A friend from Kentucky gave me this recipe — I’ve already made it four times this month!
In the world of sweet treats, few desserts can rival the melt-in-your-mouth perfection of Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies. With their rich buttery flavor, gentle vanilla aroma, and delicate sweetness, these cookies are nothing short of irresistible. In this detailed guide, we’ll walk through everything you need to know — from the essential ingredients to each step of the baking process. Whether you’ve been baking for years or you’re just getting comfortable in the kitchen, this walkthrough will help you create Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies that are guaranteed to impress.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1 cup |
| Granulated sugar | 1 cup |
| Large eggs | 2 |
| Buttermilk | 1/4 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 2 teaspoons |
| All-purpose flour | 3 cups |
| Baking powder | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Baking soda | 1/2 teaspoon |
| Salt | 1/2 teaspoon |
Butter Glaze
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter | 1/2 cup |
| Confectioners’ sugar | 1 cup |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
| Water | 2 tablespoons |
Instructions
Now that you have everything ready, here’s how to make these soft, buttery cookies:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until the mixture is creamy and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the buttermilk and vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly blend the dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing only until everything comes together.
- Drop rounded tablespoons of dough onto the baking sheet, leaving about 2 inches between each cookie.
- Bake for 10–12 minutes, or until the edges begin turning golden.
- While the cookies bake, prepare the glaze: whisk the melted butter, confectioners’ sugar, vanilla, and water until smooth.
- When the cookies come out of the oven, brush them generously with the warm glaze while they’re still soft.
- Let them cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes, then move them to a wire rack to cool completely.
