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    Home » Cake » Key Lime Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Icing

    Key Lime Cake Recipe with Cream Cheese Icing

    Published: Mar 13, 2016 · Modified: Jun 10, 2025 by Katrina · This post may contain affiliate links · 10 Comments

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    Easy, delicious, and fluffy Key Lime Cake with cream cheese frosting is guaranteed to become your favorite recipe for all celebrations! This creamy and soft cake is going to satisfy your sweet craving and keep you cool all summer long. Without any effort, make this easy citrus cake and enjoy your tasty treat!

    Key Lime Cake is absolutely perfect for any party or holiday gathering, at any time of the year! It’s fresh, homemade, and a bit tangy. With a well-balanced sweet and sour flavor of the lime and cream cheese frosting!


    Fluffy and Soft Key Lime Cake

    This delicious, moist, and easy key lime cake is bursting with fresh lime flavor and topped with cream cheese frosting.
    A perfectly chilling citrus cake!

    This cake is the perfect balance of sweetness and softness! The cake layers are tender and moist. It is absolutely a must-try recipe to enjoy in all celebrations, or as a sweet treat for your kids. This is a refreshing and moist citrus cake that will absolutely become a crowd-pleaser!

    It is considered an ultimate cooling treat in scorching summer, and a perfect winter delicacy that reminds you of the warm tropical atmosphere. Either way, one bite of this key lime cake will grant you the perfect amount of sweetness after it melts smoothly and completely in your mouth!


    Four Reasons to Love This Cake

    It needs no special equipment, and all of its ingredients are affordable and easy to find! This fruity and citrus key lime cake is perfect for serving indoors and outdoors.

    This cake makes a great springtime dessert! St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and Mother’s Day would be the ideal time to enjoy this cake. This delicious, moist, and easy key lime cake is bursting with fresh lime flavor and topped with cream cheese frosting.

    This beautiful mint-green cake perfectly goes with various colored themed celebrations! For example it can be the main centerpiece of Christmas dinners, weddings, baby showers, and green colored themed birthdays!

    You can bake your cake layers in advance! Frozen cake layers stay fresh for up to three months in the freezer. You just have to thaw the layers and add cream frosting or whipped cream! This way the layers would be less fragile and easily handed.


    A Bright and Flavorful Key Lime Cake

    This delicious, moist, and easy key lime cake is bursting with fresh lime flavor and topped with cream cheese frosting.
    Definitely a piece of heavenly bliss!

    Top Ideas to Decorate Lime Key Cake

    To add an elegant touch, thinly slice a few key limes and decorate the top of your cake. It adds a fresh and citrusy element to the it. You can also dip some slices in sugar syrup or powdered sugar for an extra sweet touch.

    Zest some key lime and sprinkle them on top of the cake and around the edges. The vibrant green zest enhances the colors and adds a beautiful touch to your presentation. Sprinkle the zest right upon serving to maintain its freshness.

    For an extra creamy touch, add a dollop of whipped cream on top of the cake. It provides a creamy and luxurious contrast to the tangy lime flavor. Use a pipe with a star tip for a decorative design.

    Use a cake stand to present the key lime cake to enhance its visual appeal. If you have a special occasion, choose a stand that complements the colors and the theme you choose.


    Tips for the Best Key Lime Cake

    The minimum freezing time is 2 hours. If the pie stays overnight in the fridge, a perfectly smooth aromatic flavors will be totally guaranteed, and a fabulous cake will be enjoyed by everyone.

    It is important to grease the cake pans with cooking spray! This way the cake layers will come out easily out of the pans. You may even put a baking sheet inside the pan to guarantee a good result.

    I would highly suggest using fresh lime juice for this cake! It makes such a difference in the flavor.

    Use a sharp, clean knife to cut clean slices when serving lime key cake. Place each slice on a decorative plate and then dust it with some powdered sugar.

    Here is a very useful tip for unexpected guests! Cut a frozen pie into individual slices and wrap each piece in a separate zipping bag. This way you can pull a few pieces out of the freezer and serve the guests at anytime!


    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the best way to store the key lime cake?

    Keep it in the fridge for 3-4 days, or store it tightly covered in the freezer for weeks.

    Can I freeze the key lime cake?

    Wrap cake layers tightly in plastic zipping bags and store them for three months.

    What can I do if I don’t have key limes?

    If you can’t find key limes, regular limes would be just fine.

    How can I serve the cake?

    It is better to serve the firm and cold cake for the most delicious taste.


    The Best Key Lime Cake Ever

    This delicious, moist, and easy key lime cake is bursting with fresh lime flavor and topped with cream cheese frosting.
    Once you try it, you’ll be addicted!

    Key Lime Cake

    Simple Ingredients That You Need

    For the cake mix

    • Lemon cake mix
    • Eggs
    • Vegetable oil
    • Orange juice
    • Fresh lemon juice
    • Fresh key lime juice
    • Lime Jell-O

    For the cream cheese frosting

    • Cream cheese
    • Butter
    • Powder sugar
    • Vanilla flavor or lemon/lime flavor

    Easy Instructions to Follow

    To make the cake base

    First, preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.

    In a large mixing bowl, add lemon cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, fresh lemon juice, fresh key lime juice, and Lime Jell-O. Whisk these ingredients for about one minute until they are fully combined.

