Hamdi Saidani This Pioneer Woman Key Lime Cake is a moist and tangy recipe, which is made with fresh lime juice and zest. It’s the perfect dessert for a summer gathering, ready in about an hour.
Pioneer Woman Key Lime Cake Ingredients
A bright, citrusy blend for a refreshing layer cake.
For the Key Lime Cake:
- 1 cup Canola or Vegetable Oil
- 3 large Eggs
- 1 1/3 cup Whole Milk
- 2 Tablespoons Fresh Lime Zest
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
- 2 cups Sugar
- 2 cups Flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For the Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup Butter, softened
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
- 4 – 4 1/2 cups Powdered Sugar
- 1 Tablespoon Fresh Lime Juice
- 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Lime Zest
- Fresh Limes, sliced for garnish
How To Make Pioneer Woman Key Lime Cake
A step-by-step guide to this zesty and delicious cake.
- Prep the Oven and Pans: Preheat your oven to 325°F. Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans by spraying them with nonstick cooking spray.
- Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add the oil, eggs, whole milk, lime zest, and lime juice. Beat with a mixer for 2 minutes until well combined and creamy.
- Combine and Bake: In a separate large bowl, whisk together the sugar, flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix. Divide the batter evenly between the two prepared cake pans. Bake for 30-36 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cakes cool completely in the pans.
- Make the Lime Cream Cheese Frosting: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together for 4-5 minutes, until light and fluffy, scraping the sides of the bowl often. Add the powdered sugar, lime juice, and lime zest, and continue to beat until everything is smooth and creamy. Chill the frosting for a bit if it seems too soft.
- Assemble the Cake: Once the cake layers are completely cool, carefully remove them from the pans. Place one layer on a serving platter and spread a generous amount of frosting on top. Place the second cake layer on top of the first, then use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides of the entire cake. Garnish with fresh lime slices before serving.
Recipe Tips
For the most flavorful and moist Key Lime Cake.
- Can I use Key Limes? Absolutely! While the recipe works with regular (Persian) limes, Key limes will provide a more intense, aromatic, and authentic flavor. You will need more of them to get the same amount of juice and zest.
- How to get the most juice from a lime? Before cutting it, firmly roll the lime on the countertop under the palm of your hand. This helps to break down the membranes inside and makes it easier to extract all the juice.
- Why use oil instead of butter in the cake? Oil-based cakes are known for their incredibly moist and tender texture. The oil helps to keep the cake soft and fresh for several days.
- How to prevent a dense cake? The most common culprits for a dense cake are over-mixing the batter after the flour has been added, or packing the flour into the measuring cup. For best results, spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife.
What To Serve With Key Lime Cake
Simple accompaniments for a tangy, sweet dessert.
This zesty cake is a perfect standalone dessert, especially after a savory meal. It’s also lovely with:
- A dollop of fresh whipped cream
- A scoop of raspberry or mango sorbet for a tropical contrast
- A cup of hot green tea or a light herbal tea
How To Store Key Lime Cake
Keeping your cake fresh and moist.
- Refrigerate: Due to the cream cheese frosting, this cake must be stored in the refrigerator. Cover it with a cake dome or plastic wrap. It will stay delicious for up to 5 days. For the best flavor and texture, allow slices to sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving.
Pioneer Woman Key Lime Cake Nutrition Facts
An estimated guide per slice.
- Calories: 535 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 73 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Fat: 26 g
Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.
FAQs
Can I bake this as a sheet cake?
Yes, this recipe works wonderfully in a 9×13-inch pan. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let it cool completely before frosting.
My frosting is too thin, what do I do?
If your frosting seems too soft or runny, the most likely cause is that your butter or cream cheese was too warm. You can fix this by adding more powdered sugar, a quarter cup at a time, until it reaches your desired consistency. Chilling the frosting for 30 minutes in the refrigerator will also help it firm up.
Can this cake be frozen?
Yes. You can freeze the unfrosted cake layers. Once they are completely cool, wrap them tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight before frosting.
Try More Pioneer Woman Recipes:
- Pioneer Woman Hummingbird Cake Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Cherry Pineapple Dump Cake Recipe
- Pioneer Woman Pig Pickin’ Cake Recipe
Pioneer Woman Key Lime Cake Recipe
Description
A wonderfully moist and tangy Key Lime Cake with a rich and zesty lime cream cheese frosting, perfect for any celebration or summer gathering.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F. Prepare two 9-inch round cake pans.
- In a large bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, milk, lime zest, and lime juice for 2 minutes.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all the dry cake ingredients.
- Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Divide batter between the pans and bake for 30-36 minutes. Cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, lime juice, and zest, and beat until smooth.
- Assemble the cake by frosting between the layers, then frosting the top and sides. Garnish with lime slices.
Notes
- u003cliu003eFor the best flavor, use fresh lime juice and zest, not bottled. Key limes will provide a more intense flavor if available.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eEnsure your butter and cream cheese are fully softened for the smoothest, creamiest frosting.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eDo not overmix the cake batter after adding the flour, as this can make the cake tough.u003c/liu003eu003cliu003eThe cake must be stored in the refrigerator due to the cream cheese frosting.u003c/liu003e
