Who says Key Lime has to be a pie? You are gonna fall in love with this easy to make Fresh Key Lime Cake! And here is a secret, you don’t have to use Key Limes...regular old limes work just fine!
We all know about Key Lime Pie – but I like my dessert in cake form. I want cake, cake and more cake! Nothing against all you pie lovers – I got nuthin’ but love for ya. It’s just this thing, this thing with cake, it’s big…and it’s getting bigger! Well everything is gonna get bigger if I don’t stop making cake every weekend…ugh. But I do share, so that makes it okay, right?
Regular limes work for this Fresh Key Lime Cake
just as well!!
and they are a little easier to zest…key limes are tiny little things and you can easily zest your finger tip off. Not a good start to cake day. Cake fixes a lot of things but it won’t make you grow your finger tips back.
Whether you use Key Limes or regular Limes, you are going to love this easy to make fresh cake!
The batter is your basic cake ingredients plus a bit of lime juice and zest.
Ingredients for Key Lime Cake
- butter
- sugar
- eggs
- milk
- flour
- baking powder
- fresh key limes or regular limes
For the frosting – more butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, lime zest and lime juice. (or you can cheat and buy a jar of cream cheese frosting and add the lime….I’ll never tell).
Simply mix up all the cake ingredients and pour into a prepared 9 x 13 pan. In the oven it goes!
Once your cake is baked and cooled, it’s time to slather on the cream cheese and lime frosting. I do so love that word slather….
Now zest some additional lime to decorate. I found this cool little tool in my bar stuff. It made little confetti looking lime strips!
Chubby fingers make great cake and they hold a lot of frosting for extra taste testing!
And now to do what I do best….EAT CAKE! We love the fresh taste. No ultra green color added. You don’t want your cake to look neon.
More easy cake recipes we think you will love –
- Easy Strawberry Cake – One bowl, any fruit will work. I make this the often.
- Chocolate Cherry Cake – a sheet pan cake that comes together easily.
- Cinnamon Roll Cake – when you want cake for breakfast and dessert.
- Fresh Orange Cake – delicious and simple.
Here is to cake and all it does!
LET’S EAT!
Kathi and Rachel
What do you think about this recipe? Have questions? Comment below! Don’t forget to like us on Facebook, and connect with us on Instagram and tag your @Laughingspatula recipes with #laughingspatula,while you’re at it…We love to see your pics!
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Fresh Key Lime Cake!
Ingredients
For Cake
- 3/4 cup butter softened
- 1 2/3 cups granulated white sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh key lime juice or regular lime juice
- 2 teaspoons fresh key lime zest or regular limes
- 2 3/4 cups all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
For Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter softened
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 2 cups confectioners sugar
- 2 teaspoons key lime zest, plus more for garnish
- 4 tablespoons fresh key lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray a 9" x 13" pan with non-stick spray.
- Mix together butter and sugar. Add eggs one at a time.
- Add milk, vanilla, lime juice, lime zest to combine.
- Add flour, baking powder and salt.
- Mix with electric mixer until well blended
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool cake and frost with Fresh Lime Frosting.
- For Fresh Lime Frosting
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and cream cheese with an electric mixer. Add lime juice and lime zest. With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar a cup at a time until smooth and creamy.
- Spread on cooled cake and garnish with additional lime zest.
Notes
Nutrition
Connie Miranda-Ramirez says
Just made this and it came out amazing. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe with us ????
Karen says
If I make cupcakes, how long does it take to bake them?
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
12-15 minutes. Use a toothpick to insert into the center. When it comes out clean, your cupcakes are done!
Diana Lopes says
This looks heavenly! Looking forward to prepare this over here, everyone will love it!
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
We hope you get a chance to try it Diana!
Mona Moyer says
This cake and icing recipe are the BOMB! And I.evn used gluten free flour! I seriously may poke a couple of holes in it and add a little tequila for a margarita cake as you suggested Kathi!
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
Way to take advantage of National Margarita Day! Thanks for posting the pic on FB too! You totally rocked’ that cake!
Katze says
I must have made the frosting wrong as it turned out more like a glaze – albeit a delicious one, haha. Regardless, the cake, which I layered, cake out amazingly! My kids love it as well, and it’s definitely a nice change from the classic pie. This whole cake is light and refreshing
Katze says
I just realised it must be because I added more lime juice than required. Duh. Works for me. xD
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
ha ha! I am just glad you liked it!
Jackie Girgenti says
Hi Kathy! Can I make the cake in two 9 inch pans for layers instead of 9×13?
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
Yes. One recipe for a 9 x 13 pan will convert to two 9″ pans. Watch the timer though, will take less time.
Kat says
How many people would it serve?
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
You would probably get about 20 pieces of cake depending on how big you sliced them. 5 down the side and 4 across should be about right. Thanks!
Jane says
I made this cake and I must say, it was delicious! It bakes up perfectly and is very substantial and hearty. The frosting is the livin’ end, if you like a little tang. I love this cake! My family loves this cake. This one’s going in my recipe box.
Kathi @ LaughingSpatula.com says
That is awesome to hear! Thanks so much for the note!
Jane says
Of course!. This cake is for entertaining; which I intend to use it for. Thanks for posting it!
Davina says
I don’t know why but mine keeps sinking. I have a convectional oven so converted 350 to celcius which I make as 190 . I’ve had 3 attempts today and every time the middle doesn’t cook. Any tips
Patricia @ Pollywog Creek says
This cake looks perfectly delightful and I’m making it right now for a birthday party later today, but I have a question about the frosting recipe. The list of ingredients include lime juice and zest, but in the instructions under that list, you don’t mention those ingredients, but you mention adding vanilla – and there’s no vanilla listed in the ingredients for the frosting. Can you please clarify? Thank you.
Kathi Kirk says
Argh! My goof and I was out of town and couldn’t respond in time. I updated the recipe to read ‘add in lime zest and juice’ in stead of vanilla. I hope you were able to make it work!
Kathi
comforty says
Confused. The recipe is incomplete. The frosting directions are incomplete
Kathi Kirk says
Could you be more specific. I don’t see a problem. The instructions for the frosting are under “Frosting”. You might be looking for them under ‘Instructions’ – which I will admit is confusing. But from what I can see they are all there. Let me know if you are still having problems.
Thanks,
Kathi
Nadine says
I am going to make this over the weekend! My key lime tree had a ton of ripe limes and I zested and juiised all afternoon! Thanks for shareing I will get back to you on the taste but as a baker I know this will work!
Pat says
Mmmmm, good! Kathi, you have me drooling. This is a great switch from the pie and I love it! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
dina says
i love key lime. it looks yummy!
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
Yum! I don’t think I’ve ever had key lime cake, and boy am I craving this right now… 🙂 Pinned it!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
What a great idea! I love key lime pie, but I almost love cake more. Can’t wait to try this!