    Next, spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray then, place the batter into baking pans.

    Then, bake for 20-26 minutes. Check the cake’s readiness with a toothpick: if it comes out clean, turn off the oven.

    Cool down the cake layers for 5-10 minutes. Take the layers out of the pans.

    To make cream cheese frosting

    In a large mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla flavor or lemon/lime flavor for 4-5 minutes. Stop whisking when mixture becomes extremely light and fluffy.

    To assemble the key lime cake

    First, remove the cake layers from both pans.

    Then, spread cream cheese frosting on top of one cooled cake layer. Place the other cooled cake layer on top and spread frosting all over it.

    For that special touch, add slices of fresh key lime to the top of the cake, and sprinkle lime zest on top.

    Enjoy the most delicious and flavorful key lime cake! 


    Other Easy and Sweet Recipes for You

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    This fluffy and moist easy lime cake is toped with delicious cream cheese frosting.

    Key Lime Cake

    Katrina
    This creamy and soft key lime cake is going to satisfy your sweet craving and keep you cool in Summer. Without any effort, make this easy citrus cake and enjoy a tasty treat!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 25 minutes mins
    Total Time 40 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Calories 297 kcal

    Equipment

    • 2 of 8-inch pans

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients for the cake mix:

    • 1 box of lemon cake mix
    • 4 large eggs
    • 1 cup of vegetable oil
    • ¾ cup of fresh orange juice
    • 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
    • 2 tablespoons of fresh key lime juice
    • 1 box of Lime Jell-O

    Ingredients for the cream cheese icing:

    • 1 (8 oz) block of cream cheese
    • ½ cup of butter (1 stick)
    • 4 cups of powder sugar
    • 3 tablespoons of vanilla flavor or lemon/lime flavor

    Instructions
     

    Step 1: How to make the cake base:

    • Preheat your oven to 325 degrees F.
    • In a large mixing bowl, add lemon cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, orange juice, fresh lemon juice, fresh key lime juice, and Lime Jell-O. Whisk these ingredients for about one minute.
    • Spray two 8-inch cake pans with nonstick cooking spray. Place batter into baking pans.
    • Bake for 20-26 minutes. Check the cake's readiness with a toothpick: if it comes out clean, turn off the oven.
    • Cool down the cake layers for 5-10 minutes. Take the layers out of the pans.

    Step 2: How to make cream cheese frosting:

    • In a large mixing bowl, mix together cream cheese, butter, powder sugar, and vanilla flavor or lemon/lime flavor for 4-5 minutes. Stop whisking when the mixture becomes extremely light and fluffy.

    Step 3: How to assemble the key lime cake:

    • Remove cake layers from both pans.
    • Spread cream cheese frosting on top of one cooled cake layer. Place the other cooled cake layer on top and spread frosting all over.
    • For that special touch, add slices of fresh key lime to the top of the cake, and sprinkle the top with the lime zest.
    • Enjoy the most delicious and flavorful key lime cake! 

    Notes

    Nutrition Facts:

    Per Serving: protein 2.8g; carbohydrates 32g; fat 18.2g; cholesterol 45.6mg; sodium 189.5mg.
     

    Important Tips:

    • Minimum freezing time is 2 hours. If the pie stays overnight in the fridge, the perfectly smooth aromatic flavors will be totally guaranteed! A fabulous cake will be a delicious treat for everyone.
    • It is important to grease the cake pans with the cooking spray! This way the cake layers will come out easily out of the pans. You may even put baking sheet inside the pan to guarantee the good result.
    • I would highly suggest using fresh lime juice for this cake! It makes such a difference in the flavor.
    • A very useful tip for unexpected guests! Cut a frozen pie into individual slices and wrap each piece in a separate zipping bag. This way you can pull a few pieces out of the freezer and serve the guests anytime!
    Keyword easy lime cake, key lime cake, lime cake

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Marta

      October 10, 2019 at 1:14 pm

      I love key lime so much! Now that summer is gone, I’m going to make this to bring back a little sunshine!

      Reply
    2. LaKita

      October 10, 2019 at 7:08 pm

      This cake looks delicious and perfect for St. Patrick’s Day!

      Reply
    3. Renia Butler

      October 10, 2019 at 8:31 pm

      This is great recipe for St. Patty’s day. My daughter loves all things green too. This will be bookmarked!

      Reply
    4. Tamara J.

      October 11, 2019 at 3:52 pm

      I have never tried key lime cake, but I love key lime pie! This is a great recipe.

      Reply
    5. Mila

      October 12, 2019 at 3:18 pm

      This looks SO delicious! Thank you for sharing this with us <3

      Reply
    6. Jazz

      October 13, 2019 at 3:35 am

      I’ve never thought about key lime flavors in a cake. This sounds fab!

      Reply
      • admin

        October 19, 2019 at 9:41 pm

        Thank you Jazz!!

        Reply
    7. Kenya Rae

      October 14, 2019 at 2:39 am

      My daughter would love this! She likes key lime everything.

      Reply
      • admin

        October 19, 2019 at 9:41 pm

        I hope you try it Kenya!!

        Reply
    8. Aline

      October 14, 2019 at 11:07 pm

      I never heard of key lime cake before, but Im curious to try!

      Reply

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