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    Home » Recipes » Cakes + Cupcakes

    Key Lime Cake

    Published: Apr 3, 2019 by Melissa Stadler · This post may contain affiliate links · 137 Comments

    50109 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! www.modernhoney.com #limecake #keylimecake #citruscake

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

    Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting!

    I work long and hard to perfect my cake recipes. I take baking cakes pretty seriously and want to pass on these tried and true recipes to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren...so they better be perfect!

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! www.modernhoney.com #limecake #keylimecake #citruscake

    I have been baking since the time I could climb up on a stool and help my Mom in the kitchen. Baking cakes and cookies for my friends and family have always been my favorite thing to bake! I shared how my kids get to choose the flavor of their birthday cake every year and they get pretty creative! Since my daughter, Sadie, is obsessed with anything lime flavored, I knew this had to be her special birthday cake.

    This is literally one of my husband's favorite cakes I have ever made. It is seriously the best lime cake!

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! www.modernhoney.com #limecake #keylimecake #citruscake

    We just returned home from a Caribbean cruise with the family and had the best time! It was so nice to be away from cellphones and laptops and reconnects as a family.  My kids felt like Kings and Queens with access to unlimited food and drinks! Our favorite virgin non-alcoholic drink was definitely the mojito -- made with fresh lime juice and mint. This drink was definitely the inspiration for this fresh key lime cake!

    This Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting can be made as a layered cake with two 9-inch cake pans or three 8-inch cake pans or in a 9 x 13 pan.

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! www.modernhoney.com #limecake #keylimecake #citruscake

    How to make the Best Key Lime Cake (the best tips and tricks):

    1. Whip oil, eggs, whole milk, lime juice, and lemon zest for about 2-3 minutes.  I would highly suggest using FRESH lime juice for this cake. It makes such a difference in the flavor. Also, zest the limes first before juicing since it is much easier to zest while the limes are hard and round.
    2. Fold in dry ingredients. Pour into greased cake pans. It is so important to grease the cake pans well so the cakes easily come out of the pans. You can choose to use two 9-inch cake pans or three 8-inch cake pans, depending on preference. If you use three 8-inch pans, the layers will be thinner and will need less baking time. This can also be made in a 9 x 13 pan.
    3. After cakes have baked, set aside to cool. Make frosting by whipping softened cream cheese and butter for 4 minutes until light and fluffy. This makes the frosting extra light.  Add powdered sugar and whip for 1 minute.  If you want a stiffer frosting, add more powdered sugar.  Fold in lime juice and lime zest.
    4. Remove cakes from pan. Spread frosting on top of one cooled cake layer. Place the other cooled cake layer on top and spread frosting all over. I use this angled spatula to spread frosting all over the cake layers. Garnish with freshly sliced limes.

    If you love cakes, here are some of the most popular cake recipes:

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    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! www.modernhoney.com #limecake #keylimecake #citruscake

    I love to hear from you! If you make this recipe, please be sure to leave a comment and give this recipe a rating. Sign up for my newsletter below so you never miss a recipe. Thank you for following along! I truly do have the greatest readers. FOLLOW ME ON:   INSTAGRAM --- FACEBOOK --- PINTEREST

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! www.modernhoney.com #limecake #keylimecake #citruscake

    Key Lime Cake

    Key Lime Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. Moist key lime cake with sweet cream cheese frosting. A light and fluffy citrus lime cake with the perfect lime buttercream frosting! The BEST Lime Cake Recipe! 
    4.93 from 92 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 20 minutes mins
    Total Time 35 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 16

    Equipment

    • 3 8 inch round cake pan
    • 2 9 inch round cake pans
    • 1 kitchenaid mixer
    • 1 measuring cups and spoons
    • 1 spatula set

    Ingredients
      

    Key Lime Cake:

    • 1 cup Canola or Olive Oil
    • 3 large Eggs
    • 1 ⅓ cup Whole Milk
    • 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Zest
    • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
    • 2 cups Sugar
    • 2 cups Flour
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 1 teaspoon Salt

    Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:

    • ½ cup Butter (softened)
    • 8 ounce Cream Cheese (softened)
    • 4 - 4 ½ cups Powdered Sugar
    • 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
    • ½ teaspoon Fresh Lime Zest
    • Fresh Limes (sliced for garnish)

    Instructions
     

    • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
    • In a large mixing bowl, add oil, eggs, whole milk, lime zest, and lime juice. Cream for 2 minutes.
    •  In a large bowl, add sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Stir into egg mixture and fold. 
    • Spray two 9-inch or three 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Place batter into baking pans. If using three 8-inch pans, bake for 20-26 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. If using two 9-inch pans, bake for 30-36 minutes. Cool.

