Zesty Key Lime Layer Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

A moist, tangy key lime cake layered with smooth cream cheese frosting, perfect for citrus lovers seeking a refreshing dessert. This American-inspired recipe, ready in about 55 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 400 calories and feeds 12, 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.

Prep: 20 min Cook: 35 min Serves 12 American cuisine 400 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 2 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Set aside.
  2. Step 2: In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes.
  3. Step 3: Add 4 large eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, then mix in 1/2 cup fresh key lime juice and 2 tbsp key lime zest.
  4. Step 4: Alternately add the dry flour mixture and 1 cup buttermilk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with flour, mixing until just combined.
  5. Step 5: Divide batter evenly between two 9-inch round cake pans lined with parchment paper. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  6. Step 6: For frosting, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually add 3 cups powdered sugar and beat until fluffy.
  7. Step 7: Once cakes cool completely, spread frosting evenly between layers and on top. Chill for 1 hour before slicing.

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