Easy Key Lime Cake

Get ready to indulge in a zesty, tantalizing delight with this easy key lime cake recipe. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a refreshing dessert, this moist and flavorful cake is perfect. It’s topped with a creamy key lime cream cheese frosting that will satisfy your taste buds.

The recipe uses a cake mix as a shortcut, making it quick and easy to prepare. The key to this key lime cake’s success is the perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors. This is achieved through the use of fresh key lime zest and juice.

Key Takeaways

• Easy key lime cake recipe that uses a cake mix as a shortcut
• Moist and flavorful cake with a tangy key lime cream cheese frosting
• Perfect balance of sweet and tart flavors from key lime zest and juice
• Ideal for special occasions or a refreshing dessert craving
• Quick and easy to prepare, with a total time of just 55 minutes

What is a Key Lime Cake?

A key lime cake is a sweet treat with a tangy twist. It uses the zest and juice of key limes, giving it a unique taste. The cake is moist and sweet, paired with a tangy frosting for the perfect mix.

Rich, Tangy Flavor

Key limes are tinier and pack a more intense aroma compared to regular limes. Their juice adds a zesty kick to desserts. This makes the cake refreshing and full of flavor.

Perfect Balance of Sweet and Tart

The cake and frosting together create a delightful taste experience. The cake’s sweetness is balanced by the tangy frosting. This makes the cake a refreshing treat for any time.

The stats show what’s in a key lime cake. They help you understand the cake’s nutritional value. This info is useful for those watching their diet but still want to enjoy a treat.

Ingredients for the Cake

This key lime cake recipe uses a simple cake mix as a base. It’s made better with a few special ingredients. Gelatin adds a tender, moist crumb. Oil and eggs prevent the cake from drying out.

The key lime flavor comes from fresh lime juice. A bit of orange juice balances the tartness.

Cake Mix and Gelatin

The cake starts with a classic yellow cake mix. To make it even better, add a package of unflavored gelatin. The gelatin makes the cake soft and tender, perfect for the tangy key lime.

Oil, Eggs, and Citrus Juices

You’ll also need oil, eggs, key lime juice, and a bit of orange juice. These ingredients keep the cake moist. They also add that amazing key lime flavor. Together, they make a delicious, homemade-tasting cake.

Baking Instructions

To start, mix the key lime cake mix and gelatin in a big bowl. Next, add the vegetable oil, eggs, orange juice, and fresh key lime juice. Beat everything together until it’s smooth and ready for the oven.

Preparing the Batter

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease three 8-inch round baking pans.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the key lime cake mix and gelatin. Whisk to blend.
3. Add the vegetable oil, eggs, orange juice, and fresh key lime juice to the dry ingredients.
4. Beat the batter on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed, until it’s smooth and well-combined.

Baking and Cooling

Time to bake! Divide batter in pans, bake 30-35 mins till a toothpick is clean. Cool in pans 10 mins, then transfer to a rack to cool fully.

With the cake layers baked and cooled, you’re ready for the next step. Assemble and frost the cake following the instructions for the best results.

Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

The key lime cream cheese frosting is a perfect match for the moist key lime cake. It’s creamy and tangy, balancing the cake’s sweetness. To make it, beat softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Then, add powdered sugar and key lime juice slowly.

Creamy and Tangy

The frosting’s creamy texture comes from the cream cheese and tangy key lime juice. The powdered sugar adds sweetness, balancing the tartness. This frosting is indulgent and refreshing, making the cake look and taste amazing.

To make the frosting, you’ll need:

• 16 oz (2 packages) of softened cream cheese
• 1 1/2 sticks (170g) of unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups (400g) of powdered sugar
• 1/3 cup (110g) of key lime juice concentrate

With a few simple steps, you can make this delicious frosting. It will elevate your key lime cake and impress your guests.

Tips for Frosting a Layer key lime cake

Frosting a layer key lime cake needs a few steps for a smooth finish. First, level the cake layers to make them flat. This helps the frosting spread evenly and avoids air bubbles. Use a serrated knife or cake leveler to trim the tops, making sure they’re level.

Then, put the first layer on a turntable or cake board. Spread frosting on top with an offset spatula, making sure it reaches the edges. Stack the rest of the layers, adding frosting between each one. This keeps the cake stable and prevents it from sliding.

1. Level the cake layers to create a flat surface.
2. Place the first layer on a turntable or cake board.
3. Smooth a layer of frosting onto the first layer.
4. Evenly stack the remaining layers, adding frosting between each one.

Once the cake is assembled, spread a thin crumb coat on the sides and top. This seals in crumbs and makes a smooth base for the final frosting. Refrigerate the cake for at least 30 minutes to firm up the crumb coat.

Once the crumb coat is set, add a thicker layer of frosting. Use the offset spatula to smooth it out. This will give your key lime cake a professional finish.

Remember, patience and detail are key for a great frosted key lime cake. Take your time and follow these tips for a stunning result. With practice, you’ll frost layer cakes like a pro!

Decorating Ideas

Make your key lime cake shine with these easy yet stylish decorating tips. Add a light touch with whipped cream swirls or a crunchy layer with graham cracker crumbs. These ideas will help your cake stand out.

Whipped Cream Swirls

Top your key lime cake with fluffy whipped cream swirls for a light finish. The cool, creamy texture pairs well with the tangy key lime. To make whipped cream, beat heavy cream with sugar and vanilla until stiff peaks form. Use a piping bag or spoon to create decorative swirls around the cake.

Graham Cracker Crumbs

Give your cake a key lime pie look by coating it with graham cracker crumbs. The crunchy texture contrasts beautifully with the moist cake. Press the crumbs onto the cake’s sides, letting some spill over for a rustic look.

These decorating tricks will make your key lime cake a showstopper. Choose between the airy whipped cream swirls or the crunchy graham cracker crumbs. Either way, your guests will be wowed by your baking talent.

Serving and Storage

When serving your key lime cake, keep a few tips in mind. It’s best enjoyed chilled. The creamy frosting and whipped cream topping are perfect when cold. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

To serve, just slice it into portions. Enjoy the refreshing, zesty flavor .You can additionally freeze it for as long as 2 months . Thaw it in the fridge overnight before serving.

Follow these simple how to serve key lime cake and how to store key lime cake tips. Your cake will stay delicious for days. Enjoy it chilled or as a frozen treat.

Variations and Substitutions

Using Regular Limes

Key limes are the traditional choice for this recipe. But, you can use regular limes if key limes are hard to find. The flavor will be a bit different, but the cake will still taste great.

Just swap the key lime juice and zest with regular lime in the recipe. The cake and frosting might look a bit different. But, they’ll still be citrusy and perfect for any event.

Using regular limes? Start with the recipe’s sugar, taste, and adjust for the perfect sweet-tart balance.

This recipe is versatile, letting you try your own twist on the classic key lime cake. With a few tweaks, you can make a dessert that’s just as tasty as the original.