Zesty Key Lime Pie Cake Recipe: Sweet Citrus Magic

Sweet and tangy key lime pie cake brings tropical sunshine to your dessert table.

This zesty creation blends the classic pie’s bright flavors with a moist, tender cake texture.

Creamy lime-infused frosting adds a luxurious touch to every slice.

Tangy key lime pie cake captures the essence of refreshing citrus in a delightful dessert form.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness that dances across your palate.

The recipe combines simple ingredients for an extraordinary treat that will wow friends and family.

Key Lime Pie Cake: Summer On A Plate

• Burst with Tropical Zest: Dive into a refreshing dessert that captures the essence of key lime pie in a stunning cake format, offering a delightful twist on a classic favorite.
• Wow Guests with Showstopper Design: Create an impressive cake that looks professionally crafted with simple decorating techniques like piped frosting, lime slice garnishes, and graham cracker crumb sprinkles.
• Master Baking Techniques Easily: Learn to create a sophisticated dessert with straightforward steps that blend cake-making skills with creative flavor combinations, perfect for bakers of all skill levels.
• Celebrate Any Sweet Moment: Perfect for summer parties, birthdays, potlucks, or when you want to treat yourself to a tangy, creamy dessert that brings instant happiness and excitement to the table.

Stock Up For Key Lime Pie Cake

• Graham Cracker Crumbs: The foundational layer that provides a classic, sweet and crumbly texture to the cake.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust and helps bind the crumbs together.
• Butter (Melted): Creates a rich, cohesive base that holds the graham cracker crumbs in place.

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structural base for the cake's tender crumb.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Essential leavening agents that help the cake rise and become light.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• Lime Zest: Adds bright, intense citrus flavor and aromatic notes to the cake.

• Butter: Creates a rich, tender texture and adds flavor to the cake.
• Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a smooth cake structure.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to the cake's structure.
• Key Lime Juice: Delivers a tangy, distinctive citrus flavor unique to the recipe.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth and complexity to the cake's overall flavor profile.
• Buttermilk: Contributes moisture and helps create a tender, soft cake texture.
• Green Food Coloring (Optional): Provides a visual representation of the key lime flavor.

• Butter (Softened), Cream Cheese: Create a smooth, rich base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
• Key Lime Juice: Adds a bright, tangy flavor to the frosting.
• Lime Zest: Enhances the citrus profile of the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds subtle depth to the frosting's flavor.

• Lime Slices, Additional.

Make This Zesty Key Lime Cake Easily

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Pans

Crank up the oven to a toasty 350°F.

Grab three 8-inch round cake pans and give them a generous coating of grease and flour to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create the Crunchy Crust

Mix together graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter.

Press this delightful mixture firmly into the bottom of each cake pan, creating a crispy foundation.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Freshly grated lime zest

Ensure everything is well blended and lump-free.

Step 4: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and almost cloud-like.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

Step 5: Add Liquid Flavors

Pour in key lime juice and vanilla extract.

Mix until the batter becomes smooth and fragrant.

Step 6: Create Cake Batter

Alternate adding the flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter mixture.

Start and end with the flour mixture.

Mix gently until just combined.

For a vibrant look, add green food coloring until you reach your desired shade.

Step 7: Fill the Pans

Divide the batter evenly among the three prepared cake pans.

Step 8: Bake the Cake Layers

Slide the pans into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes.

Check doneness by inserting a toothpick – it should come out clean.

Let the cakes rest in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Step 9: Whip Up the Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat softened butter and cream cheese until silky smooth.

• Powdered sugar
• Key lime juice
• Lime zest
• Vanilla extract

Beat until the frosting becomes creamy and luscious.

Step 10: Assemble the Cake

Place the first cake layer on a cake stand.

Spread a generous layer of frosting.

Add the second layer and repeat.

Top with the final layer and frost the entire cake.

Step 11: Add the Finishing Touches

Pipe elegant swirls or dollops of frosting on top.

Garnish with fresh lime slices, extra lime zest, and sprinkle crushed graham cracker crumbs for a delightful texture and presentation.

Tips For A Tart, Fluffy Key Lime Cake

• Ensure fresh key limes are used for maximum tangy flavor and brightest citrus notes.
• Mix batter gently and avoid overmixing to maintain a light, fluffy texture that rises perfectly.
• Add green food coloring gradually to achieve a soft pastel lime shade without making it look artificial.
• Press crust mixture firmly into pan edges to create a stable, crisp base that won't crumble when serving.
• Bring cream cheese and butter to room temperature before mixing to guarantee a smooth, lump-free frosting consistency.

