The Sweetest Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe Ever Made

Biting into a soft, melt-in-your-mouth Kentucky butter cake cookie that instantly transports you to grandma’s kitchen.

These delectable treats capture the essence of a classic Southern dessert in a convenient, handheld form.

Buttery, rich, and utterly irresistible, each cookie promises a moment of pure indulgence.

The recipe blends traditional cake flavors with a modern cookie twist that surprises and delights.

Warm vanilla notes and a tender crumb make these cookies a standout at any gathering.

Fragrant and comforting, they whisper sweet memories with every single bite.

You’ll want to clear your schedule and start mixing these heavenly morsels right now.

Why Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Are So Rich

• Indulge in Buttery Bliss: These cookies deliver an incredible rich, velvety butter flavor that melts in your mouth with every single bite.
• Quick and Easy Baking Magic: Whip up these delightful treats in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and straightforward steps that even beginner bakers can master confidently.
• Decadent Glazed Perfection: The warm butter glaze creates a luxurious, slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and tender, making each cookie an irresistible sweet experience.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort Treat: Perfect for family gatherings, potlucks, or when you need a nostalgic dessert that reminds you of grandma's classic baking with minimal effort and maximum deliciousness.

What Goes Into Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

• Butter, Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Soft, creamy foundation that creates a rich, sweet flavor and tender texture. European-style butter recommended for better taste.
• Eggs: Binding agent that adds structure and moisture to the cookies. Fresh, room temperature eggs work best.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides structure and creates classic cookie consistency. Use unbleached flour for best results.
• Baking Powder: Leavening agent that helps cookies rise and become light. Fresh baking powder ensures proper rising.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness. Use fine table salt or kosher salt.

• Vanilla Extract, Butter Extract: Adds deep, rich flavor complexity. Pure vanilla extract recommended over imitation. Butter extract is optional but enhances buttery notes.
• Water, Sugar (for Glaze): Creates a sweet, glossy coating that soaks into warm cookies. Granulated sugar works best for smooth glaze.

Easy Instructions For Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab some parchment paper and line your baking sheets, creating a perfect non-stick surface for these delectable treats.

Step 2: Whip Up The Cookie Dough

• Softened butter
• Granulated sugar
• Powdered sugar

• Eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Butter extract (optional but recommended)

• Flour
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly merge dry ingredients with wet ingredients, mixing just until everything comes together.

Step 3: Shape Delightful Rounds

Roll the dough into adorable bite-sized balls, each about the size of a golf ball. Arrange them on your prepared baking sheets, leaving room for them to spread. Give each ball a gentle press with a spoon or your fingertips.

Step 4: Bake To Perfection

Slide the sheets into the oven. Bake for 10-12 minutes until edges look golden and centers appear slightly soft. They’ll continue cooking while cooling, so don’t overbake!

Step 5: Create Luxurious Glaze

• Sugar
• Water

Stir constantly until sugar dissolves completely. Remove from heat and splash in vanilla extract.

Step 6: Drench In Glaze

While cookies are still warm, generously brush or drizzle the glaze over each cookie. Let the liquid gold soak into every delicious crevice. For extra indulgence, repeat the glazing process.

Step 7: Cool And Celebrate

Allow cookies to cool completely. The glaze will set, creating a crisp, sweet exterior. Serve and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure joy!

Helpful Tips For Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

• Soften Butter Perfectly: Bring butter to room temperature by leaving it out for 30-45 minutes before baking, ensuring smooth and creamy cookie texture.
• Control Glaze Consistency: Stir butter and sugar mixture gently to prevent burning, creating a silky smooth glaze that penetrates deeply into warm cookies.
• Prevent Overmixing Dough: Mix dry and wet ingredients just until combined to maintain tender, soft cookie crumb without developing tough gluten.
• Master Baking Timing: Watch cookies closely during last 2 minutes of baking, removing when edges are set but centers look slightly underbaked for maximum moisture.
• Customize Flavor Boost: Experiment with different extracts like almond or maple to create unique variations of this classic Kentucky butter cake cookie recipe.

How To Keep Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Fresh

• Refrigeration: Store cooled Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Seal tightly to prevent moisture loss and maintain freshness for up to 5 days.
• Room Temperature: Keep cookies at room temperature in a sealed container for 2-3 days, protecting them from direct sunlight and humidity to preserve their delicate texture.
• Reheating: Warm cookies gently in the microwave for 5-10 seconds to restore their soft, buttery quality. Alternatively, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to revive their original texture.
• Freezing: Pack cookies in a freezer-safe container with wax paper between layers. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes before enjoying their rich, buttery flavor.

