Key Lime Cake

This Key Lime Cake is moist and tender with a buttery crumb, plenty of fresh lime flavor, and a to-die-for luscious lime cream cheese frosting.

Course cake, Dessert, dessert/cake

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword how do you make a key lime cake, how to bake a key lime cake, how to make a key lime cake, how to make key lime cake, key lime cake recipe, recipe for key lime cake

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 30

Cooling Time 1 30

Total Time 2 25

Servings servings

Calories 413kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

Key Lime Cake

2½ cups cake flour
1½ teaspoons baking powder
¾ teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup olive oil
½ cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup whole milk
2 cup granulated sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
3 tablespoons ley lime juice
2 tablespoons key lime zest
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

Key Lime Frosting

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 (8-ounce) box cream cheese, softened and cut into small cubes
1 tablespoon key lime juice
1 teaspoon key lime zest
1-2 pinches salt
4½-5 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F. Grease a 9x13 inch metal baking pan.
Whisk the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a medium bowl.
In a large bowl, combine the olive oil, melted butter, milk, granulated sugar, eggs, key lime juice, key lime zest, and vanilla extract.
Stir the flour mixture into the egg mixture in two increments until combined. Don't overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for several hours.
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment or a handheld mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the cream cheese until smooth. Add the key lime juice, zest, and salt. Add enough powdered sugar to reach the desired consistency. I start with 3 cups and then add ½ cup at a time until I reach the desired consistency.

Notes

Store the cake well covered or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Let individual slices sit for 30 minutes to soften the frosting and to amplify the flavors.

Nutrition