This Key Lime Cake recipe is a perfect mix of sweet and tart. It’s great for summer gatherings. The cake layers are moist and tender, filled with key lime juice and zest.
The creamy cream cheese frosting adds a tangy touch. It’s topped with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs. This cake truly captures the essence of key lime pie.
Key Takeaways
- Tangy and sweet key lime cake perfect for summer
- Moist cake layers with key lime juice and zest
- Creamy cream cheese frosting for a tangy complement
- Topped with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs
- Delivers an authentic key lime pie experience
Introduction to Key Lime Cake
Key lime cake is a refreshing dessert that mixes the bright taste of key limes with a sweet vanilla cake. It’s inspired by the classic key lime pie. It’s a fun and impressive summer treat.
The Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart
The cake layers have a hint of key lime citrus. The frosting is bold with tartness from homemade key lime curd. It’s topped with whipped cream and graham cracker crumbs. This dessert offers a perfect mix of sweet and tart flavors.
Key limes, smaller and more acidic than regular limes, are the main ingredient. They give the cake a unique flavor. The moist pound cake, tangy key lime curd, and creamy frosting make it irresistible.
“Key lime cake is a refreshing and flavorful dessert that combines the bright, tangy notes of key limes with a sweet vanilla cake base.”
If you want to impress at a summer event or just enjoy a sweet and tart treat, try this key lime cake recipe. It’s sure to satisfy your cravings.
Key Lime Cake Ingredients
The key lime cake is made with top-notch ingredients. These ingredients blend to give it a bright, tangy, and sweet taste. The cake layers use all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. They also include unsalted butter, avocado or oil, lime or key lime zest, key lime juice, whole milk, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Cake Layers
The cake batter has many key ingredients. These include:
- 384 grams (3 cups) of all-purpose flour
- 173 grams (0.75 cups) of unsalted butter
- 500 grams (2.5 cups) of granulated sugar
- 6 eggs
- 250 grams (1 cup) of whole milk
- 1/4 cup of freshly squeezed key lime juice
- 2 tablespoons of key lime zest
Key Lime Frosting
The frosting is creamy and tangy. It’s made with softened cream cheese, unsalted butter, powdered sugar, key lime juice, and key lime zest. These ingredients make a delicious topping for the key lime cake layers.
“The key to a perfect key lime cake is using the freshest and most flavorful ingredients possible. The combination of tart key lime juice and zest with the creamy frosting creates a truly irresistible dessert.”
Equipment Needed
To make the delicious key lime cake, you’ll need some basic baking tools. First, you’ll need three 8-inch round cake pans. These pans help your cake layers bake evenly and come out clean.
You’ll also need a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer. These are crucial for mixing the cake batter and frosting. Plus, you’ll need several mixing bowls in different sizes. This is to mix the various parts of the recipe.
For the key lime curd, you’ll need a small stainless steel saucepan and a fine mesh strainer. These tools are key for getting the curd smooth and free of lumps or zest.
With the right key lime cake equipment and baking tools, putting the cake together and decorating it will be easy. Now, let’s get into the steps to make this tasty dessert!
Step-by-Step Instructions for Making Key Lime Cake
Preparing the Cake Batter
To make the perfect key lime cake, start with the batter. First, mix the dry ingredients like flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a big bowl. Then, add the softened butter slowly, mixing well after each addition.
After that, mix in the vegetable oil, lime zest, and lots of key lime juice. Finish by adding a homemade “buttermilk” made from milk and other wet ingredients. Make sure to mix just until everything is combined, avoiding overmixing.
Baking the Cake Layers
Preheat your oven and grease and flour your pans. Split the cake batter evenly among the pans for even layers. Bake until a toothpick in the center comes out clean, usually 27-32 minutes.
Keep the oven door closed to prevent the cakes from sinking. Let the layers cool completely on a wire rack before you assemble your key lime cake.
“The secret to a perfect key lime cake is in the balance of sweet and tart flavors, achieved through the use of fresh key lime juice and zest.”
Making the Key Lime Curd
To make the luscious key lime curd, you need a few ingredients. You’ll need egg yolks, key lime juice, sugar, and a pinch of salt. Mix these in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly, to get the perfect consistency.
After thickening, whisk in unsalted butter until it’s smooth and shiny. Strain the curd through a fine mesh to remove any lumps. This homemade key lime curd adds bold, authentic key lime flavor to the cake’s frosting.
| Ingredient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Egg Yolks | 2 large |
| Key Lime Juice | 1/3 cup |
| Granulated Sugar | 1/2 cup |
| Salt | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Unsalted Butter | 3 tablespoons |
The homemade key lime curd can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for up to 1 week. It’s perfect to have ready when you’re making your key lime cake.
