If you adore soft, melt-in-your-mouth treats that radiate southern comfort, Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies will completely sweep you off your feet. These cookies take inspiration from the classic butter cake but in a chewy, hand-held form, with a buttery golden base and a dreamy glaze that oozes right into every crevice. Whether you’re baking for a cozy afternoon snack or a special celebration, these cookies promise that sweet, vanilla-kissed magic in every bite. They’re easy to make, universally adored, and a perfect introduction to American baking traditions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of familiar items to make Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies, but each one plays a starring role in flavor, texture, and aroma. Gather these pantry staples and watch them transform into the softest, most luscious cookies you’ll ever taste.
- Unsalted butter, softened: The heartbeat of both the dough and the glaze, creating incomparable richness and tenderness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds that essential sweetness and helps achieve a lightly crisp exterior.
- Eggs: These bind everything together and give your cookies that pillow-soft interior.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla brings out warm, aromatic notes that make every bite more inviting.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone that allows your cookies to hold their beautiful shape.
- Baking powder: Gives a light lift, ensuring the cookies don’t end up dense or heavy.
- Baking soda: Partners with the buttermilk for a subtle, irresistible tang.
- Salt: Just a pinch deepens all those buttery, sweet flavors beautifully.
- Buttermilk: This secret weapon delivers moisture, tenderness, and a hint of classic Southern flavor.
- For the butter glaze: Butter, sugar, water, and vanilla meld into a shiny, sweet blanket for each cookie.
- Optional powdered sugar: For an extra touch of elegance and a snowy, pretty finish.
How to Make Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Sheets
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining your baking sheets with parchment paper. This simple step ensures easy removal and no sticky messes, letting the cookies bake evenly and turn out perfectly golden on the bottom.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer or a strong arm to cream the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like. This is key for a soft, airy crumb that makes Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies so irresistible.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Crack in the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate and ensure a velvety batter. Follow with the vanilla extract, mixing until every bit has blended in and your dough smells as inviting as it looks.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This guarantees that your leaveners are evenly distributed (so no bites of baking soda!) and the cookies bake up with the perfect texture.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry, Adding Buttermilk
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the creamed mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix just until combined, being careful not to overwork the dough—this keeps the cookies soft and tender, exactly how Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies should be.
Step 6: Scoop and Bake
Scoop tablespoon-sized mounds of dough onto your lined baking sheets, leaving about 2 inches between cookies to allow for spreading. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn a delicate golden color—just enough so they’re set but not dry.
Step 7: Make the Butter Glaze
While the cookies bake, make the star glaze. Combine butter, sugar, and water in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and the mixture comes to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat, then add vanilla. The result: a glossy, aromatic glaze ready for drizzling.
Step 8: Glaze and Cool
As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, spoon 1–2 teaspoons of glaze over each warm cookie. Let them sit for 5 minutes on the baking sheet so the glaze soaks in and sets, then carefully transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar for that extra “wow” effect.
How to Serve Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies
Garnishes
For a finishing touch, sift a little powdered sugar over the cookies after they’ve cooled—it adds a snowy, elegant look. A few fresh berries or a drizzle of white chocolate can also make them even more special for celebrations.
Side Dishes
Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies pair beautifully with coffee, strong tea, or even a chilled glass of milk. For a Southern dessert spread, try them alongside fresh fruit, lemon bars, or a bowl of homemade vanilla ice cream.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack them in a tiered cookie stand for parties, or wrap up a little stack in parchment and tie with ribbon for a heartfelt homemade gift. They also shine on holiday cookie trays or as sweet favors at showers and gatherings.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies keep wonderfully well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The glaze continues to soak in, making them even more buttery and flavorful by the next day.
Freezing
Pop cooled cookies (unglazed for best results) in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They’ll stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw, then glaze just before serving to keep that signature soft bite and shine.
Reheating
To revive the cookies, simply let them come to room temperature or gently warm them in a low (300°F) oven for a few minutes. The glaze will soften slightly and the buttery aroma will fill your kitchen all over again.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter if I don’t have unsalted?
Yes, you can use salted butter in both the dough and glaze; just reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
Do Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies need to be refrigerated?
No refrigeration is needed; they’re best stored in an airtight container at room temperature, which preserves their soft texture and buttery flavor.
Can I make Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies gluten-free?
Absolutely—simply substitute a quality all-purpose gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Check that all other ingredients are gluten-free, and you’ll be set.
What if I don’t have buttermilk?
No buttermilk? Just mix 1/4 cup regular milk with 1 teaspoon lemon juice or vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes. This quick substitute will deliver the same tender texture.
Why are my Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies spreading too much?
Cookies can spread if your butter is too soft or the dough is too warm. Try chilling the dough for 20 minutes before baking to help them hold their shape.
Final Thoughts
You truly can’t go wrong with a fresh batch of Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies. Their sweet, buttery allure and unforgettable texture guarantee they’ll become a new favorite in your baking lineup. Give them a try and watch everyone—yourself included—fall head over heels for this irresistible southern treat!
Print
Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the rich and buttery goodness of these Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies. Soft and flavorful cookies topped with a decadent butter glaze, they are perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Cookies:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup buttermilk
Butter Glaze:
- ⅓ cup unsalted butter
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Optional: powdered sugar for dusting
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Blend wet and dry: Gradually add dry mix to wet mix, alternating with buttermilk, until combined.
- Bake cookies: Scoop dough onto baking sheets and bake for 10–12 minutes.
- Prepare glaze: Combine butter, sugar, and water in a saucepan, simmer and add vanilla.
- Glaze cookies: Spoon glaze over warm cookies once out of the oven.
- Cool and serve: Let cookies cool on a wire rack. Optional: Dust with powdered sugar once cooled.
Notes
- These cookies taste better the next day as the glaze enhances the flavor.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
