Sweet & Tangy Key Lime Cake Recipe: A Bright Citrus Delight

Whipping up a delectable key lime cake promises a zesty adventure for dessert enthusiasts craving tropical flavors.

Sunshine-bright citrus notes dance through each tender crumb, creating a mouthwatering experience.

Sweet tanginess captures the essence of summer in every delightful slice.

Creamy frosting complements the bright lime undertones, balancing richness with refreshing complexity.

Professional bakers and home cooks alike will adore this simple yet sophisticated treat.

Each bite transports you to a breezy coastal paradise with its vibrant, citrusy charm.

Grab your mixing bowl and let this irresistible recipe inspire your next baking conquest.

Key Lime Cake FAQ Guide

• Why use buttermilk in this cake recipe?

Buttermilk helps create a tender, moist cake texture by breaking down gluten proteins and adding subtle tanginess that complements the lime flavor.

• Can I substitute fresh lime juice with bottled lime juice?

Fresh lime juice is recommended for the best flavor and brightness, but bottled lime juice can work in a pinch if it’s 100% pure lime juice without preservatives.

• Why whip egg whites separately before folding into the batter?

Whipping egg whites creates air and volume, resulting in a lighter, more delicate cake texture that helps the cake rise and become fluffy.

Zesty Reasons To Love Key Lime Cake

• Craft a Citrusy Delight: Dive into a tangy key lime cake that bursts with bright, zesty flavors and offers a refreshing twist on traditional desserts.
• Nail the Bakery-Quality Finish: Create a professional-looking cake with simple techniques like whipping egg whites and using cream cheese frosting that gives a smooth, luxurious texture.
• Perfect for Celebration Moments: Ideal for summer gatherings, birthdays, or potlucks where you want to impress guests with a show-stopping dessert that balances sweet and tart notes.
• Flexible Serving Option: Easily adaptable for different occasions, from casual family dinners to elegant parties, making it a versatile recipe that suits multiple settings.

Key Lime Cake Ingredients Checklist

• All-Purpose Flour: A base ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cake.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender cake crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.

• Buttermilk: Provides moisture and creates a tender, soft cake texture.
• Vegetable Oil: Keeps the cake moist and helps with a soft crumb.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a subtle depth of flavor to the cake.
• Lime Juice, Lime Zest: Brings a bright, citrusy flavor and tanginess to the cake.

• Egg Whites: Help provide structure and lightness to the cake when whipped and folded gently.

• Cream Cheese, Butter: Create a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps thicken the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract, Lime Zest: Add flavor complexity to the cream cheese frosting.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness of the frosting.

• Fresh Lime Wedges, Graham Crackers: Add visual appeal and complementary texture to the cake.

How To Bake Key Lime Cake To Perfection

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F. Grab two 8-inch cake pans and give them a quick spray with cooking oil. Line the bottom of each pan with parchment paper to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a large mixing bowl and toss in flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Whisk these dry ingredients until they’re best friends and well combined.

Step 3: Blend Wet Ingredients

Pour in buttermilk, fresh lime juice, zesty lime zest, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat everything together until the batter looks smooth and happy.

Step 4: Whip Those Egg Whites

In a separate bowl, whip egg whites until they form medium-stiff peaks. Gently fold these fluffy whites into the batter, being careful not to deflate their gorgeous texture.

Step 5: Bake The Cake

Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 35-40 minutes. To check doneness, insert a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Step 6: Cool And Chill

Let the cakes cool completely. Wrap each cake in plastic wrap and pop them in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight to set.

Step 7: Prepare Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Vanilla extract
• Lime zest
• Salt
• Powdered sugar

Beat cream cheese and butter until silky smooth. Add remaining ingredients and mix until fluffy and divine.

Step 8: Frost And Decorate

Spread the luscious lime cream cheese frosting over the chilled cakes. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and crushed graham crackers for extra pizzazz.

Step 9: Serve And Enjoy

Keep the cake chilled until you’re ready to serve this tangy, creamy delight. Watch your friends and family swoon with each delicious bite!

Insider Tips For Key Lime Cake Success

• Chill Cake Layers: Refrigerate cake layers for at least 2 hours or overnight to enhance texture and make frosting easier, preventing crumbs from mixing into the cream cheese frosting.
• Fold Egg Whites Gently: Use a light, careful folding technique when incorporating whipped egg whites to maintain the cake's airy, delicate structure and prevent deflating the batter.
• Zest for Maximum Flavor: Use fresh lime zest from organic limes to maximize citrusy flavor and aromatic intensity in both cake and frosting components.
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese, butter, and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better ingredient integration, resulting in a more consistent cake texture.

