Mouthwatering Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies Recipe
These Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies are a delightful twist on the classic Southern butter cake, transformed into rich, buttery cookies with a luscious sugar glaze. Perfectly soft with golden edges and a tender crumb, these cookies offer a melt-in-your-mouth texture complemented by a sweet, silky glaze. Ideal for any occasion, they carry the warm, comforting flavors of a traditional Kentucky dessert in a convenient cookie form.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 24 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Southern
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups (310 g / 11 oz) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- 1 cup (200 g / 7 oz) granulated sugar
- ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) powdered sugar
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp butter extract (optional, for extra buttery flavor)
Glaze
- ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter
- ¾ cup (150 g / 5.3 oz) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (60 ml / 2 fl oz) water
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper to ensure the cookies release easily after baking.
- Batter Creation: Cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light in texture. Beat in the eggs along with the vanilla and optional butter extract until fully incorporated. Gently fold in the sifted dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, and salt—mixing just until combined to form a smooth dough without overworking it.
- Shaping: Roll the dough into evenly sized balls and place them spaced apart on the prepared baking sheets. Use your fingertips or a flat utensil to gently flatten each ball into uniform disks, preparing them for an even bake.
- Baking: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, watching closely for the edges to turn a subtle golden color while the centers remain slightly soft. Let the cookies rest briefly on the baking sheets to set before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.
- Glaze Construction: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in the granulated sugar and water, mixing until the sugar is fully dissolved and the glaze is smooth. Remove from heat, then stir in the vanilla extract for added depth of flavor.
- Finishing: While the cookies are still warm, generously brush or drizzle the glaze over their surfaces, allowing it to soak into the tender cookies. For extra moisture and sweetness, you can apply a second layer of glaze once the first has set.
- Serving: Allow the cookies to cool completely so the glaze solidifies into a delicate, shiny finish. Serve these indulgent Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies as a rich, buttery treat to delight your guests or enjoy as a comforting snack.
Notes
- Ensure the butter is softened to room temperature for easier creaming with sugars to achieve a light and fluffy batter.
- Sifting the flour, baking powder, and salt helps prevent lumps and ensures uniform mixing.
- Do not overmix the dough after adding dry ingredients to keep the cookies tender and avoid toughness.
- Spacing cookies adequately on the baking sheet prevents them from spreading into each other during baking.
- The glaze is best applied while cookies are still warm to allow absorption, enhancing flavor and texture.
- Optional butter extract intensifies the buttery flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
Keywords: Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies, buttery cookies, Southern cookies, glazed cookies, homemade cookies, rich butter cookies, easy cookie recipe
