As the sun shines through the kitchen, the smell of key lime cake fills the air. It’s a treat that takes you to a tropical paradise. This dessert is vibrant and tangy, and our recipe makes it easy to make at home.
Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- Learn how to make a moist and flavorful key lime cake from scratch
- Discover the secret to a light and fluffy cake texture
- Master the art of creating a creamy key lime cream cheese frosting
- Explore tips for assembling and decorating your key lime cake
- Understand the best ways to store and enjoy your homemade creation
What is Key Lime Cake?
A Bright, Tangy, and Fluffy Dessert
Key lime cake is a delightful mix of zesty key lime flavors and a moist cake. It’s different from lemon cakes, with a unique tanginess. This makes it a refreshing treat for any occasion.
Key Ingredients for Key Lime Cake
To make the perfect key lime cake, you need a few key ingredients. The cake uses flour, sugar, eggs, oil, and key lime juice and zest. For the frosting, you’ll need cream cheese, butter, sugar, and more key lime juice and zest.
Preparing the Cake Batter
Step-by-Step Instructions
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare your cake pans by greasing and flouring them. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. In another bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, and oil until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Finally, stir in the key lime juice and zest, being careful not to overmix.
Making the Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add the sugar, key lime juice, and vanilla extract, mixing until fluffy. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure even mixing.
Assembling and Frosting the Key Lime Cake
Frosting Tips
Once the cake layers cool, it’s time to assemble and frost. Place one layer on a platter, then spread frosting on top. Repeat with the second layer, and finish with the third. Use the remaining frosting to cover the cake, creating a smooth surface. For a professional look, use a cake turntable and spatula.
Key Lime Cake
After assembling and frosting, admire your work. The cake’s vibrant green frosting and soft texture make it stunning. It’s perfect for any occasion, bringing a taste of the tropics to your table.
Garnishing and Serving
Finishing Touches
To finish your cake, garnish with fresh lime slices or confectioners’ sugar. These decorations enhance the cake’s look and flavors. Serve with a sharp knife and forks for a delightful experience.
Storing and Enjoying Your Key Lime Cake
Key lime cake is best enjoyed within 4 days. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. To freeze, wrap the cake or slices in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe bag.
Variations and Adaptations
While the classic recipe is great, you can also experiment. Try adding key lime curd between layers or use different frostings. Regular limes can also be used for a different taste.
Conclusion
Making a homemade key lime cake is rewarding and delicious. It takes you to a tropical paradise. With our recipe and techniques, you can make a moist, tangy, and stunning cake. So, get ready to bake a slice of key lime heaven.
What is Key Lime Cake?
Key lime cake is a vibrant dessert with a tangy twist. It uses fresh or bottled key lime juice for its bright flavor. The cake is light and tender, with a creamy frosting that adds to its appeal.
This dessert is perfect for warm weather. The citrusy zest and tangy frosting make it refreshing and balanced.
A Bright, Tangy, and Fluffy Dessert
Key lime cake is a delightful treat. It captures the essence of the key lime, a smaller, more aromatic lime. The cake is fluffy and tangy, making it a hit for summer gatherings.
The secret to a great key lime cake is fresh key lime juice. It gives the cake its tart and zesty taste. The batter includes flour, butter, cream cheese, eggs, and sugar, making it moist and flavorful.
The frosting is the cake’s crowning glory. It’s a creamy mix of cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and key lime juice. This frosting balances the cake’s tartness perfectly.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Freshly squeezed key lime juice | 63 grams (1/4 c) plus 2 tablespoons |
| All-purpose flour | 384 grams (3 c) |
| Unsalted butter | 173 grams (.75 c) |
| Cream cheese | 58 grams (.25 c) |
| Eggs | 6 |
| Granulated sugar | 500 grams (2.5 c) |
Whether you’re in the mood for a key lime cake, a key lime dessert, or a tangy cake, this treat will satisfy your cravings. It’s vibrant, flavorful, and sure to delight your taste buds.
Key Ingredients for Key Lime Cake
To make a delicious key lime cake, you’ll need some key ingredients. You’ll need all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. For the wet ingredients, eggs, vegetable oil, key lime juice, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract are needed.
Some recipes might ask for green food coloring. This adds to the cake and frosting’s bright color. Having these ingredients ready lets you make this tasty dessert easily at home.
- All-purpose flour
- Granulated sugar
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
- Eggs
- Vegetable oil
- Key lime juice
- Sour cream
- Butter
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Green food coloring (optional)
The key lime juice and zest give the cake its tangy flavor. The sour cream, butter, and cream cheese make it creamy. With these ingredients, you’re ready to bake a wonderful dessert.
“The secret to the perfect key lime cake is using fresh, tangy key lime juice and zest. It really makes all the difference in the flavor profile.”
Preparing the Cake Batter
Making the perfect key lime cake starts with a great batter. First, mix the dry ingredients. You’ll need a 15.25 oz box of white cake mix, 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. These ingredients create the moist and fluffy base of the cake.
