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Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies bring the rich, buttery essence of the classic Southern Kentucky Butter Cake into cookie form. These soft, tender cookies feature a perfect balance of caramelized butter flavor, moist texture, and just the right crisp edges, making them an irresistible treat ideal for any occasion.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 24 cookies 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (or gluten-free flour blend for gluten-free option)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  1. Cream the Butter and Sugars: Beat the softened unsalted butter with the granulated and brown sugars together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating the creamy base for your cookies.
  2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
  3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients to form a soft cookie dough.
  4. Chill the Dough: Cover the dough and chill for at least 30 minutes to let flavors meld and to help prevent spreading during baking.
  5. Bake and Cool: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Shape the dough into balls and arrange them evenly spaced on a baking sheet. Bake until the edges are lightly golden, about 10-12 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack to cool completely before serving for the best texture.

Notes

  • Use softened, room temperature butter for easier creaming and better dough consistency.
  • Mix just until combined to keep the cookies tender—overmixing can lead to toughness.
  • Ensure baking powder is fresh for proper rise and fluffiness.
  • Chilling the dough improves flavor and controls spreading while baking.
  • Use a cookie scoop for evenly sized cookies that bake uniformly.
  • Optional variations include adding chopped nuts, chocolate chips, drizzling melted chocolate, or incorporating spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
  • For gluten-free versions, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.
  • Browned butter can be used instead of regular butter for enhanced caramel notes.
  • Author: Lina
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10-12 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Southern American
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cookie
  • Calories: 150 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 18 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg

Keywords: Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies, buttery cookies, Southern cookies, melt-in-your-mouth cookies, easy cookie recipe