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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare two 8-inch cake pans by coating with non-stick spray and lining bottoms with parchment paper.
- Combine dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl, creating a uniform flour mixture with baking powder, baking soda, sugar, and salt.
- 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.
- Separate egg whites and whip them in a clean bowl until medium-stiff peaks form, creating a light, airy texture.
- Gently fold whipped egg whites into the cake batter, maintaining the delicate volume and ensuring even distribution.
- Evenly distribute batter between prepared cake pans, using a spatula to smooth the surfaces.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the cake’s center – it should emerge clean without wet batter.
- Remove cakes from oven and allow to cool completely at room temperature, about 1 hour.
- Wrap cooled cakes in plastic film and refrigerate for minimum 2 hours to enhance moisture and flavor stability.
- Prepare lime cream cheese frosting by blending cream cheese and butter until creamy and smooth.
- 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.
- Frost chilled cakes generously, creating even layers of frosting between and on top of cake layers.
- Garnish with fresh lime wedges and crushed graham crackers for added texture and visual appeal.
- 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