Then, add the wet ingredients to the dry mix. Crack in 4 large egg whites, 1/2 cup of melted unsalted butter, 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed key lime juice, and 1 cup of sour cream. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer to blend until smooth and well-combined.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C) and grease three 8-inch round cake pans.
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: the cake mix, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the wet ingredients: egg whites, melted butter, key lime juice, and sour cream.
- Mix the batter on medium speed until it’s smooth and well-incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
- Divide the batter evenly among the prepared cake pans.
- Bake the cakes for 22-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Now that the batter is ready, you can start assembling this bright, tangy, and fluffy dessert.
Making the Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
The secret to a great key lime cake frosting is finding the right mix of creamy, tangy, and sweet. This key lime cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the moist key lime cake. It adds a rich, velvety texture that complements the cake’s bright and zesty flavors.
To make the homemade key lime frosting, start by mixing softened salted butter and cream cheese until smooth. Slowly add powdered sugar while beating. This makes the frosting light and sweet.
After adding all the powdered sugar, mix in fresh key lime juice and key lime zest. This boosts the frosting’s tangy, citrusy taste. A bit of vanilla extract finishes it off, making the key lime cream cheese frosting irresistible.
For a pop of color, you can add a bit of green food coloring. But it’s up to you. The frosting will be creamy and vibrant, matching the cake beautifully.
“The key lime cream cheese frosting is the crowning glory of this cake, adding a tangy, sweet, and creamy element that truly makes it shine.”
The key lime cream cheese frosting is a smooth, velvety delight. Spread it over the cooled cake layers for a stunning finish. Your homemade key lime cake will be a feast for the eyes and taste buds!
Assembling and Frosting the Key Lime Cake
Now that the key lime cake layers are baked and the frosting is ready, it’s time to put it all together. Start by placing the first cake layer on a cake board or plate. Spread a generous amount of frosting over the top, making sure it’s even.
Do the same with the remaining cake layers, stacking them neatly. For the final layer, add another 1/2 cup of frosting and smooth it out. Then, apply a thin crumb coat around the sides of the cake. This seals in crumbs and prepares the cake for the final frosting layer.
Chill the cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the crumb coat. This step is crucial for a smooth finish.
Frosting Tips
After the crumb coat sets, it’s time for the final frosting layer. Use a cake knife or offset spatula to spread the frosting evenly. This will give your cake a professional look. You can also pipe a decorative border around the top for extra flair.
By following these frosting tips, you’ll have a stunning key lime cake. It’s a perfect mix of tangy and sweet, making it a treat for the senses.
key lime cake
The key lime cake is a standout dessert. It’s moist and tangy, topped with a creamy lime frosting. It’s perfect for spring and summer, adding a tropical twist to a classic.
The cake’s bright citrus flavors and fluffy texture are a treat for the senses. Key lime juice in both the cake and frosting gives it a strong lime taste. This is balanced by the sweetness of sugar and the creaminess of cream cheese.
This cake will wow your guests and leave them wanting more. Be the star of your next event with this irresistible key lime cake recipe.
| Servings | Prep Time | Baking Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 30 minutes | 20-25 minutes | 55 minutes |
The key lime cake is not just a feast for the eyes. It’s also packed with nutrients. Each serving has:
- Calories: 464kcal
- Carbohydrates: 63g
- Protein: 3g
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
- Sodium: 225mg
- Potassium: 78mg
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 51g
- Vitamin A: 552IU
- Vitamin C: 3mg
- Calcium: 35mg
- Iron: 1mg
With a recipe rating of 4.89 out of 5 from 209 votes, this cake is a hit.
“This key lime cake is a citrus-infused masterpiece that will transport your taste buds to a tropical oasis with every bite.”
Garnishing and Serving
After baking, frosting, and chilling your key lime cake, it’s time for the final touches. Adding a few simple garnishes can make it look impressive. It’s perfect for parties, gatherings, or a special treat.
Finishing Touches
Begin by topping the key lime cake with sweetened whipped cream. This adds a light, airy texture that contrasts well with the dense cake. For more citrus flavor, sprinkle some key lime zest on top.
Place fresh key lime slices around the cake or on top. They add beauty and a burst of citrus flavor. These garnishes make the cake look great and taste even better.
Chill the key lime cake before serving. This lets the flavors come alive and the textures stand out. A sprinkle of powdered sugar or a drizzle of key lime zest adds elegance to your key lime cake serving.
| Garnish | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sweetened Whipped Cream | Provides a light, airy contrast to the dense cake |
| Fresh Key Lime Zest | Adds a burst of vibrant citrus flavor and color |
| Fresh Key Lime Slices | Enhances the visual appeal and complements the flavors |
| Powdered Sugar | Adds a touch of elegance and sweetness |
With these garnishes, your key lime cake becomes a stunning dessert. It’s both beautiful and delicious. Enjoy the vibrant flavors and stunning presentation of your homemade key lime cake.
