The Best Key Lime Cake Recipe (2024)

Hello!

I’m feeling “foodie” today, and it’s been years since I first blogged about Kevin’s mom’s key lime cake recipe, so I thought I’d post it again for anyone who didn’t catch it the first time around. It’s soooo delicious! She usually makes it in a two-inch deep, 9×13 pan, but for this post, she made the stacked version. (She doesn’t adjust any of the measurements. She simply uses a the9×13 pan.) You can also make this recipe into cupcakes, too!

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Here are the directions, straight from Katie’s kitchen…

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For the cakes-

Step 1: Prepare three round 9″ pans by lining the bottoms of each with 9″ circles of wax paper.

Step 2: Grease the wax paper with Pam and then sprinkle with flour.

Step 3: Mix the cake mix, lime jello, oil, eggs, orange juice and water together for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed.

Step 4: Pour an equal amount of the batter into each of the three lined cake pans.

Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

The Best Key Lime Cake Recipe (3)

For the glaze-

Step 6: While the cakes are baking, knead two key limes against a hard surface to loosen the juice inside of them.

Step 7: Cut each of the limes in half.

Step 8: Squeeze 1/4 cup of fresh key lime juice into a small bowl.

Step 9: Pour 1/4 cup of bottled lime juice into the bowl of fresh lime juice.

Step 10: Mix in 4 tbsp. of confectioners sugar.

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(I love that the confectioners sugar fell into the bowl in the shape of a heart in step 10!)

When the cakes come of out the oven, and while they’re still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze mixture onto the entire surface of each of them.

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For the icing-

Step 11: Mix the margarine and cream cheese together.

Step 12: Mix in the remainder of the box of confectioners sugar.

Step 13: Add the vanilla, and mix until it’s smooth.

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Step 14: Remove the first cake from its pan, discard the wax paper on the bottom of it, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.

Step 15: Remove and stack the second (wax paperless) cake on top of the first one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.

Step 16: Remove and stack the third (wax paperless) cake on top of the second one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it. Use the remaining icing to cover the sides of the cake.

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Place the cake in the refrigerator to keep the icing firm.

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OR immediately cut and serve up several large pieces to your famished family.

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If you have any questions about the recipe (or would just like to say hello to Katie!) please feel free to leave her a comment on this post!

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Enjoy your weekend, friends!
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PS- I’ve attached a printable version of the recipe below:

Print

Key Lime Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 box of lemon cake mix
  • 1 - 3 oz. box of lime jello
  • 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup of orange juice
  • 3/4 cup of water
  • 1 box confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 cup of key lime juice (bottled)
  • 1/4 cup of key lime juice (fresh)
  • 8 oz. of cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 stick of margarine (softened)
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla flavoring

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare three round 9" pans by lining the bottoms of each with 9" circles of wax paper.
  2. Step 2: Grease the wax paper with Pam and then sprinkle with flour.
  3. Step 3: Mix the cake mix, lime jello, oil, eggs, orange juice and water together for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed.
  4. Step 4: Pour an equal amount of the batter into each of the three lined cake pans.
  5. Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
  6. For the glaze-
  7. Step 6: While the cakes are baking, knead two key limes against a hard surface to loosen the juice inside of them.
  8. Step 7: Cut each of the limes in half.
  9. Step 8: Squeeze 1/4 cup of fresh key lime juice into a small bowl.
  10. Step 9: Pour 1/4 cup of bottled lime juice into the bowl of fresh lime juice.
  11. Step 10: Mix in 4 tbsp. of confectioners sugar.
  12. When the cakes come of out the oven, and while they're still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze mixture onto the entire surface of each of them.
  13. When the cakes come of out the oven, and while they're still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze mixture onto the entire surface of each of them.
  14. Step 11: Mix the margarine and cream cheese together.
  15. Step 12: Mix in the remainder of the box of confectioners sugar.
  16. Step 13: Add the vanilla, and mix until smooth.
  17. Step 14: Remove the first cake from its pan, discard the waxpaper on the bottom of it, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.
  18. Step 15: Remove and stack the second (wax paperless) cake on top of the first one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.
  19. Step 16: Remove and stack the third (wax paperless) cake on top of the second one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it. Use the remaining icing to cover the sides of the cake.
  20. Place the cake in the refrigerator to keep the icing firm.

https://theletteredcottage.net/best-key-lime-cake-recipe/

The Best Key Lime Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is key lime cake made of? ›

For the Key Lime Cake

In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and gelatin, and mix well. In a medium sized bowl, mix the eggs, oil, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture and mix until just incorporated.

