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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and prepare three 8-inch round cake pans by greasing and flouring the surfaces.
- Create a crisp graham cracker foundation by mixing crumbs, sugar, and melted butter, then firmly pressing the mixture into the bottom of each pan.
- Whisk together dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and vibrant lime zest in a medium bowl.
- 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.
- Infuse the batter with tangy key lime juice and aromatic vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- 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.
- Distribute the batter evenly across the prepared cake pans, ensuring uniform thickness.
- 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.
- 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.
- Assemble the cake by layering each cake round, spreading frosting between each layer and covering the entire exterior with the remaining frosting.
- 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