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.

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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.

What is the difference between a key lime and a lime? ›

Key limes have a flavor that is different from regular limes. They are more acidic and have a more intense, tangy taste – more “lime-y,” if you will. Some people describe the flavor of key limes as slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness. They also have a floral aroma that is more noticeable than regular limes.

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.

Where did key lime cake originate? ›

They say key lime pie originated in Key West some time toward the end of the 1800s. As the story goes, one William Curry, a prominent Key West resident and Bahamian-born immigrant who became Florida's first millionaire, had a cook called “Aunt Sally” who concocted the first pie from key limes.

Can you get key limes in the UK? ›

Upon prior arrangement, we can deliver the key limes to you frozen if you are located in London or the surrounding counties. This is subject to a minimum order value of £300 and an additional delivery charge of £30. Jeruk Nipis, West Indian lime, bartender's lime, omani lime, Mexican lime, dayap and bilolo.

Can you use regular limes for key lime? ›

Unless you live in the Florida Keys, key limes are near impossible to find. Furthermore, they're so tiny that you'd need to juice at least twenty of them for this recipe. No thank you! Ordinary limes make an exceptional Key lime pie, and they are a much better alternative to bracingly tart bottled Key lime juice.

Can I use lime juice instead of key lime juice? ›

(Some residents of the Florida Keys and true Key lime pie aficionados will only use Key limes from the Keys.) If you can't find them anywhere, however, you can substitute a combination of regular fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice in equal proportions.

What does key lime contain? ›

Key lime nutrition is similar to Persian lime, even though it's a smaller fruit. It contains a healthy serving of vitamin C and fiber, with few calories. It also provides health-boosting metabolites, including: alkaloids.

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.

Is key lime sweet or sour? ›

Key limes are tart, sharp and incredibly sour. Pair them with sweet coconut in a scone. At first glance, Key limes are hard to resist. Bright green, shading to lemon yellow, smooth, compact and tiny, they're adorably cute -- yeah, cute, just like a little puppy.

What is so special about key lime pie? ›

Because it is sweet and tart at the same time, and the citrus-y tang is refreshing. What's not to like? It's sweetened key lime juice (not Persian lime juice) and egg yolks, and some lime zest mixed together and baked in a graham-ginger crust.

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