Description
Indulge in the delightful freshness of our Key Lime Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting. This vibrant dessert combines the zesty goodness of key limes with a rich cream cheese frosting, creating a perfect balance of sweet and tangy flavors. Ideal for any occasion—be it a summer picnic, birthday celebration, or simply a treat for yourself—this cake is light, fluffy, and sure to impress your guests. With easy preparation steps and customizable options, you’ll find this recipe to be not only delicious but also fun to make!
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice
- 1 tbsp key lime zest (or regular lime zest)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: a few drops of green food coloring for a lime hue
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tbsp key lime juice
- 1 tsp key lime zest
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: a drop of green food coloring for tint
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, cream together the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
- In another bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a measuring cup, combine whole milk, fresh key lime juice, key lime zest, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture alternately with the milk mixture, starting and ending with dry ingredients. Mix just until combined. If desired, stir in a few drops of green food coloring.
- Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Bake for 28-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cooling in pans for 10 minutes before turning out onto wire racks to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat together cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl until smooth and fluffy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar while mixing well. Mix in key lime juice, zest, and a pinch of salt until fluffy and spreadable.
- To assemble, place one layer of cake on a serving plate and spread frosting on top. Add the second layer on top; frost both the top and sides generously. Garnish with additional lime zest, slices of lime, or crushed graham crackers.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (85g)
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 28g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg