Key Lime Layered Cake with Zesty Lime Glaze
A moist layered cake bursting with fresh key lime flavor, topped with a tangy lime glaze for a refreshing dessert experience. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 50 minutes, layers all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 8, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup (113g), softened unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1/2 cup key lime juice
- 1 tbsp key lime zest
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup buttermilk
The bakeware we’d bake this in → Best Bakeware Sets in 2026: Top Picks + Buying Guide
Affiliate disclosure: AislePrompt may earn a commission on qualifying purchases made through Amazon links, at no additional cost to you. See our policy →
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt until combined.
- Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar on medium speed for 3 minutes until fluffy.
- Step 3: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1 tbsp key lime zest.
- Step 4: Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and 1/2 cup whole milk to the butter mixture, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined.
- Step 5: Fold in 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice gently to incorporate.
- Step 6: Pour batter evenly into two greased 8-inch round cake pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Step 7: While cake cools, whisk 1 cup powdered sugar with 1/4 cup buttermilk and 2 tbsp key lime juice to create a glaze.
- Step 8: Once cakes are completely cool, drizzle lime glaze over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides before serving.