“The key lime curd is the secret to infusing the cake’s frosting with bold, authentic key lime flavor.”
With a few easy steps, you can make a homemade lime curd recipe that will take your key lime cake to the next level. The mix of sweet and tart is truly irresistible.
Preparing the Cream Cheese Key Lime Frosting
The secret to a great key lime cream cheese frosting is finding the right mix of tangy and sweet. Start by creaming together softened cream cheese and unsalted butter until it’s light and fluffy. Then, add powdered sugar slowly, followed by cooled key lime curd, a tablespoon at a time. This keeps the frosting smooth.
This frosting is creamy and full of flavor, perfect for key lime cake. Make sure to mix everything well. You might need to adjust the sugar or curd to get it just right.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1½ cups (340g) |
| Cream cheese, softened | 14 ounces (340g) |
| Powdered sugar | 9 cups (1,080g) |
| Fresh key lime juice | 2 tablespoons |
| Vanilla extract | 1 teaspoon |
This key lime cream cheese frosting is the perfect topping for your key lime cake. It’s great for parties or a special treat. It’s sure to impress your taste buds.
“The key lime frosting is the star of this cake, with its perfect balance of tart and sweet flavors.”
Assembling and Decorating the Key Lime Cake
The final step in making the key lime cake is putting it together. After the cake layers and key lime curd cool, it’s time to assemble this masterpiece.
Frosting the Cake Layers
Start by placing a cake layer on a serving platter or cake stand. Spread the cream cheese key lime frosting over it. Then, place the second layer on top and frost it again. Keep doing this until all layers are filled and frosted.
Adding the Graham Cracker Crumbs
To get that key lime pie look, press graham cracker crumbs up the sides of the cake. This adds a nice texture and boosts the key lime flavor.
Next, pipe stabilized whipped cream on top of the cake. Add some extra lime zest for garnish. Your key lime cake will look amazing and taste even better.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Graham Cracker Crumbs | 2 cups |
| Stabilized Whipped Cream | 1-2 cups |
| Lime Zest | As needed |
With the key lime cake assembly and cake decoration done, you can show off and serve this dessert. Every bite is a perfect mix of sweet and tart!
key lime cake recipe
Indulge in the perfect balance of sweet and tart with this delectable full key lime cake recipe. It has a rich, moist cake layer, tangy key lime curd, and creamy cream cheese frosting. This dessert is a must-try for both citrus lovers and casual sweet enthusiasts.
Preparing the Cake Batter
Ingredients for the Cake:
- Cake Flour: 1-3/4 cups
- Baking Powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Baking Soda: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Butter: 1/2 cup
- Sugar: 1-1/4 cups
- Eggs: 2
- Key Lime Juice: 2-1/2 tablespoons
- Key Lime Zest: 1 tablespoon
- Buttermilk: 3/4 cup
Steps to Prepare the Cake:
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a separate bowl, beat 1/2 cup of butter and 1-1/4 cups of sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, followed by the fresh key lime juice and zest.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients and buttermilk in alternating batches, mixing until smooth.
- Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Creating the Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients for the Frosting:
- Butter: 1/2 cup
- Cream Cheese: 8 ounces
- Powdered Sugar: 2-1/2 to 3 cups
- Key Lime Zest: 1 tablespoon
- Green Food Coloring Gel: A few drops (optional)
Steps for Making the Frosting:
- Beat the Butter and Cream Cheese: In a mixing bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add Sugar and Zest: Gradually add powdered sugar and key lime zest, continuing to beat until the frosting reaches the desired consistency. You can add a few drops of green food coloring for a decorative touch.
Assembling the Key Lime Cake
- Prepare the Layers: Once the cake layers have cooled, place one layer on a serving platter.
- Add Key Lime Curd: Spread a generous amount of key lime curd over the first layer.
- Frost the Cake: Place the second cake layer on top and frost the entire cake, covering the sides and top.
- Garnish: For a stunning presentation, garnish the cake with additional key lime zest.
Tips for the Perfect Key Lime Cake
The key lime is the main star in this cake. But, you can still get a great citrus taste by using regular limes. Just use the same amount of zest as the recipe calls for. This will give you a nice lime flavor in the cake and frosting.
Substituting Regular Limes
If you can’t find key limes, regular limes work well too. The key is the zest, which adds the lime’s aroma and taste. Use the same amount of zest as the recipe for a similar flavor.
Refrigeration Requirements
This Key Lime Cake needs to be kept in the fridge because of the cream cheese frosting and whipped cream. Store it in a sealed container to keep it moist. Enjoy it for up to four days. If you want to keep it longer, freeze it for up to three months. This way, you can enjoy it all year.