Storing and Enjoying Your Key Lime Cake
After making your key lime cake, it’s time to think about how to store and enjoy it. This cake stays fresh for a while, letting you enjoy its tangy taste for days.
At room temperature, your cake lasts up to 3 days. But if you added whipped cream, keep it in the fridge. This way, the cream stays fresh. In the fridge, your cake stays good for up to 5 days.
When you’re ready to serve your key lime cake, let it come to room temperature. This lets the flavors shine and the texture become perfect. Your guests will love the refreshing taste of the key lime cake.
“This key lime cake is a delightful and versatile dessert that’s sure to impress. The combination of the tangy key lime and the creamy frosting is simply divine.”
Enjoying a slice of key lime cake is always a treat. It’s great for any occasion or a quick snack. Its long shelf life and easy storage make it a convenient and enjoyable dessert.
Variations and Adaptations
The classic key lime cake is already a hit, but you can make it even better. There are many key lime cake variations and key lime cake adaptations to try. They let you add your own twist to this citrusy dessert.
Want a coconut flavor boost? Add shredded coconut to the key lime cake recipes. You can mix it into the batter or the frosting. This makes a key lime coconut marbled pound cake or a key lime pound cake with a tropical flavor.
Try using different cake pans, like a 9×13-inch key lime cake variations sheet cake or cupcakes. Just remember to adjust the baking time. This way, you can serve it in various sizes and styles.
Looking to change up the frosting? Swap the cream cheese frosting for a key lime buttercream or a meringue topping. These key lime cake adaptations bring new textures and tastes to enjoy.
Whether you want to highlight coconut, try new cake shapes, or frosting flavors, there’s a lot to explore. These key lime cake variations and key lime cake adaptations let you make the dessert your own. It’s a fun way to enjoy this citrusy treat.
Conclusion
This key lime cake recipe is a delightful treat for spring and summer. It’s easy to make and full of bright, tangy flavors. Home bakers can follow simple steps to create a fluffy, citrusy dessert.
The creamy frosting adds a special touch to the moist cake layers. There are many ways to garnish and serve the cake, making it even more impressive. This guide is perfect for anyone wanting to try a new recipe or enjoy a classic key lime cake.
This article has covered everything from the history of key lime pie to the unique taste of key limes. With the right instructions and tips, you can make a stunning dessert. It’s sure to impress your family and friends.
FAQ
What is key lime cake?
Key lime cake is a vibrant dessert. It’s made with fresh or bottled key lime juice. The cake is light and tender, with a strong lime taste. It’s topped with a creamy key lime cream cheese frosting.
What are the key ingredients for making key lime cake?
To make a tasty key lime cake, you need a few key ingredients. These include flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. You also need eggs, oil, key lime juice, sour cream, butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Some recipes might also include green food coloring.
How do you prepare the key lime cake batter?
First, mix the dry ingredients together. This includes flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then, add the wet ingredients like eggs, oil, key lime juice, and sour cream. Mix until smooth, then pour into cake pans.
How do you make the key lime cream cheese frosting?
To make the frosting, beat softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and key lime juice slowly. You can also add a bit of green food coloring for a brighter lime color.
How do you assemble and frost the key lime cake?
Start by cooling the cake layers. Place them on a cake board or plate. Spread frosting between each layer, making sure to divide it evenly. Top with more frosting and smooth it out.
Apply a thin crumb coat to the sides and chill for 30 minutes. Then, add a thick layer of frosting to the top and sides. Use a cake knife to get a smooth finish.
How can you garnish and serve the key lime cake?
To garnish the cake, you can add a swirl of whipped cream on top. Sprinkle with lime zest or fresh lime slices. These touches make the cake look impressive and delicious, perfect for parties or special occasions.
How do you store and enjoy the key lime cake?
Store the cake at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. If you’ve added whipped cream, keep it in the fridge. Let the cake come to room temperature before serving to enjoy its full flavor.
What are some variations and adaptations of the key lime cake?
You can try different variations of the key lime cake. Add shredded coconut to the batter or frosting. Use different cake pan sizes or swap the cream cheese frosting for a key lime buttercream or meringue topping.
Source Links
- Rich, bright, fluffy Easy Key Lime Cake & Key Lime Frosting
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- Key Lime Cake (A Doctored Cake Mix Recipe)
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- Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- Key Lime Cake: Simple & refreshingly citrusy! -Baking a Moment
- Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting – The Best Cake Recipes
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- Key Lime Pound Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing…omg!
- Easy Key Lime Cake {With Cake Mix}
- J. Kenji López-Alt’s 10-Minute Lime Cracker Pie Recipe on Food52
- Feast on Rich Coconut Key Lime Cake or Pie – The Feast Restaurant on Anna Maria Island
- Ultimate Key Lime Cake Recipe | 5 Easy Steps for a Moist & Zesty Dessert
- Key Lime Pie