    To make Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:

    • In a large bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese for 4-5 minutes until light and fluffy, scraping sides of bowl often. Add powdered sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and cream together. Chill.
    • Remove cakes from pan. Spread frosting on top of one cooled cake layer. Place the other cooled cake layer on top and spread frosting all over. Garnish with fresh lime slices. 

    Video

    Keyword key lime cake
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Mari

      December 09, 2022 at 5:57 am

      Can cake flour be used and buttermilk?

      Reply
    2. Cardig

      October 16, 2022 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      I made this today. I used the bottled Key Lime juice instead of fresh lime juice. I altered the frosting to my personal preference: only used 3 C. powdered sugar, and used 4 T. of the key lime juice. Delicious!

      Reply
    3. debra

      September 12, 2022 at 1:02 pm

      Why is this called key lime cake when it uses regular limes? Key limes are so much different.

      Reply
      • Carolynne Murphy

        October 16, 2022 at 3:43 pm

        I just made this cake and used bottled Key Lime Juice. As my cake is presently in the oven, I'm concerned that the instructions didn't call for the pans to be floured, it just called for the pans to be sprayed with non-stick cooking spray.

        Reply
        • Diane

          October 29, 2022 at 11:06 am

          5 stars
          Lovely cake a bit too much sugar for my taste so I reduced it by half cup . Really moist

          Reply
          • Shemika Fambro

            January 29, 2023 at 10:58 am

            What kind of flour do you use

            Reply
        • Shannon

          December 11, 2022 at 11:29 am

          5 stars
          I love Key Lime cake....especially when someone else bakes it. Ha! I have only baked this type of cake once before and that recipe called for a box of lemon cake mix and lime gelatin. It was easier and it tasted decent. I was a little intimidated by this recipe and honestly, if I had any gelatin in the Pantry, I would have probably used that same recipe. I mean, I had never zested any thing in my life. 😳
          🥴 Let me tell you, though. This is the BEST Keylime Cake that I have ever eaten in my life, and I made it! 😁
          Kudos for a GREAT recipe!

          Reply
          • Modern Honey

            December 14, 2022 at 9:06 am

            Oh Shannon, you just made my day! That is so awesome!! I laughed out loud that this is your first time zesting. I feel honored. I am so happy you loved the key lime cake recipe!

            Reply
      • natalie

        January 23, 2023 at 5:11 pm

        I was wondering the same thing. Also wondering if there is anywhere in the Philly area that sells fresh key limes (which I grew up eating, my mom being from Key West).

        Reply
    4. Sara

      September 11, 2022 at 9:30 pm

      Does this recipe freeze well after its baked?

      Reply
    5. Louise

      September 09, 2022 at 6:30 am

      Hi I live in the Uk and was wondering what the weight are as I don’t use cups? Can’t wait to make this thank you

      Reply
      • Julie

        October 07, 2022 at 9:59 am

        Louise,
        1 Cup = 8 fluid ounces or 240 ml. 1 Tablespoon = 15 ml. 1 teaspoon = 5 ml. 1 Cup all purpose flour weighs 155 gm. 1 Cup Sugar weighs 260 gm. I hope this helps!
        JULIE (Pharmacy Background)

        Reply
        • BEA

          November 26, 2022 at 12:12 am

          5 stars
          Julie, 1 cup flour 120 gms, 1 cup sugar 200 gms. Your measurements are way off.. sorry.

          Reply
          • Nancy\

            March 12, 2023 at 1:38 pm

            I was about to ask the same question!

            Reply
      • BEA

        November 26, 2022 at 12:07 am

        5 stars
        Louise, if you live in the UK then just Google the conversion chart. It's super easy. That's what I do. I live in the USA but only bake by weight also so that it's more accurate & comes out perfect every time. Hope this helps!

        Reply
    6. Becky

      August 25, 2022 at 12:21 am

      5 stars
      Fabulous moist cake, super easy to make, and needs no substitutions, deletions, or additions

      Reply
      • Modern Honey

        August 26, 2022 at 8:16 am

        5 stars
        Thank you so much, Becky, for taking the time to comment and for trying out my lime cake recipe. So happy you loved it!

