Print

Key Lime Cake with Lime Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 642 reviews

This Key Lime Cake is a bright and tangy dessert featuring a moist, tender cake infused with fresh lime juice and zest, layered with creamy lime-infused cream cheese frosting. It’s perfect for those who love a refreshing citrus twist in their baked goods, complemented by the crunch of graham cracker garnish and fresh lime wedges for presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Cake

  • 2 ¼ Cups Cake Flour
  • 1 ½ Cup Granulated Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Baking Powder
  • ½ Teaspoon Baking Soda
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • 1 Cup Buttermilk
  • ¼ Cup Fresh Lime Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Lime Zest
  • 2 Teaspoons Clear Vanilla Extract
  • ½ Cup Vegetable Oil
  • 4 Egg Whites

Frosting

  • 8 Ounces Cream Cheese (Room Temperature)
  • ½ Cup Unsalted Butter (Room Temperature)
  • 1 Teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract
  • 2 Teaspoons Lime Zest
  • ½ Teaspoon Salt
  • 4 Cups Powdered Sugar

Garnish

  • Lime Wedges (for Garnish)
  • Graham Crackers (for Garnish, crushed)

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Pans: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick spray, line the bottoms with parchment paper rounds, and spray the parchment paper to prevent sticking. Set aside.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together cake flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In another bowl or measuring cup, mix buttermilk, fresh lime juice, lime zest, vanilla extract, and vegetable oil. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients and beat with a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment or a hand mixer until just combined to avoid overmixing.
  4. Whip Egg Whites: In a separate clean bowl, whip the egg whites until medium stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped egg whites into the batter until no streaks remain, ensuring the batter stays light and airy.
  5. Bake the Cake: Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared pans. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the cake springs back lightly when pressed.
  6. Cool and Chill: Let the cakes cool completely in their pans on a wire rack. Once cooled, wrap the layers tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Chilling makes frosting easier and enhances flavor.
  7. Prepare Frosting: In a stand mixer bowl, beat together room temperature cream cheese and unsalted butter until smooth and fluffy. Scrape the sides of the bowl and beat briefly again to fully incorporate.
  8. Add Flavor and Sweetener: Add vanilla extract, lime zest, salt, and powdered sugar to the cream cheese mixture. Mix on low first until the sugar is moistened, then increase speed to medium-high and beat for 2 to 3 minutes until the frosting is smooth, light, and fluffy.
  9. Frost the Cake: Remove chilled cakes from the refrigerator. If necessary, level the tops for even stacking. Spread a layer of frosting between the cake layers and then frost the top and sides evenly.
  10. Garnish and Serve: Decorate the frosted cake with fresh lime wedges and crushed graham crackers. Store the finished cake in the refrigerator until ready to serve to maintain freshness.

Notes

  • Use fresh lime juice and zest for the best citrus flavor; bottled juice may lack brightness.
  • Chilling the cake layers before frosting helps prevent crumbs from mixing into the frosting and ensures a smooth finish.
  • Whipping egg whites separately and folding them in adds lightness and volume to the cake.
  • The cream cheese frosting is best used at room temperature for easier spreading.
  • Store leftover cake covered in the fridge for up to 3 days to keep it fresh.
  • For a dairy-free version, substitute dairy ingredients accordingly but note it may affect texture and flavor.

Keywords: Key Lime Cake, Citrus Cake, Lime Dessert, Cream Cheese Frosting, Summer Cake, Fresh Lime, Graham Cracker Garnish

Find it online: https://leofoster.com/key-lime-cake-with-lime-cream-cheese-frosting-recipe/