Indulge in a taste of Southern comfort with our exquisite Key Lime Pound Cake. This magnificent dessert is a celebration of vibrant citrus flavors, boasting a dense, incredibly moist crumb and a refreshing zing that will awaken your palate. Crowned with a sweet yet tart key lime glaze, it’s a homemade masterpiece that perfectly captures the essence of spring and summer, making it an ideal treat for any warm-weather gathering or a simple delight for an afternoon tea.
For an unforgettable experience, serve each slice with a generous dollop of fluffy homemade whipped cream, a scattering of fresh berries, or a scoop of your favorite vanilla bean ice cream. If you’re a devoted fan of bright, tangy lime desserts, you simply must explore our classic Key Lime Pie or this equally delightful Lime Bundt Cake.
Unveiling the Zest: The Magic of Key Lime Pound Cake
There’s an unparalleled simplicity and charm to this homemade Key Lime Pound Cake recipe. Unlike its more common cousin, the Persian lime, the diminutive Key Lime—native to the sun-drenched Florida Keys—offers an ultra-tart and intensely aromatic flavor profile. While typically reserved for iconic desserts like Key Lime Pie, we’ve harnessed its potent citrus power to infuse every bite of this pound cake with an invigorating tang. Our carefully crafted recipe incorporates both the fresh zest and juice from key limes, alongside a hint of lime extract, ensuring a robust and unmistakable burst of tangy citrus in every slice.
The unique quality of this cake lies not just in its flavor, but also in its texture. A true pound cake, as its name suggests, traditionally uses a pound each of butter, sugar, eggs, and flour, resulting in a dense yet tender crumb. We’ve perfected this balance, adding cream cheese to elevate the moisture content and richness, making it incredibly decadent without being heavy. The bright, acidic notes of key lime cut through the sweetness and richness, creating a beautifully balanced flavor that’s utterly addictive.
Should fresh key limes be difficult to source in your local grocery store, we strongly advise against settling for bottled key lime juice, which often lacks the authentic brightness. Instead, opt for regular fresh Persian limes. While slightly less tart and aromatic than true key limes, their fresh juice and zest will still yield a phenomenal cake, and you certainly won’t be disappointed by the vibrant flavor. We complete this exquisite pound cake with a velvety, easy-to-make key lime glaze – a sweet and sour crown that makes this dessert absolutely perfect for any warm weather celebration or a simple, joyful indulgence.
Key Ingredients for an Unforgettable Key Lime Pound Cake
Crafting the perfect Key Lime Pound Cake begins with selecting high-quality ingredients and preparing them correctly. Here’s a detailed look at what you’ll need and why each component is essential for achieving that ideal balance of flavor and texture:
For the Perfectly Moist Pound Cake:
- Butter: For the ideal pound cake texture, your butter must be softened to room temperature. This allows it to cream properly with the sugar, incorporating air and creating a light, fluffy base for your batter. If you forget to pull it out in advance, a quick 10-second microwave interval (be careful not to melt it!) can help.
- Cream Cheese: This is our secret weapon for achieving an unbelievably moist crumb and a richer flavor profile. Like the butter, ensure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature for seamless blending and a smooth, lump-free batter.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar provides the essential sweetness and also contributes to the cake’s structure and golden-brown crust.
- Eggs: Use large eggs, and importantly, ensure they are at room temperature. Cold eggs can cause the butter and cream cheese mixture to seize, leading to a less emulsified batter and potentially a denser, less moist cake. You can quickly warm them by running them under warm water for a few minutes.
- Flour: Both all-purpose flour and cake flour yield excellent results for pound cake. Cake flour, with its lower protein content, can contribute to an even more tender crumb, but all-purpose flour works wonderfully too.
- Milk: Whole milk is highly recommended for its richness, which enhances the cake’s moisture and flavor. If whole milk isn’t available, 2% milk can be a good substitute, but avoid skim milk for optimal results.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is crucial for balancing the sweetness and enhancing all the other flavors in the cake, making the citrus notes truly shine.
- Key Lime Zest: This is where the intense lime aroma and flavor truly come from. Use a microplane to zest the limes before juicing them. If key limes aren’t available, regular lime zest will still impart a beautiful, fresh citrus note.
- Vanilla Extract: A touch of vanilla extract complements the bright lime flavor, adding depth and a warm, inviting undertone to the cake.
- Lime Extract: This ingredient is key to giving the lime flavor in the cake an extra boost, ensuring it’s pronounced and vibrant. You can substitute with lemon extract for a slightly different citrus profile, or omit it if you prefer a more subtle lime presence.
For the Sweet & Tangy Key Lime Glaze:
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this forms the base of our glaze, providing sweetness without any grittiness, resulting in a smooth, pourable consistency.
- Key Lime Juice: Freshly squeezed key lime juice is paramount here. Its bright, tart flavor is far superior to any bottled alternative. Remember to zest your key limes (or regular limes) before juicing them!
- Lime Extract: While optional, a small amount of lime extract in the glaze intensifies the citrus punch, creating a truly irresistible finish.
