Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies are a glorious twist on a Southern classic: everything you love about a rich, buttery cake, transformed into bite-sized cookies drenched in a heavenly vanilla glaze. Each cookie is tender and soft, almost melting on your tongue, with just the right hint of crispness at the edges. Whether you’re baking for a celebration or a cozy afternoon treat, the aroma alone will have everyone peeking into your kitchen, eager for a taste. Trust me, these cookies will quickly become a cherished favorite in your baking rotation.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What makes these cookies showstopping is how a handful of pantry staples come together to create something truly special. Each ingredient shines on its own, yet harmonizes perfectly for that iconic taste and irresistible texture.
- Unsalted butter, softened (1 cup): The backbone of these cookies — use high-quality butter for deep, creamy flavor in both dough and glaze.
- Granulated sugar (1 cup for dough, 1/3 cup for glaze): Gives the cookies their classic sweetness and helps produce those beautifully crisp edges.
- Large egg (1): Adds richness and binds the dough for that perfect tender crumb.
- Vanilla extract (2 teaspoons for dough, 1 teaspoon for glaze): Infuses both the cookies and glaze with warm, fragrant vanilla notes that define the Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies experience.
- All-purpose flour (2 cups): The foundation for the dough, providing structure while keeping the cookies soft.
- Baking powder (1/2 teaspoon): Adds a touch of lift so the cookies aren’t too dense.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Balances sweetness and enhances all the buttery flavors.
- For the butter glaze: 1/4 cup unsalted butter, 1/3 cup granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon water, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract — together, these make the glossy glaze that seeps into every bite.
How to Make Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies
Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This helps the Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies bake evenly and come off the sheet with perfect bottoms every time.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key to achieving that melt-in-your-mouth texture, so take your time and beat them until pale.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Mix in the egg and vanilla extract, making sure everything’s fully incorporated. The egg not only adds richness but helps create the smooth, luscious dough that makes Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies so special.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures even distribution, so you don’t get any salty or bitter bites in your finished cookies.
Step 5: Make the Dough
Gradually fold the dry ingredients into your wet mixture. Stir gently until a soft, supple dough forms — it should be easy to scoop but not too sticky.
Step 6: Shape and Flatten the Cookies
Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and space them about 2 inches apart on your prepared baking sheet. Gently flatten each ball with the bottom of a glass for those perfect bakery-style rounds.
Step 7: Bake to Perfection
Bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges are set and the tops no longer look raw. Try not to overbake; the center should be just barely done for that deliciously soft bite.
Step 8: Make the Butter Glaze
While the cookies bake, get your glaze ready. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter with sugar and water, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Take it off the heat and stir in the vanilla extract — now you’ve got a silky, fragrant glaze for your Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies.
Step 9: Glaze While Warm
Right when the cookies come out of the oven, spoon about a teaspoon of that warm glaze over each one. Let the cookies soak it all in as they cool on the baking sheet. This step is where the magic happens (and where the kitchen starts smelling downright irresistible).
How to Serve Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies
Garnishes
A classic touch is a light dusting of powdered sugar after the glaze sets, but you can also go for a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted pecans or a pinch of sea salt for a sweet-savory finish. A few fresh berries alongside make an inviting, colorful plate.
Side Dishes
Serve these with a cup of hot coffee, spiced chai, or even a peach iced tea for a truly Southern treat. If you’re making a dessert platter, pair Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies with mixed fruit or lemon bars for a bright, refreshing contrast.
Creative Ways to Present
Stack the cookies on a vintage cake stand, or nestle them in pretty tins lined with parchment for a thoughtful homemade gift. For parties, arrange them in a circle with a small bowl of whipped cream or berries in the center for dipping and sharing.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to five days. Keep parchment or wax paper between layers to preserve that beautifully glazed finish.
Freezing
You can freeze the fully baked and glazed cookies! Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet to freeze, then stack with parchment in a freezer-safe container. They’ll taste fresh for up to two months; just thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookies slightly warm (and who could blame you?), pop one or two in the microwave for 7-10 seconds. This softens the glaze just enough and revives that buttery flavor, as if you just baked them.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Absolutely, but be sure to reduce the added salt by about half to avoid making your Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies too salty. Unsalted butter lets you better control the overall flavor.
How do I know when the cookies are done?
The edges should look set and just starting to turn golden, while the tops appear dry but still pale. Overbaking will make them less soft, so aim for perfectly baked centers.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes, this dough is easy to scale. Just use two baking sheets and rotate them in the oven if you’re making a larger batch for holidays or bake sales.
Is the glaze absolutely necessary?
While you could serve these unglazed, the buttery vanilla glaze is what truly sets Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies apart. It adds incredible flavor and that slight crispness on top.
Can I add other flavorings to the dough?
Sure! A dash of almond or bourbon extract is fun, but don’t go overboard; you don’t want to overshadow the signature butter and vanilla flavor that makes these cookies irresistible.
Final Thoughts
If you’re ready to fall in love with a new classic, these Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies are an absolute must-bake. They’re easy, welcoming, and deliver a bakery-worthy taste in every cookie. Bake a batch, share them with people you love, and let the compliments roll in!
Print
Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the deliciousness of these Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies, featuring a soft, buttery texture and a rich vanilla glaze. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth!
Ingredients
Main Cookie Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Butter Glaze:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the wet mixture and stir to form a dough.
- Bake: Scoop dough onto baking sheet, flatten, and bake for 10-12 minutes.
- Prepare glaze: Combine butter, sugar, and water in a saucepan. Stir in vanilla extract.
- Glaze the cookies: Spoon warm glaze over warm cookies right out of the oven.
- Cool and enjoy: Let the glaze set as the cookies cool on the baking sheet.
Notes
- These cookies are soft, buttery, and slightly crisp, with a rich vanilla glaze.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 19g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
