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Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 90 reviews
  • Author: Lauren
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20-36 minutes (depending on pan size)
  • Total Time: 35-51 minutes
  • Yield: 16 servings
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This Key Lime Cake is a moist and fluffy citrus-inspired dessert featuring a delicate lime flavor infused throughout the cake layers and topped with a rich cream cheese frosting. Made with fresh lime zest and juice, this cake offers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, making it a refreshing treat ideal for any occasion.


Ingredients

Units Scale

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

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup Butter (softened)
  • 8 ounce Cream Cheese (softened)
  • 4 - 4 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Lime Zest

Garnish

  • Fresh Limes (sliced for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking the cake layers.
  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 the mixture for 2 minutes until well blended.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, folding gently until just combined to form the batter.
  4. Prepare Pans and Bake: Spray two 9-inch or three 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Distribute the batter evenly among the pans. If using three 8-inch pans, bake for 20-26 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. If using two 9-inch pans, bake for 30-36 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
  5. Make Frosting: While the cake cools, beat together softened butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add 4 to 4 1/2 cups of powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Stir in fresh lime juice and lime zest for flavor.
  6. Assemble and Garnish: Once the cakes are completely cooled, frost the layers evenly with the lime cream cheese frosting. Garnish the cake with fresh lime slices for a beautiful presentation.

Notes

  • Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting offers a moist and fluffy texture combined with a sweet and tangy lime flavor.
  • This recipe yields a light citrus cake perfect for celebrations or a refreshing dessert any time.
  • Use freshly zested and juiced limes to achieve the best lime flavor.
  • Ensure cakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting and sliding of the frosting.
  • This cake pairs wonderfully with a cup of tea or cold lemonade.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 535 kcal
  • Sugar: 60 g
  • Sodium: 292 mg
  • Fat: 26 g
  • Saturated Fat: 8 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17 g
  • Trans Fat: 0.3 g
  • Carbohydrates: 73 g
  • Fiber: 0.4 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 67 mg