One of the first desserts I learned to make was key lime pie, using a store-bought graham cracker crust. It's an easy beginner recipe and the sweet and tart flavor combinations were so delicious! And another classic dessert that I love is lemon pound cake. I find that the citrus really complements the richness of the cake. So today I wanted to make a little homage to those fantastic flavor combinations with a key lime pound cake!
If you love key lime pie like I do, you know that the standard ingredients that make up a key lime pie usually are key lime juice,sweetened condensed milk, and egg yolks. This key lime pound cake recipe contains all of those elements, plus some key lime zest for some extra citrus flavor. The key lime juice adds just the right amount of tartness, and the sweetened condensed milk keeps it moist and lends it a distinct key lime pie flavor. Also, this key lime pound cake bakes up easily in a loaf pan, and can be whipped up using either a hand mixer or a stand mixer. So if you're looking for an easy weeknight dessert, look no further!
Plus! This cake is topped with a rich, tangy key lime glaze! The glaze has even more zest, juice, and sweetened condensed milk. It's the perfect way to amp up that key lime pie flavor!
Ingredients
This key lime cake recipe is so easy to put together, partly because the ingredients are pretty easy to find! Here's what you'll need for the key lime pound cake:
- key lime juice and zest - if you have trouble finding fresh key limes, you can use bottled key lime juice and the zest of regular limes! Also, regular lime juice, while it doesn't have the traditional key lime taste, is still a fantastic flavor in this key lime cake! I've made this cake both ways and love it every time!
- sweetened condensed milk - I use Eagle Brand condensed milk.
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salted butter
- granulated sugar
- eggs
And for the key lime glaze, you'll need:
- powdered sugar
- sweetened condensed milk
- more key lime zest and juice
Equipment
This key lime pound cake is pretty simple, and made in a loaf pan, so the equipment you'll need is fairly standard: a loaf pan (of course), mixing bowls and measuring tools, a hand mixer or stand mixer, and parchment paper to easily remove the cake from the pan.
Related Recipes
For more irresistible key lime flavor, you should drop everything and make my No-Churn Key Lime Pie Ice Cream ASAP! It's so easy to make and has all the rich goodness of key lime pie in ice cream form! And you can make it at home with NO ice cream maker!
And if you liked this key lime pound cake recipe, you should definitely try my Lavender Earl Grey Cake with Honey-Lemon Glaze. It's a simple single-layer cake recipe but packed with lemon, honey, and Earl Grey tea flavors!
📖 Recipe
Equipment you may need
Ingredients
- 2 cup all-purpose flour - (256g)
- 1½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ cup salted butter - softened to room temperature (1 stick)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon key lime zest
- ¾ cup sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tablespoon key lime juice
- 4 eggs - room temperature
Key Lime Glaze
- 2 cups powdered sugar - (250g)
- 2 tablespoon sweetened condensed milk
- 2 tsp key lime zest
- 2 tablespoon key lime juice - plus extra if needed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour a 9x5-inch loaf pan. Optional: line the pan with parchment paper extending over the sides of the pan to allow for easy removal.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer or in a large bowl using a hand mixer, cream butter and sugar on medium speed for 5 minutes until light in color and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing fully before adding the next.
- Add lime zest and mix to incorporate.
- In a small bowl, mix condensed milk and lime juice together. Add to mixer bowl and beat until smooth.
- Gently fold in dry ingredients using a rubber spatula until just barely combined.
- Pour batter into prepared pan until it is just ¾-inch from the top. Drop the pan once from 2 inches above the countertop to eliminate air pockets.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes and then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For icing, whisk together all the glaze ingredients until smooth. Add more lime juice if needed for thinner consistency. Pour over cooled cake.
Notes
Nutrition
PIN this key lime cake recipe for later!
Last Updated on October 21, 2020 by Chenée Lewis
Cynthia | What A Girl Eats
What's not to love about this moist, rich and tangy pound cake! Perfect with a cup of Earl Grey tea!
Chenée Lewis
Absolutely! So glad you like it!
Jen
This key lime pound cake was out of this world. I love key lime pie and so I was so excited for this. I will definitely make it again!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! I'm so glad you liked it!
Jen
This key lime pound cake was out of this world. I love key lime pie and so I was so excited for this. I will definitely make it again!
Chenée Lewis
Yay! Thank you so much!
Andrea
I'm a big fan of key lime desserts and this marvelous pound cake is going on my "must make" list right now.
Dannii
I love anything with lime and this cake looks so light and fresh. I can't wait to try it.
Tayler
I've made this pound cake several times and it always turns out perfectly. So moist and full of flavor!
Chenée Lewis
Thank you so much for the feedback!
Elle
Looks delicious!! Will have to make this sometime!
Chenée
Thank you! I hope it works out for you!
Chele
Can this cake be made 2 days ahead and refrigerated?
Chenée Lewis
Definitely!