Even if you can't make it to Churchill Downs for the Derby, be sure to celebrate in style. Put on a fabulous hat, make a mint julep and keep this legendary Kentucky bourbon cake on the sideboard!
We Made an Authentic Kentucky Bourbon Cake
Updated on Jun. 18, 2024
My dear friends Gretchen and Bill throw an epic Kentucky Derby party each year. It’s an excuse to get a fabulous new hat, dress up and drink one…or two mint juleps. Even though the race is over in seconds, the party before and after is full of food, drinks, music and laughter. I wanted to bring a fun contribution to their spread. Fortunately, I found the Kentucky Derby Bourbon Cake recipe in an amazing book—Vintage Cakes by Julie Richardson. Armed with the recipe, I got to work.
Time to break out the Bundt pan for this amazing Kentucky Derby bourbon cake! Here are some of our favorite Bundt pans.
Pro Tip: Allow at least a half hour before you begin the recipe, so you can bring the buttermilk and eggs to room temperature. This is why.
How to Make a Kentucky Derby Bourbon Cake
For the Cake
- 3 cups sifted cake flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1½ cups sugar
- ½ cup firmly packed brown sugar
- 4 eggs, at room temperature
- ¼ cup bourbon
- 1 cup buttermilk, at room temperature (Out of buttermilk? Make your own at home, as I did.)
For the Glaze
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¼ cup bourbon
Get Cooking, Good Looking
Preheat the oven to 350° F.
Sift together cake flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Whisk by hand to incorporate all ingredients. (You might also want to invest in this helpful KitchenAid attachment.)
In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugars together at medium-high speed until light and fluffy. It should take about 5 minutes. Make sure to stop periodically to scrape down the sides and the paddle, so you have even mixing. Then, set the mixer on low speed and begin adding one egg at a time. Add the next egg once the previous one is just mixed in.
Finish the Batter and Bake
In a small bowl, combine the buttermilk and bourbon. On low speed, alternate adding one third of the flour mixture and one half of the bourbon mixture; repeat until all ingredients have been incorporated. As soon as you add the last third of the flour, turn off the mixer and gently blend by hand until just incorporated.
Prepare your Bundt pan like this. Then, pour the cake batter in evenly. Place the pan on the middle rack and bake for approximately 40-45 minutes or until the cake is a golden brown. It should spring back when pressed.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, melt the remaining butter, sugar and bourbon on low heat until the butter and sugar have melted. Remove from heat.
Glaze and Rest
Once your Kentucky bourbon cake is done baking, remove it from the oven, but leave the cake in the pan. Poke numerous holes in the top of the cake with a wooden skewer. Pour three-quarters of the glaze over the top, letting the mixture soak into the holes. (If the glaze has thickened, heat on low until it’s easily pourable once again.) Let the cake rest for half an hour.
Flip the cake onto a cake plate (with the glazed part on the bottom). Gently brush or pour the remaining glaze on top of the cake.
Pro Tip: Did your cake have trouble freeing itself from the Bundt pan? No matter how well you grease the pan, sometimes it just doesn’t want to come out gracefully. If this is the case, let the glaze soak into the cake for a few minutes. Then, sift powdered sugar gently and evenly over the cake. This hides the blemishes and adds a nice gentle sweetness to the cake.
Final Thoughts
This cake is so incredibly springy, moist and buttery!
The bourbon softens with the addition of the butter and sugar, which makes the cake such a delight on its own, with coffee or even with a mint julep. (Need a good mint julep recipe? Learn from the experts.)
Keep this recipe in your back pocket, because a Kentucky Derby bourbon cake is sure to impress, however you decide to celebrate.
