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Key Lime Cake Recipe

Key Lime Cake Recipe

4.9 from 5 reviews

A moist and tangy Key Lime Cake featuring fresh lime zest and juice baked into a tender cake, layered and frosted with a luscious lime cream cheese frosting, garnished with fresh lime slices for a zesty finish.

Ingredients

Scale

Key Lime Cake:

  • 1 cup Canola or Olive Oil
  • 3 large Eggs
  • 1 1/3 cup Whole Milk
  • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Zest
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 cups Sugar
  • 2 cups Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt

Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:

  • 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
  • 8 ounces Cream Cheese (softened)
  • 44 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Lime Zest
  • Fresh Limes (sliced for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure it’s ready for baking the cake layers evenly.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the canola or olive oil, eggs, whole milk, fresh lime zest, and fresh lime juice. Cream these together for about 2 minutes until well blended and slightly fluffy.
  3. Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix: In another large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir this dry mix into the wet ingredients, folding gently until the batter is smooth and uniform.
  4. Prepare Cake Pans and Bake: Spray two 9-inch or three 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven: if using three 8-inch pans, bake for 20-26 minutes; if using two 9-inch pans, bake for 30-36 minutes. Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Then remove and allow to cool completely.
  5. Make Lime Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and cream cheese for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping down the bowl often. Add powdered sugar, fresh lime juice, and lime zest, then blend thoroughly. Chill the frosting until ready to use for a firm consistency.
  6. Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, remove them from the pans. Spread a generous layer of lime cream cheese frosting on top of one cake layer. Place the second cake layer on top, then frost the entire outside of the cake. Garnish with fresh lime slices for an attractive and fresh presentation.

Notes

  • For best results, ensure all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing.
  • Chill the frosting before spreading to make application easier and cleaner.
  • Use fresh limes for the brightest flavor in both the cake and frosting.
  • Store leftover cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
  • Adjust powdered sugar in frosting to your preferred sweetness and consistency.
  • Check doneness with a toothpick in the center to prevent overbaking.

Nutrition

Keywords: key lime cake, lime cake, cream cheese frosting, citrus cake, lime dessert