Yummy Pairings For Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

• Complement Creamy Dessert Wines: Pair these buttery, sweet cookies with a rich dessert wine like Sauternes or late-harvest Riesling to enhance the cake-like texture and rich butter flavor.
• Brew Smooth Coffee Companions: Serve alongside a velvety cappuccino or robust cold brew coffee to balance the cookie's sweetness and highlight its delicate butter undertones.
• Match Vanilla-Infused Beverages: Combine with a vanilla bean latte or creamy chai tea to amplify the cake cookie's vanilla extract notes and create a harmonious flavor profile.
• Elevate with Vanilla Ice Cream: Top the warm cookies with a scoop of premium vanilla bean ice cream for an indulgent dessert experience that melds temperature and texture beautifully.

Fun Versions Of Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

• Bourbon Butter Blast: Infuse the cookie dough with 2 tablespoons of Kentucky bourbon for a rich, spirited flavor that enhances the buttery base.
• Nutty Southern Comfort: Fold in 1/2 cup of chopped pecans or toasted walnuts into the dough for added crunch and a classic Southern touch.
• Cinnamon Swirl Sensation: Mix 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon into the dry ingredients for a warm, spicy undertone that complements the butter cake essence.
• Maple Drizzle Dream: Replace the vanilla glaze with a maple-flavored glaze by substituting maple syrup for water and adding a hint of maple extract for a decadent finish.

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Common Questions

• What makes Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies different from regular cookies?

These cookies have a unique buttery glaze that gets absorbed into the cookie, creating an incredibly moist and rich texture that’s reminiscent of a traditional Kentucky butter cake, making them extra indulgent and special.

• Can I skip the butter extract in the recipe?

Yes, you can omit the butter extract. While it adds an extra layer of buttery flavor, the cookies will still taste delicious with just vanilla extract. The recipe will work perfectly fine without it.

• How do I know when these cookies are done baking?

Look for slightly underbaked tops and set edges. They might seem a bit soft when you first take them out, but they’ll continue to set as they cool. The key is to not overbake them, which would make them dry and less tender.

• Why do I brush the glaze on warm cookies?

Brushing warm glaze on warm cookies helps the glaze soak into the cookie, creating a wonderfully moist and rich texture. The warmth allows the glaze to penetrate the cookie, giving it that signature Kentucky butter cake flavor and incredible softness.

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe

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• Total Time: 32 minutes
• Yield: 24 1x

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Description

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies deliver a melt-in-your-mouth experience that blends Southern comfort with irresistible sweetness. Buttery, tender, and glazed with a rich vanilla coating, these cookies bring pure indulgence to your dessert table.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 cup (225 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (310 g / 11 ounces) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (200 g / 7 ounces) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) powdered sugar

Flavoring Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon butter extract (optional, for extra buttery flavor)

Leavening and Seasoning Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Glaze Ingredients:

• ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter
• ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 ounces) granulated sugar
• ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fluid ounces) water
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

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Instructions

1. Warm up the kitchen appliance to 350F (175C), creating a cozy baking environment. Gently line baking trays with parchment paper for easy cookie removal.
2. In a spacious mixing vessel, whip softened butter with granulated and powdered sugars until the mixture becomes cloud-like and airy. Incorporate eggs, vanilla, and butter extracts, blending until harmoniously combined. Separately, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually fold dry ingredients into the creamy mixture, stirring until just integrated.
3. Craft uniform cookie spheres approximately 1.5 inches in diameter. Arrange these delicate orbs on prepared trays, allowing ample breathing room between each. Gently press down each ball with a smooth utensil or fingertips to create a slight flattening effect.
4. Slide trays into the preheated oven, allowing cookies to transform for 10-12 minutes. Look for subtly golden edges and slightly underdone centers, which will continue setting during cooling. Extract from oven and permit cookies to rest on trays momentarily before transitioning to cooling racks.
5. Craft a luxurious glaze by melting butter in a compact saucepan. Introduce sugar and water, stirring continuously until sugar completely dissolves. Remove from heat and infuse with vanilla extract.
6. While cookies radiate warmth, lovingly brush or drizzle glaze across their surfaces. Allow the liquid to deeply penetrate the cookie’s tender crumb. Optional: Apply a second generous glaze layer for enhanced moisture and sweetness.
7. Permit cookies to cool completely, allowing the glaze to solidify into a delicate, shimmering coating. Present these decadent treats and savor the Kentucky-inspired indulgence.

Notes

• Butter Extraction: Use high-quality butter at room temperature for maximum flavor and smoother cookie texture.
• Temperature Control: Avoid overbaking to maintain the cookies’ soft, buttery character – pull them out when edges are lightly golden.
• Glaze Application: Brush glaze while cookies are warm to ensure deep flavor penetration and a luxurious, moist finish.
• Dietary Adaptations: Substitute gluten-free flour blend for traditional flour to make these cookies celiac-friendly without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 12 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 24
• Calories: 220
• Sugar: 18 g
• Sodium: 100 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 40 mg