- Vanilla Extract: Just like in the cake batter, a hint of vanilla in the glaze harmonizes beautifully with the lime, adding a lovely complexity.
Mastering the Bake: How to Make Key Lime Pound Cake
Follow these straightforward steps to create a flawless and flavorful Key Lime Pound Cake that will impress everyone!
- Prepare Your Pan and Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, generously grease and flour a 9-10 cup bundt pan. This crucial step prevents the dense cake from sticking and ensures a beautiful release. Make sure every crevice of the pan is coated.
- Cream Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, using an electric mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar. Beat on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color. This creaming process incorporates air, which is vital for a tender pound cake.
- Incorporate Eggs and Dry Ingredients: Add the room temperature eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure everything is thoroughly combined and the mixture remains smooth. Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the batter, mixing on low speed just until it is almost fully combined. Overmixing the flour can lead to a tough cake, so mix until barely incorporated.
- Add Wet Ingredients & Flavor Boosters: Finally, pour in the milk, salt, fragrant key lime zest, aromatic vanilla extract, and the extra boost of lime extract. Mix on low speed until the batter is just combined and smooth. Be careful not to overmix at this stage. Transfer the prepared batter evenly into your greased and floured bundt pan.
- Bake to Perfection: Place the bundt pan into the preheated oven and bake for approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes. Baking times can vary, so the best way to check for doneness is to insert a wooden skewer or toothpick into the center of the cake. If it comes out clean, your cake is ready!
- Cool and Invert: Once baked, remove the cake from the oven and allow it to cool in the pan for 10-15 minutes. This cooling period is important as it allows the cake to firm up slightly, making it easier to remove without breaking. After this time, place a serving plate or cooling rack over the top of the bundt pan and carefully invert the cake onto it. Let it cool completely on the rack before glazing.
- Whip Up the Key Lime Glaze: While the cake is cooling, prepare your vibrant key lime glaze. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, fresh key lime juice, lime extract (if using), and vanilla extract until smooth. If the glaze is too thick, add a tiny bit more key lime juice (a quarter teaspoon at a time) until you reach your desired drizzling consistency. If it’s too thin, whisk in a little more powdered sugar.
- Glaze and Serve: Once the pound cake is completely cool, artfully drizzle the prepared key lime glaze over the top, allowing it to cascade down the sides. Let the glaze set for at least an hour before slicing. Serve individual slices with a dollop of fresh whipped cream, a handful of fresh raspberries, or a scoop of creamy ice cream. Enjoy the refreshing taste of summer!
Frequently Asked Questions About Key Lime Pound Cake
Absolutely! While key limes offer a unique, more intensely tart and slightly floral flavor profile, they are not always readily available outside of specific regions or seasons. Persian limes, often referred to as “regular” limes, are an excellent substitute. They are larger, easier to juice, and while their flavor is a touch less intense, they will still provide a wonderfully tangy and refreshing citrus note to your pound cake. We strongly recommend using fresh regular limes over bottled key lime juice, as the fresh juice offers a much brighter and more authentic flavor. Always remember to zest your limes before cutting and juicing them!
Achieving a moist pound cake relies on a few critical techniques. Firstly, ensuring your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are all at room temperature is paramount. When butter and cream cheese are softened, they cream with sugar more effectively, incorporating tiny air pockets that contribute to a tender texture. Room temperature eggs, when added slowly, form a stable emulsion with the creamed butter and sugar. If eggs are too cold, they can cause the butter mixture to seize, breaking this emulsion. This can lead to butter leaking out during baking, resulting in a drier cake. Secondly, avoiding overmixing the flour is crucial. Overworking the gluten in the flour can lead to a tough, dry cake. Mix just until combined. Lastly, incorporating extra dairy, such as cream cheese (as in this recipe), sour cream, or buttermilk, significantly boosts the cake’s moisture content and adds a lovely richness and tender crumb. These fats and liquids contribute to a luxurious, moist texture that lasts.
Pound cakes are traditionally baked in bundt pans or round tube cake pans, and there’s a good reason for this. These pans not only create a stunning presentation with their intricate designs but also provide more surface area for the dense cake batter. This increased surface contact helps to distribute heat more evenly throughout the very thick batter, promoting a consistent bake and preventing undercooked centers or overcooked edges. While bundt pans are ideal, you can also use loaf pans; simply fill them about two-thirds full to prevent overflow and adjust the baking time accordingly, as loaf cakes will typically bake faster due to their shallower depth. Always ensure your chosen pan is well-greased and floured for easy release.
The best way to determine if your pound cake is perfectly baked is by using the toothpick test. Insert a long wooden skewer or toothpick into the very center of the cake. If it comes out clean, with no wet batter clinging to it, your cake is done. If it comes out with wet crumbs, continue baking for another 5-10 minutes before testing again. Additionally, a perfectly baked pound cake will often begin to pull away slightly from the sides of the pan, and the top will be golden brown and spring back gently when lightly touched.