Flavorful Spins On Key Lime Cake

• Gluten-Free Key Lime Cake: Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and flavor while catering to those with gluten sensitivities.
• Vegan Key Lime Delight: Swap buttermilk with almond milk, use coconut oil instead of vegetable oil, and replace egg whites with aquafaba for a plant-based version that maintains the cake's moistness.
• Tropical Coconut Key Lime Cake: Incorporate shredded coconut into the batter and frosting, adding a nutty crunch and complementary tropical flavor to the zesty lime profile.
• Low-Sugar Key Lime Cake: Use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in place of sugar, and opt for a lighter cream cheese frosting with reduced powdered sugar for a diabetic-friendly option.

Perfect Pairings For Key Lime Cake

• Pair Zesty Citrus Cocktails: Mix key lime martinis or margaritas that echo the cake's bright lime flavor, creating a complementary drink experience.
• Serve Crisp Tropical Sorbet: Offer a light, refreshing lime or passion fruit sorbet alongside the cake to enhance the citrusy profile and cleanse the palate.
• Garnish with Coconut Crunch: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes around the cake plate or add a small coconut macaroon to provide a tropical texture contrast and nutty undertone.
• Match with Creamy Coffee: Brew a smooth, mild cappuccino or latte that balances the cake's tanginess and complements its rich cream cheese frosting.

Storing Key Lime Cake Without Losing Freshness

• Store the frosted cake in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or place in a cake carrier to prevent drying out.
• Wrap unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting.
• Place the fully frosted cake in the freezer uncovered for 1 hour until firm. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours before serving.
• Let chilled cake sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving to soften the frosting and enhance flavors.

Key Lime Cake Recipe

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4.8 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Zesty key lime cake brings tropical sunshine to dessert tables with its tangy-sweet charm. Creamy frosting and bright citrus notes create a delightful balance you’ll savor from first bite to last crumb.

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Ingredients

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Cake Ingredients:

• 2 1/4 cups (530 ml) cake flour
• 1 1/2 cups (300 g) granulated sugar
• 4 egg whites
• 1 cup (240 ml) buttermilk
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lime juice
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 2 teaspoons clear vanilla extract

Frosting Ingredients:

• 4 cups (480 g) powdered sugar
• 8 ounces (225 g) cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup (115 g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1 teaspoon clear vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Garnish Ingredients:

• Lime wedges
• Graham crackers

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare two 8-inch cake pans by coating with non-stick spray and lining bottoms with parchment paper.
2. Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform flour mixture with baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
3. Pour buttermilk, fresh lime juice, lime zest, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil into the dry ingredients. Mix using a stand or hand mixer until batter becomes smooth and well-incorporated.
4. Separate egg whites and whip them in a clean bowl until medium-stiff peaks form, creating a light, airy texture.
5. Gently fold whipped egg whites into the cake batter, maintaining the delicate volume and ensuring even distribution.
6. Evenly distribute batter between prepared cake pans, using a spatula to smooth the surfaces.
7. Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean without wet batter.
8. Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature, about 1 hour.
9. Wrap cooled cakes in plastic film and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours to enhance moisture and flavor stability.
10. Prepare lime cream cheese frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.
11. Incorporate vanilla extract, lime zest, salt, and powdered sugar into frosting, mixing at low speed then increasing to medium-high for 2-3 minutes until fluffy.
12. Frost chilled cakes generously, creating even layers of frosting between and on top of cake layers.
13. Garnish with fresh lime wedges and crushed graham crackers for added texture and visual appeal.
14. Refrigerate cake until serving time to maintain optimal consistency and flavor.

Notes

• Swap buttermilk with dairy-free alternatives like almond milk mixed with apple cider vinegar for a vegan-friendly version.
• Enhance the tangy lime flavor by adding an extra tablespoon of lime zest or a splash of lime extract to the batter.
• Prevent egg whites from deflating by ensuring your mixing bowl and whisk are completely clean and free from any oil residue.
• For a gluten-free option, replace all-purpose flour with a high-quality gluten-free flour blend, and add a teaspoon of xanthan gum to improve texture.

• Prep Time: 45 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 312 kcal
• Sugar: 32 g
• Sodium: 158 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 44 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg