The Kitchen Crew and I recently had the sweet fortune of whipping up Laura Davis‘ recipe for Kentucky Butter Cake. I freely admit to having a soft spot in my heart for Kentucky, butter AND cake, so we had great expectations for this one. Well, let me tell you, we weren’t let down one bit. Laura’s easy Bundt cake is made up of simple, quality ingredients and topped-off with the most delectable sauce of real butter, vanilla and sugar. It’s simple as simple can be, and it’s that purity that makes it taste so darn good.
What’s that they say? The proof is in the putting? Well, I say it’s the pudding that tells the real story here…. Shyla Michelle’s bread pudding, to be exact. Butter takes center stage in her recipe for Bread Pudding with Buttery Bourbon Sauce. There’s just no substitute for the creamy sweetness of real butter in this one.
“This is a dessert sure to disappear off your table,” says Shyla. “I own a catering company and this is by far the most requested dessert on my menu. I hope you and your family enjoy it as much as my family and customers do!”
What’s not to love? Shyla starts with day-old French bread, bakes it up with goodies like raisins, nutmeg, cinnamon and pecans, then tops it with a perfectly balanced Buttery Bourbon Sauce. That’s some serious comfort food. In fact, I feel more relaxed just thinking about it!
And finally, perhaps most comforting of all – and a cooks’ favorite on the Just A Pinch Recipe Club – are Gooey Butter Cookies. They’ve been causing quite a stir and are producing smiles all across the country. These melt-in-your-mouth treats from Vonna Pauls have a crispy outside and a buttery, cake-like inside that is the perfect coffee accompaniment. Once again, simplicity reigns supreme in this celebrated recipe. Just a few ingredients – cake mix, butter, vanilla, cream cheese and an egg – become mighty when combined with a healthy helping of TLC. And with a solidly scrumptious base recipe like this one, you’re free to play with additional flavors and add-ins.
“These cookies are so easy to make and everybody loves them. It’s fun to experiment with different cake flavors, too,” explains Vonna. She suggests trying coconut, and we figure you just can’t go wrong with chocolate… ever.
So, whatever your flavor and whatever your chosen form, sometimes simple really is best… and butter is always better.