Unique Takes On Key Lime Pie Cake

• Gluten-Free Delight: Replace wheat flour with almond or coconut flour for a celiac-friendly version. Use gluten-free graham crackers for the crust to maintain the classic texture.
• Vegan Key Lime Cake: Swap eggs with flax eggs or applesauce. Use coconut cream instead of butter and dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting. Opt for plant-based milk in place of buttermilk.
• Reduced Sugar Option: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia. Use sugar-free graham crackers for the crust. Replace traditional powdered sugar with a low-carb alternative in the frosting.

Key Lime Pie Cake: Serve It Chilled

• Tropical Picnic Perfection: Pack this cake for outdoor gatherings, wrapping individual slices in parchment paper for easy transport and sharing.
• Cocktail Party Companion: Serve small, elegant squares alongside key lime martinis or margaritas to create a cohesive tropical dessert experience.
• Brunch Showstopper: Present this cake as a centerpiece during weekend brunches, pairing beautifully with mimosas and fresh fruit platters for a delightful morning celebration.
• Summer Celebration Special: Ideal for pool parties and backyard barbecues, this cake brings a zesty, refreshing twist to classic dessert tables with its vibrant lime flavor and stunning green hue.

Keeping Key Lime Cake Fresh And Tangy

• Store the key lime pie cake in an airtight container or wrapped tightly with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep the cake away from strong-smelling foods to prevent flavor absorption.
• Wrap the entire unfrosted cake layers individually in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before frosting and serving.
• Cut individual cake slices, wrap each separately in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw individual slices in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours before enjoying.

FAQs

• What are key limes and how do they differ from regular limes?

Key limes are smaller, rounder, and more tart than regular Persian limes. They have a distinctive, more intense citrus flavor that gives this cake its unique tangy taste and aroma.

• Can I substitute key lime juice with regular lime juice?

While you can use regular lime juice, key lime juice provides a more authentic and complex flavor profile. Regular lime juice will still work but might result in a slightly less intense taste.

• Is this cake suitable for people who don't like very sweet desserts?

This cake balances sweetness with tartness from the key lime juice. The graham cracker crust and lime-infused frosting create a balanced flavor that isn’t overly sugary, making it appealing to those who prefer less sweet desserts.

Key Lime Pie Cake Recipe

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4.5 from 31 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Delightful Key Lime Pie Cake blends tropical zest with creamy sweetness, creating a dessert that dances between classic pie and indulgent cake. Refreshing lime notes and silky textures invite you to savor a slice of pure culinary paradise.

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Ingredients

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Cake Base:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs (room temperature)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup key lime juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Zest of 3 limes
• Green food coloring (optional)

Crust:

• 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted)

Frosting and Garnish:

• 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 8 ounces (226 grams) cream cheese (softened)
• 4 cups powdered sugar (sifted)
• 2 tablespoons key lime juice
• 1 tablespoon lime zest
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Additional lime zest
• Thinly sliced lime rounds
• Crushed graham cracker crumbs

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring the surfaces.
2. Create a crisp graham cracker foundation by mixing crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then firmly pressing the mixture into the bottom of each pan.
3. Whisk together dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vibrant lime zest in a medium bowl.
4. Using an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and airy, then incorporate eggs one at a time, ensuring thorough blending after each addition.
5. Infuse the batter with tangy key lime juice and aromatic vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
6. Alternate adding flour mixture and buttermilk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with flour. Mix gently until just incorporated. Optional: Introduce a subtle green hue with food coloring.
7. Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared cake pans, ensuring uniform thickness.
8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow cakes to rest in pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to wire racks for complete cooling.
9. Craft a velvety frosting by whipping softened butter and cream cheese until smooth. Gradually fold in powdered sugar, key lime juice, zesty lime zest, and vanilla extract until creamy.
10. Assemble the cake by layering each cake round, spreading frosting between each layer and covering the entire exterior with the remaining frosting.
11. Elevate the presentation by piping decorative swirls, garnishing with fresh lime slices, additional lime zest, and sprinkled graham cracker crumbs.

Notes

• Swap graham cracker crust with gluten-free cookies for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the classic crumbly texture.
• Use natural food coloring like matcha or spirulina powder instead of artificial green food coloring for a healthier cake appearance.
• Reduce sugar content by replacing half the granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia for a lower-calorie dessert option.
• Enhance moisture by adding a tablespoon of sour cream or Greek yogurt to the batter, preventing the cake from becoming dry during baking.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 461 kcal
• Sugar: 46 g
• Sodium: 217 mg
• Fat: 27 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 53 g
• Fiber: 1.5 g
• Protein: 4 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg