Kentucky Butter Cake

What could be a better dessert for your derby party than liquor soaked butter cake? With the derby quickly approaching this weekend you know preparations at Churchill Downs are well under way. The horses are probably being fine-tuned, bathed, brushed and whatever else they need. The jockeys are trying to mentally prepare. And every good southern woman (or any woman for that matter) attending is making certain that she has the most perfect hat!


Oh I have dreamed many years of attending the derby…not necessarily for the races but oh my goodness any excuse to wear an over the top hat is the place for me! Just ask my momma as a kid I always insisted in having a hat for Easter! I would love to be invited to some British wedding just to have an excuse to wear an amazing hat! Plus I think I could really get in to betting on racing animals.

Anyway I digress this cake is rich, luscious and very buttery. Oh goodness I can taste it now. This is one of my momma’s tried and true recipes that never get turned down. The cake only gets better the longer the butter sauce soaks in.

In addition to your Kentucky Hot Browns and Mint Juleps give this recipe a go for your derby party or any party for that matter!

Kentucky Butter Cake

1 Cup Butter Softened

2 Cups Sugar

4 Eggs

1 Cup Buttermilk

2 tsp Vanilla

3 Cups Flour

1 tsp Baking Powder

1 tsp Salt

½ tsp Baking Soda

Grease bottom only of a 10in tube pan. In a large mixing bowl cream butter. Gradually add sugar; continue creaming until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time beating well after each. Add remaining ingredients. Blend on a low speed until moistened, beat 2 additional minutes on medium. Pour batter into the pan. Bake at 325 for 60 to 65 minutes.

Butter Sauce

1 cup sugar

¼ cup water

½ cup butter

1 tablespoon of rum flavoring (or bourbon)

Prepare butter sauce in the last 15-20 minutes of baking of the cake. In a small sauce pan combine butter, sugar and water beat until melted do not boil. Add liquor. When the cake comes out of the oven prick the top with a fork and pour warm sauce over the cake. Cool cake completely before removing from the pan.