How many carbs are in key lime cake? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
477Calories
30gFat
50gCarbs
4gProtein
Mar 20, 2024

Why pound cakes get their name from the fact that they are always baked in 1 pound size loaf pans? ›

The name (Pound Cake) comes from the fact that the original pound cakes contained one pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. No leaveners were used other than the air whipped into the batter. In the days when many people could not read, this simple convention made it simple to remember recipes.

What makes key lime flavor? ›

The Key lime has thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic and more aromatic than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). It is valued for its characteristic flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie.

What's the difference between a sweet lime and a key lime? ›

Key limes are smaller and contain more seeds than Persian limes. And while Persian limes have thick, bright green skin, a Key lime's skin is thin and tends to be a little on the yellow side.

How much sugar is in a slice of key lime pie? ›

Nutritional Information & Ingredient Listing. Key Lime Pie: (4.2 oz (119g)) calories 410, calories from fat 250g, total fat 28g, saturated fat 16g, trans fat 0g, cholesterol 180mg, sodium 115mg, total carbohydrate 38g, dietary fiber 0g, sugars 30g, protein 4g, vitamin a 20%, vitamin c 2%, calcium 4%, iron 6%.

Do key limes have sugar? ›

SNAPSHOT. Description: Key limes, also called Mexican limes, are small (1-2″), round, thin-skinned yellowish fruit with a brisk, unique flavor compared to other limes. The key lime usually has a more tart and bitter flavor than other limes. Compared to lemons, key limes have a higher sugar and citric acid content.

How much sugar is in key lime cheesecake? ›

Nutritional Information
Table of Nutritional InformationPer serving
Carbohydrate (g)27
Dietary Fiber (g)0
Total Sugars (g)20
Protein (g)6
9 more rows

Why is my pound cake always dry? ›

The ratio of wet to dry ingredients determines a cake's moisture level. If there's simply too much flour and not enough butter, a cake will taste dry. On the other hand, if there's too much milk and not enough flour, a cake will taste too wet. Finding the right balance between wet and dry ingredients is key.

What makes a pound cake fall apart? ›

Extra sugar or leavening causes a cake to fall; extra flour makes it dry.

What causes a pound cake to be gummy? ›

Those gluey pound cake streaks happen when your over-cream the butter and sugar. The cake rises in the oven and then it quickly collapses a bit while cooling which causes those gummy streaks. To prevent this, use a low speed with creaming and do so just until combined and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

What is key lime pie filling made of? ›

Key lime pie ingredients are simple: sweetened condensed milk, lots of lime zest and juice (preferably from key limes), and just enough egg to give it a good set. Pour the filling into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, bake briefly until the pie is set, and let it chill. Top the pie with whipped cream and serve.

What does key lime dessert taste like? ›

What does key lime pie taste like? Citrusy, sweet, and tart are the three words that come to mind when I think of key lime pie. Traditional key lime pie filling contains key lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks giving it a sweet and slightly bitter flavor.

What is key lime fudge made of? ›

How do you make Key Lime Fudge? Evaporated milk, sugar and salt are heated together in a saucepan and boiled for 8 minutes. Once that mixture has boiled for several minutes, it'll be piping hot. At that point, you'll pull the pan off the stove and stir in marshmallows, white chocolate, lime zest and lime juice.

What's the difference between key lime pie and cheesecake? ›

The main difference between key lime pie and cheesecake is the type of filling used. Key lime pie is made with key lime juice and sweetened condensed milk, while the cheesecake is made with cream cheese, sugar, and eggs. This difference in ingredients gives the two desserts a distinct flavor and texture.

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