        Reply
    7. Tyr

      August 13, 2022 at 10:51 pm

      4 stars
      Really good! I only had 1 lime but that's all I needed. I'd probably use half a cup less sugar next time , just cuz this is so sticky and the edges got crispy from the sugar melting (which I like but can be a bit much.) I halved the frosting and just covered the middle and top, used some lime concentrate for that and didnt measure the sugar, just added it till the consistency+taste was right, Delicious! Will try again in the future

      Reply
      • Modern Honey

        August 26, 2022 at 8:17 am

        5 stars
        Thank you so much for trying out my key lime cake recipe! I am glad you will make it again in the future. I appreciate it!

        Reply
    8. Belinda

      August 08, 2022 at 2:24 am

      5 stars
      I used 1 1/2 cups of plain gluten free flour and 1/4 cup of besan flour and it turned out amazing! So happy.....not a dry gluten free cake , like many are.

      Reply
      • Modern Honey

        August 26, 2022 at 8:18 am

        5 stars
        Hi Belinda! I love that you make it into a gluten-free key lime cake and turned out amazing. I love to hear that and thank you so much for sharing and taking the time to comment.

        Reply
    9. Wraithy

      July 30, 2022 at 10:44 am

      5 stars
      This recipe is really good. I did add a bit of vanilla powder/paste and some lime green food gel to it. Lime cake needs to be green. 😉
      I did change up the frosting for my key lime pie ‘cake filling’, which is a more liquidy ‘filling’ but not nearly as sweet as frosting.

      Reply
      • Modern Honey

        August 26, 2022 at 8:19 am

        5 stars
        That's a great idea to add some green food coloring to give it that extra green color. Thank you so much for sharing that tip and for trying my lime cake recipe!

        Reply
    10. JoAnne

      June 26, 2022 at 4:12 pm

      5 stars
      Thank you, Modern Honey, for this recipe, it's delicious 😋 my husband loves it! I added just a drop of green food coloring to the batter and the frosting, beautiful!

      Reply
    11. Nicole

      June 04, 2022 at 4:41 pm

      4 stars
      I made a gluten free, vegan version of this cake and I cut back on the sugar for the frosting. Also, I added some coconut to both cake and frosting. Let me tell you, I got such awesome reviews and demands to make it again for our next Sabbath gathering.

      Reply
      • Jenny

        December 02, 2022 at 7:05 pm

        Can I use this recipe for cupcakes?

        Reply
    12. Tina

      May 24, 2022 at 3:03 pm

      5 stars
      WOW! Such a moist cake. Definitely had more then one slice!

      Reply
    13. Andrea S

      May 23, 2022 at 3:06 pm

      5 stars
      I didn't use the frosting recipe , though the cake was ABSOLUTELY Delish! A heavy cake with a lot of moisture. Thank you!

      Reply
    14. Bridget

      April 18, 2022 at 5:28 am

      5 stars
      Wow! I made this cake for Easter to impress my father in law, and he is not a cake guy, but he loves key lime pie. He also usually doesn't like frosting, and he polished his plate clean! The cake kept great in the fridge, and was sturdy enough for a 1 hour car ride over Massachusetts' finest potholes not to slide. I'll be making this one again!

      Reply
    15. Katie

      January 31, 2022 at 3:04 am

      5 stars
      I made this cake on the weekend and it was delicious! My husband said it was the best cake I have ever baked, and everyone who had a slice couldn't stop singing its praises! I will definitely be baking this again.

      Reply
    16. Marilyn

      January 16, 2022 at 5:51 pm

      5 stars
      Made this today for a birthday celebration. Substituted grapeseed oil for the olive oil. This cake was a hit! Every person loved it. I will definitely be making this cake again. Fabulously light cake.

      Reply
    17. Ruth

      December 31, 2021 at 4:17 pm

      I want to try this recipe but I notice it is called key lime but you use limes and not key limes…is this a misprint?

      Reply
    18. Ruby Hutchinson

      December 22, 2021 at 10:28 am

      Can I substitute the lime for lemon to make a lemon cake

      Reply
    19. Sharon E

      December 17, 2021 at 8:45 pm

      5 stars
      I made this key lime cake and it is absolutely delicious! My whole family loves it. Thks so much for your recipe. Sharon is happy in Alabama.

      Reply
    20. Sandra Sykes

      November 24, 2021 at 7:45 pm

      Seen your recipe on key lime cake sounds delicious, plus you had several positive post about how tasty it is .I was just going to use a box cake that calls for lime jello. But your cake recipe made my mouth water. Wish me luck,????

      Reply
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    Melissa Stadler Modern Honey

    Hi, I'm Melissa Stadler! I am an Award-Winning Recipe Creator. Cover of Food Network Magazine. Two-Time Pillsbury Bake-Off Finalist. I am passionate about sharing the best recipes so you have success in the kitchen!

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