Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies

### **Instructions**

#### **Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough**
1. **Mix the dry ingredients**: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
2. **Cream the butter and sugar**: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.
3. **Add the eggs and extracts**: Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
4. **Combine the dry and wet ingredients**: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until everything is just combined. The dough should be thick and slightly sticky.
5. **Chill the dough**: Cover the dough with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 30 minutes. Chilling helps the cookies keep their shape while baking.

#### **Step 2: Bake the Cookies**
1. **Preheat the oven**: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats for easy cleanup.
2. **Shape the cookies**: Using a tablespoon or cookie scoop, portion out dough and roll it into balls. Place the dough balls on the prepared baking sheets about 2 inches apart, as they will spread slightly during baking.
3. **Bake**: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until they are lightly golden around the edges. The centers should be soft but set.
4. **Cool**: Remove the cookies from the oven and let them cool on the baking sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

#### **Step 3: Prepare the Butter Sauce**
1. **Melt the butter**: While the cookies are cooling, prepare the butter sauce. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
2. **Make the sauce**: Once the butter is melted, stir in the sugar, vanilla extract, and buttermilk. Let it simmer for 1-2 minutes, stirring constantly until the sugar is dissolved, and the sauce is smooth.
3. **Drizzle the sauce**: When the cookies have cooled slightly, drizzle the butter sauce over the top of each cookie. You can either spoon the sauce on or use a pastry brush to apply it evenly over the cookies for an extra glossy finish.

#### **Step 4: Serve & Enjoy**
Allow the butter sauce to set slightly before serving the cookies. These cookies are perfect for sharing with family and friends, or keeping all to yourself for a sweet treat during the day. Enjoy them with your favorite beverage for an extra indulgent experience!

### **Tips for Perfect Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies**

– **Don’t skip chilling the dough**: Chilling the dough helps the cookies maintain their shape while baking and results in a chewier texture.
– **Adjust sweetness**: If you prefer your cookies less sweet, you can reduce the amount of butter sauce that’s drizzled over them. The cookies themselves are already sweet, so the sauce can be adjusted to your taste.
– **Buttermilk substitute**: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can easily make a substitute by adding 1 tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to 1/4 cup of regular milk. Let it sit for 5 minutes before using.
– **Experiment with extracts**: While vanilla is the classic choice, feel free to play around with other extracts like lemon or maple to give your cookies a unique twist.

### **Why This Recipe Works**

These **Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies** bring the best parts of the original Kentucky Butter Cake into a smaller, easier-to-eat format. The cookies themselves are soft, tender, and buttery, while the sweet, glossy butter sauce adds an extra layer of flavor that makes them irresistible. The combination of the rich butter flavor and the light, cake-like texture makes these cookies a true treat for anyone with a sweet tooth.

The key to their success lies in the balance of flavors and textures—just the right amount of sweetness, a chewy texture, and that extra touch of buttery richness from the sauce. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a beginner, these cookies are easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

### **Final Thoughts**

If you’re looking for a cookie that’s both comforting and indulgent, **Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies** are the way to go. With their rich buttery flavor, soft texture, and sweet glaze, these cookies are a perfect treat for any occasion. They’re quick to make, simple to follow, and guaranteed to satisfy your cravings for something sweet and decadent. Whip up a batch, and enjoy the deliciousness that’s sure to put a smile on your face!

So, why wait? Get baking and treat yourself (and your loved ones) to these amazing cookies today!