Yes, this Key Lime Pound Cake is an excellent make-ahead dessert! The flavors often deepen and become even more harmonious after a day. You can bake the cake and allow it to cool completely, then wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. If you plan to freeze it, wrap the unglazed cake extremely well. When ready to serve, simply thaw (if frozen), prepare the glaze, and drizzle it over the cake before serving. This allows for fresh glaze presentation and taste.
Pro Tips & Creative Variations for Your Key Lime Pound Cake
Elevate your Key Lime Pound Cake with these smart tips and delightful variations, turning a great cake into an extraordinary one!
- Embrace Toasted Coconut: For an added layer of tropical flavor and texture, sprinkle toasted coconut flakes generously over the top of the glazed cake. The nutty sweetness of coconut pairs beautifully with the tangy key lime.
- Berry Bliss Topping: A vibrant mix of fresh berries, such as raspberries, blueberries, or sliced strawberries, makes for a colorful, refreshing, and naturally sweet topping. You could also try these delicious Macerated Strawberries, which add an extra burst of juicy flavor.
- Cream Cheese Frosting Alternative: If you’re looking for a richer, more indulgent topping than the simple glaze, a luscious cream cheese frosting is a perfect match for the tangy key lime. Its creamy texture and slight tang complement the cake wonderfully. Spread a generous layer for a truly decadent finish.
- Nutty Crunch: Add a delightful crunch by sprinkling chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds over the glaze. This introduces a pleasant textural contrast and a subtle, earthy flavor that complements the citrus.
- Lime Infused Whipped Cream: Instead of plain whipped cream, add a teaspoon of lime zest and a splash of lime juice to your homemade whipped cream for an intensified citrus experience when serving.
- Miniature Pound Cakes: For individual servings, bake the batter in mini bundt pans or even a muffin tin (filling muffin cups about 2/3 full). Adjust baking times accordingly – mini bundts might take 30-40 minutes, and muffins even less.
- Layered Cake Option: For a show-stopping dessert, you can adapt this recipe to bake in two 8-inch round cake pans. Cool completely, then fill and frost with cream cheese frosting or a key lime curd.
Storing and Freezing Your Key Lime Pound Cake for Lasting Freshness
Proper storage is key to enjoying your delicious Key Lime Pound Cake for days to come. Here’s how to keep it fresh and flavorful:
- Room Temperature Storage: Any leftover, unglazed cake should be wrapped tightly in aluminum foil or placed in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. It can be stored at cool room temperature for up to 2 days. Once glazed, it’s best kept in the refrigerator.
- Refrigerator Storage: For longer freshness, especially if glazed or in warm climates, store the pound cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The cool temperature helps maintain its moisture and prevents spoilage.
- Freezing Instructions: Pound cake freezes beautifully! For best results, freeze the unglazed cake. Wrap it very well in several layers of plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Place the securely wrapped cake into a larger freezer-safe bag to protect it from freezer burn. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy it, simply remove it from the freezer and let it thaw overnight at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Once thawed, prepare and drizzle with the fresh key lime glaze at least an hour before serving to allow it to set properly.
Key Lime Pound Cake Recipe
The Carefree Kitchen
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10 mins
1 hr 20 mins
1 hr 30 mins
12 people
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups butter, room temperature
- 8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 3 cups sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup milk
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons key lime zest, from 2-3 limes
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon lime extract
Key Lime Glaze
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon key lime juice
- ¼ teaspoon lime extract
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease and flour a 9-10 cup bundt cake pan and set aside.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer, whip together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-5 minutes.
- Slowly add the eggs, mixing after each addition and scraping down the sides as necessary to make the mixture smooth. Add the flour and mix on low speed until almost completely combined. Finally, add the milk, salt, key lime zest, vanilla extract, and lime extract. Mix until just combined and transfer to the prepared pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour and 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Once finished, remove the cake from the oven and let cool for 5-10 minutes. Put a plate or serving dish on the top of the bundt cake pan and flip the cake onto the serving plate to cool completely.
- In the meantime, make the key lime glaze by whisking together the powdered sugar, key lime juice, lime extract and vanilla extract in a large bowl. Add more lime juice if necessary to reach your desired consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the pound cake and let it set up before slicing to serve with a dollop of whipped cream, fresh raspberries or a scoop of ice cream. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
|
Carbohydrates: 36g
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Protein: 4g
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Fat: 14g
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Saturated Fat: 10g
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Trans Fat: 1g
|
Cholesterol: 56mg
|
Sodium: 131mg
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Potassium: 131mg
|
Fiber: 1g
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Sugar: 24g
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Vitamin A: 187IU
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Vitamin C: 1mg
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Calcium: 60mg
|
Iron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated using a third-party tool and are provided as an estimation only.
Dessert
American
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This Key Lime Pound Cake, with its simple yet exquisite key lime glaze, truly stands as a testament to the fact that homemade desserts are always the best. The bright, tangy flavor of key lime adds a wonderfully refreshing twist to the comforting classic pound cake. By using just a few high-quality, simple ingredients like butter, sugar, eggs, flour, and that essential key lime juice and zest, you can effortlessly whip up this moist, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying dessert in your own kitchen. We hope you enjoy baking and savoring every delightful bite of this Southern-inspired treat!