Here are More Recipes Made With a Splash of Bourbon
Brownie Bourbon BitesChocolate and chopped pecans flavor these simple, spirited treats. Make a double batch so you can give some as gifts and savor the rest!—Paula Kirchenbauer, Newton, New Jersey
Ginger Mint JulepMint juleps aren't just for Kentucky Derby day! Enjoy one while gathering with friends for baby shower or luncheon. —Ellen Riley, Murfreesboro, Tennessee
Bourbon MeatballsKick-start your meatballs with a splash of bourbon and vinegar for punchy sweet-and-sour flavor. These Kentucky Derby bourbon meatballs are perfect to snack on while you watch the race. —Kimla Carsten, Grand Junction, Colorado
Bourbon Barbecue Chicken TacosI wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma
Honey-Bourbon Hot ChocolateMy husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania
Favorite Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan TartI grew up in Louisiana where, as in most of the South, pecan pie is a staple. This tart variation is extra good because it includes chocolate. I decided to up the decadence even more by adding bourbon and drizzling some caramel on top. —Amber Needham, San Antonio, Texas
Maple-Glazed Green BeansAfter I picked my first green beans of the season one year, I wanted to make a savory side dish that was unique, quick and packed with flavor. I loved this so much I couldn't stop eating it. The next day I picked more beans and made this delicious side dish again. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
Cranberry BourbonThe subtle tang of cranberry and the warm winter spices make this bourbon just right for holiday toasts—neat, on the rocks or in a cocktail. —James Schend, Dairy Freed
Bourbon-Soaked Bacon and Ginger Cinnamon RollsThis recipe is the perfect combination of savory and sweet. The bourbon-soaked bacon adds a smoky, savory, bold taste to normal cinnamon rolls. The ginger and pecan topping makes for a crunchy, spicy finish. —Shannen Casey, Berkeley, California
BBQ Chicken SlidersBrining the meat overnight helps make these BBQ chicken sliders taste exceptionally good. Plus, they're so tender, they melt in your mouth. —Rachel Kunkel, Schell City, Missouri
Peach Upside-Down CakeGet ready to flip for this peach upside-down cake! It's easier than you think to prepare, and when it's finished it will look just as good as you'd hoped.
Bourbon-Glazed HamSmoky and sweet flavors come through in every bite of this Kentucky-style ham. Since I found this recipe, it’s the only ham I make. —Sue Schiller, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Bourbon Pumpkin Tart with Walnut StreuselBecause my husband loves pumpkin pie, I've looked high and low for that "perfect" recipe. But as soon as he tasted this tart, he told me to stop searching, declaring this the best he's ever tried! —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri
Kentucky LemonadeMint and bourbon give this drink a bit of a Kentucky kick, and ginger ale makes it a fizzy party punch.—Cathy Justus, Taylor, Michigan
Chocolate Pecan PieInspired by Derby Pie and the beloved Thanksgiving pie, our chocolate pecan pie recipe is irresistible.
Bread Pudding with Bourbon SauceThis bread pudding with bourbon sauce recipe is deliciously decadent and perfect for a chilly day... or any day! A slow cooker does most of the work, so just sit back and relax for a while until it's time to dig in. Enjoy!
Mint JulepOur recipe for mint julep features a from-scratch mint syrup and and expert tips for the perfect warm-weather cocktail.
Bourbon Candied Bacon Deviled EggsAt our house, it doesn’t get any better than deviled eggs with bacon—bourbon candied bacon, that is. See if you can resist them. We can’t. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Apple Cider SmashA smash is a fruity and chilled cocktail—very refreshing. It's a great use for those apples you bought from the orchard plus some sparking cider. —Moffat Frazier, New York, New York
Cinnamon Apple PieWhether baked in a skillet or a deep-dish pie plate, a hefty cinnamon apple pie is a real stunner.
Dr Pepper DrumsticksIf you love Dr Pepper as much as I do, try it in my barbecue sauce for grilled chicken. It adds zip to the ketchup, bourbon and barbecue seasoning. —Shannon Holle-Funk, Venedy, Illinois
And for a bourbon-flavored drink, try this Dr Pepper bourbon.
Southern Bourbon Pecan PieWhen I first made the original recipe for this bourbon-splashed pie, I added some vanilla extract and eliminated the flour. We loved the result. —Paul Falduto, Efland, North Carolina
Bourbon SlushThis easy, refreshing bourbon slush recipe takes care of all your cocktail needs come barbecue season. It's one of our favorite make-ahead drinks, and you'll have enough of it for a crowd.
Vidalia Onion RelishBurgers and brats get the star treatment with this sweet onion topping. Bourbon adds a lovely caramel note, and the crushed pepper flakes turn up the heat. —Janet Roth, Tempe, Arizona
Bourbon-Glazed HamBourbon-glazed ham is an elegant centerpiece for your next holiday celebration. Warm, sweet and spiced notes come through in the delicious glaze, giving the ham a perfect finish.
Grilled Figgy PiesDelicious figs combined with maple, walnuts and creamy mascarpone make a decadent treat that's easy to enjoy at a backyard cookout. These unique hand pies always disappear quickly. —Renee Murby, Johnston, Rhode Island
Coconut-Bourbon Sweet PotatoesWhat is it about sweet potatoes that unnerve some people? For those who firmly state they hate a yam because of the color or texture, the rich addition of coconut, bourbon and spices might just win them over. —Rebecca Anderson, Driftwood, Texas
Lane Cake>What’s the most sumptuous, indulgent cake you can bake for your guests? The answer is Lane Cake, a southern classic with a rich history and even richer filling. This Lane Cake recipe takes some planning and patience, but it’s all worth it in the end.Â
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