.
• Large eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to a light, airy texture.
• For the glaze – extra unsalted butter, bourbon, and granulated sugar: Combine to form that sticky, shiny, decadent whiskey glaze that transforms the cake from delicious to divine.

How to Make Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Whiskey Glaze Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Ingredients and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and positioning a rack in the center. This ensures even baking right from the start. Lightly grease a 10-cup bundt pan with cooking spray so your cake will release effortlessly after baking. Having your ingredients at room temperature—especially the butter, eggs, and buttermilk—makes mixing smoother and helps achieve that creamy batter consistency.

Step 2: Combine the Dry and Wet Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and kosher salt. This dry mix forms the structural backbone of your cake, ensuring each slice holds together perfectly. In a separate container, whisk the buttermilk, bourbon whiskey, and vanilla extract; these liquids will give moisture, tang, and that signature boozy flavor throughout the cake. You’re laying the foundation for flavor and texture here.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the room temperature butter with both granulated and brown sugars on medium-high speed until the mixture is light, fluffy, and has doubled in volume—about 3 to 5 minutes. This creaming step is essential for trapping air, which results in a tender crumb. Don’t forget to scrape down the sides to combine everything evenly.

Step 4: Incorporate Eggs and Alternately Add Dry and Wet Ingredients

Lower the mixer speed to low and add the eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. This slow addition helps maintain the batter’s structure. Then alternate adding the dry flour mixture in three parts with the bourbon-buttermilk mixture in two parts, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix carefully until just combined to keep your cake light and tender.

Step 5: Bake Your Bundt Cake

Pour the batter into your prepared bundt pan, smoothing the top gently. Place the pan on a parchment-lined half sheet pan to catch any drips during baking. Bake for approximately 50 to 55 minutes, or until a skewer inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. Afterward, let the cake cool in the pan on a wire rack for 10 minutes before moving on to glazing.

Step 6: Make the Bourbon Butter Glaze

While the cake cools, melt the butter in a small heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, whisk in the bourbon whiskey until combined, then remove from heat and add the granulated sugar, stirring until just mixed. The glaze might seem thick and sugary at first, but it will soak perfectly into the cake, adding that intoxicating shine and flavor.

Step 7: Glaze the Cake

Using a wooden skewer, poke holes all over the bottom of the cake (still in the pan) to allow the glaze to seep deep into the cake’s crumb. Brush half the bourbon butter glaze evenly over the bottom. Then, invert the cake onto a serving plate or second wire rack so the glazed side is now at the bottom, and carefully remove the bundt pan. Brush the remaining glaze on top for a glossy, luscious finish. This glaze is what truly elevates this cake from everyday to extraordinary.

How to Serve Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Whiskey Glaze Recipe

Garnishes

A simple dusting of powdered sugar or a few pecan halves scattered on top adds a lovely visual contrast and a little crunch. Fresh berries or thin slices of orange zest can also brighten the plate and provide a fresh counterpoint to the rich, buttery sweetness of the cake.

Side Dishes

This cake shines all on its own but pairs beautifully with lightly whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. If you want to keep the boozy theme going, a glass of neat bourbon or a bourbon-infused coffee makes an inspired companion for this dessert.

Creative Ways to Present

For a stunning presentation, serve individual slices on rustic wooden boards with sprigs of fresh mint or rosemary. Alternatively, drizzle extra whiskey glaze over the plate beside the slice, creating an elegant canvas of flavor. If hosting a party, consider slicing the cake into small squares served on cocktail picks for a charming bite-sized treat.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

The assembled Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Whiskey Glaze Recipe can be stored at room temperature under a cake dome or inverted bowl for up to three days. To keep the cut edges moist and prevent drying, press a piece of plastic wrap gently against exposed surfaces.

Freezing

If you want to make this cake in advance for a special occasion, it freezes very well. Wrap the cooled, unglazed cake tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to two months. When ready to serve, thaw overnight at room temperature and then apply the glaze fresh for that unbeatable, just-baked allure.

Reheating

To enjoy the cake warm, pop individual slices in the microwave for about 15 to 20 seconds, just until tender and fragrant. This small step refreshes the glaze’s shine and helps the bourbon aroma bloom again before serving.

FAQs

Can I use a different type of whiskey in this cake?

Absolutely! While bourbon gives a classic sweet and oaky flavor, you can experiment with rye or Irish whiskey to impart different nuances. Just keep the amount the same to maintain the perfect balance.

What if I don’t have a bundt pan?

You can use a 9×13-inch pan, but the baking time might be slightly shorter—start checking around 40 minutes—and the cake will be thicker and less ornate. Just be sure to grease the pan well.

How do I know when the cake is fully baked?

The most reliable way is to insert a toothpick or skewer into the center of the cake. When it comes out with only a few moist crumbs clinging to it, the cake is perfectly baked and ready to cool.

Can I make this cake gluten-free?

Substituting cake flour with a gluten-free blend is possible, but it may affect the texture slightly. Look for a blend designed for cakes and follow any additional instructions the brand provides for best results.

Is the glaze very sweet?

The glaze has a lovely sugary richness balanced by the bourbon’s warmth. It’s not overly sweet, especially when combined with the buttery cake, but if you prefer less sweetness, you can reduce the sugar slightly without sacrificing flavor.

Final Thoughts

This Kentucky Bourbon Butter Cake with Whiskey Glaze Recipe is a celebration of southern baking tradition and bold, boozy flavors wrapped in one irresistibly moist cake. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a special gathering, or a treat-yourself moment, this cake has a way of making any occasion feel extra special. Give it a try and prepare to amaze yourself and your guests with each blissful bite!

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