Indulgent, rich, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious, this Kentucky Butter Cake with Rum Sauce is a dessert made for celebration. A soft yellow cake is soaked in a warm, buttery rum sauce that seeps into every crumb, making each bite irresistibly moist and flavorful. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a dinner party, or just treating yourself, this cake is bound to be a standout.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Kentucky Butter Cake is incredibly easy to make but tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. Thanks to a shortcut with a box of yellow cake mix and a simple homemade rum sauce, you get a buttery, moist, and flavorful dessert with minimal effort. The warm rum sauce adds a luxurious touch, soaking into the cake and creating a melt-in-your-mouth texture that’s hard to resist. It’s perfect served as-is or with a dollop of whipped cream or scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Ingredients

For the cake:

1 box yellow cake mix
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk

For the rum sauce:

1/2 cup unsalted butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup dark rum
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Beat until smooth and fully combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the rum sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, water, and rum. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Once the cake is done, let it cool for about 10 minutes. Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the warm cake.
Slowly pour the warm rum sauce over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the sauce to fully absorb.

Servings and Timing

Servings: 12 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Variations

Non-alcoholic Version: Replace the rum in the sauce with additional water or apple juice for a family-friendly version.
Bundt Cake Style: Bake the cake in a greased and floured Bundt pan for a classic presentation. Increase the baking time slightly to 40-45 minutes.
Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts to the top of the cake after pouring the rum sauce for extra texture.

Storage/Reheating

Storage: Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds for a warm, buttery treat.

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes! This cake actually tastes even better the next day after the rum sauce has had time to soak into the cake.

2. Can I freeze Kentucky Butter Cake?

Absolutely. Wrap individual slices or the entire cake tightly in plastic wrap and foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.

3. What type of rum works best?

Dark rum adds the richest flavor, but you can also use spiced or light rum depending on your preference.

4. Can I use a homemade cake batter instead of boxed mix?

Yes, feel free to use your favorite yellow cake recipe if you prefer baking from scratch.

5. Can I serve this cake with ice cream?

Yes! A scoop of vanilla or butter pecan ice cream complements the warm rum sauce perfectly.

6. Can I reduce the sugar in the rum sauce?

Yes, you can slightly reduce the sugar if you prefer a less sweet dessert, but keep in mind the sauce also contributes to the cake’s moisture.

7. Can I add flavoring to the cake batter?

You can add almond extract or a hint of lemon zest to change up the flavor profile.

8. What can I use instead of milk?

Buttermilk, half-and-half, or a non-dairy milk like almond or oat milk can be used in place of regular milk.

9. Do I need to poke holes in the cake?

Yes, poking holes allows the warm rum sauce to seep into the cake, making it incredibly moist and flavorful.

10. Can I serve this cake cold?

Yes, it can be served cold, but it’s especially delicious slightly warm or at room temperature.

Conclusion

Kentucky Butter Cake with Rum Sauce is the kind of dessert that makes any occasion feel special. With its buttery crumb and indulgent rum glaze, it’s the perfect balance of rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture. Whether served at a holiday gathering or just because, this easy yet decadent cake is sure to impress—and maybe even earn a permanent place in your recipe box.

Kentucky Butter Cake with Rum Sauce

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Print Recipe

Indulge in the rich and decadent Kentucky Butter Cake with Rum Sauce, a melt-in-your-mouth dessert that’s perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-make cake is soaked in a warm, buttery rum sauce that makes each bite irresistibly moist and flavorful. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering, dinner party, or enjoying it as a treat, this cake is guaranteed to impress with its luxurious texture and rich flavor.

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Yield: 12 servings

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a large bowl, mix together the cake mix, softened butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, and milk. Beat until smooth and fully combined.
Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
While the cake is baking, prepare the rum sauce. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Stir in the sugar, water, and rum. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
Once the cake is done, let it cool for about 10 minutes. Use a fork or skewer to poke holes all over the warm cake.
Slowly pour the warm rum sauce over the cake, allowing it to soak in.
Let the cake sit for at least 30 minutes before slicing and serving to allow the sauce to fully absorb.

Notes

Non-alcoholic Version: Replace the rum in the sauce with additional water or apple juice for a family-friendly version.
Bundt Cake Style: Bake the cake in a greased and floured Bundt pan for a classic presentation. Increase the baking time to 40-45 minutes.
Nutty Twist: Add chopped pecans or walnuts on top after pouring the rum sauce for extra texture.
Storage: Store the cake covered at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Reheating: Microwave individual slices for 15-20 seconds for a warm, buttery treat.

Author: Sophia
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian