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Key Lime Cake

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Meet Kev’s Mom, Katie…

We’re going to blog about her awesome key lime cake today. It’s soooo good, and we’re excited to share the recipe with you!

Here are the directions, straight from Katie’s kitchen…

For the cakes-

Step 1: Prepare three round 9″ pans by lining the bottoms of each with 9″ circles of wax paper.

Step 2: Grease the wax paper with Pam and then sprinkle with flour.

Step 3: Mix the cake mix, lime jello, oil, eggs, orange juice and water together for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed.

Step 4: Pour an equal amount of the batter into each of the three lined cake pans.

Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

For the glaze-

Step 6: While the cakes are baking, knead two key limes against a hard surface to loosen the juice inside of them.

Step 7: Cut each of the limes in half.

Step 8: Squeeze 1/4 cup of fresh key lime juice into a small bowl.

Step 9: Pour 1/4 cup of bottled lime juice into the bowl of fresh lime juice.

Step 10: Mix in 4 tbsp. of confectioners sugar.

(I love that the confectioners sugar fell into the bowl in the shape of a heart in step 10!)

When the cakes come of out the oven, and while they’re still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze mixture onto the entire surface of each of them.

For the icing-

Step 11: Mix the margarine and cream cheese together.

Step 12: Mix in the remainder of the box of confectioners sugar.

Step 13: Add the vanilla, and mix until it’s smooth.

Step 14: Remove the first cake from its pan, discard the waxpaper on the bottom of it, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.

Step 15: Remove and stack the second (wax paperless) cake on top of the first one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.

Step 16: Remove and stack the third (wax paperless) cake on top of the second one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it. Use the remaining icing to cover the sides of the cake.

Place the cake in the refrigerator to keep the icing firm.

Optional Refrigeration Instructions: Immediately cut and serve up several large pieces to your famished family.

So there ya have it- Katie’s Key Lime Cake recipe! If you decide to make one, let us know what you think of it…

…and if you have any questions about the recipe (or would just like to say hello to Katie!) please feel free to leave her a comment on this post!

She’s an absolute sweetheart and I look very forward to sampling the next neat thing she cooks up!


Print
Key Lime Cake

Ingredients

  • 1 box of lemon cake mix
  • 1 - 3 oz. box of lime jello
  • 1/3 cup of vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 1/2 cup of orange juice
  • 3/4 cup of water
  • 1 box confectioners sugar
  • 1/4 cup of key lime juice (bottled)
  • 1/4 cup of key lime juice (fresh)
  • 8 oz. of cream cheese (softened)
  • 1 stick of margarine (softened)
  • 1 tsp. of vanilla flavoring

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Prepare three round 9" pans by lining the bottoms of each with 9" circles of wax paper.
  2. Step 2: Grease the wax paper with Pam and then sprinkle with flour.
  3. Step 3: Mix the cake mix, lime jello, oil, eggs, orange juice and water together for 2 to 3 minutes at medium speed.
  4. Step 4: Pour an equal amount of the batter into each of the three lined cake pans.
  5. Step 5: Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
  6. For the glaze-
  7. Step 6: While the cakes are baking, knead two key limes against a hard surface to loosen the juice inside of them.
  8. Step 7: Cut each of the limes in half.
  9. Step 8: Squeeze 1/4 cup of fresh key lime juice into a small bowl.
  10. Step 9: Pour 1/4 cup of bottled lime juice into the bowl of fresh lime juice.
  11. Step 10: Mix in 4 tbsp. of confectioners sugar.
  12. When the cakes come of out the oven, and while they're still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze mixture onto the entire surface of each of them.
  13. When the cakes come of out the oven, and while they're still warm, use a spoon to drizzle the glaze mixture onto the entire surface of each of them.
  14. Step 11: Mix the margarine and cream cheese together.
  15. Step 12: Mix in the remainder of the box of confectioners sugar.
  16. Step 13: Add the vanilla, and mix until smooth.
  17. Step 14: Remove the first cake from its pan, discard the waxpaper on the bottom of it, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.
  18. Step 15: Remove and stack the second (wax paperless) cake on top of the first one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it.
  19. Step 16: Remove and stack the third (wax paperless) cake on top of the second one, and spread a layer of icing on the top of it. Use the remaining icing to cover the sides of the cake.
  20. Place the cake in the refrigerator to keep the icing firm.
https://theletteredcottage.net/key-lime-cake/

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Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Layla

      Hey Rachel!

      You can find one by clicking on the Farmhouse Wares button in our sidebar!
      🙂

  5. amalia

    Where did you get the metal cake stand? I’ve been looking for one like that for ages!

    • Layla

      Hey Amalia!

      Just click on the Farmhouse Wares button in our sidebar and search for “cake stand”. You’ll find it there! 🙂

  6. Luciane At HomeBunch.com

    OMG! It looks DIVINE!!! And how sweet is Kevin mother for sharing this with us, eh?

    Please, thank her for me! I will try making it with my kids!

    Have a wonderful and blessed week!

    xo

    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

    • Katie

      Luciane,

      Thanks for your comment! You will have fun making the cake with your kids. I enjoy baking with my grandkids!

      Katie

    • Kevin

      Hey Allison,

      You can find it, and a lot of other cool stuff by clicking on the Farmhouse Wares button in our sidebar!

    • Katie

      Kristin, I was happy to share the recipe. It is now a favorite of my family. Thanks for your comment!

  11. Silvia

    Ooh, this looks delish! I read this just in time- I’m going grocery shopping in a bit and today my twins are turning two. I’m going to try these out as cupcakes…any tips?

    Thanks for sharing!

    • Layla

      Hey Silvia!

      Just spoke with Katie, she said she’s never made them into cupcakes before, but that you could probably just fill up your cupcake molds about 3/4 of the way full and follow the rest of the steps as listed.
      You may want to keep an eye on them while baking though, in case they need less time in the oven.

      🙂

  12. Shaunna

    Such a great post! And I know that cake is wonderful because my mom and I have been making it for years…it’s sooo yummy. So sweet of her to model for you guys.

    🙂
    shaunna

  13. anemone

    Screaming Meme: I was thinking of trying a GF version! But I don’t know of any Lemon GF cake mixes. What’s your plan?

    This looks so fabulous I’d almost be tempted to eat it non-GF.

    • Mary

      I found a few different gluten free lemon cake mixes on amazon, “Cause You’re Special” and “Authentic Foods” . I will check out my local GF store first though. This cake looks amazing!

    • Katie

      From one Katie to another, I hope you will enjoy the cake as much as my family does. I enjoyed making it!

  16. Sara

    I WILL be making this immediately! Some friends of mine got me a key lime cake on my 21st birthday and nothing has come close to beating the taste! Hopefully this will make the “cut” and I can make it whenever I want!

  17. Laurie-Jean

    Katie, so sweet and gracious of you to share this fresh summer delight! The photo story is fabulous! So big time magazine worthy!! We were just invited to an outdoor fun party next month and now I KNOW what I’ll be making to share. Thanks bunches!

    • Katie

      Laurie-Jean, thanks for your comments! I really enjoyed making the cake and having Kevin and Layla share it on their blog. I feel like they have given me my fifteen minutes of fame!

  19. sarita

    Hi Katie..what a lovely lady you are..thank you for sharing your delish cake! key lime ANYTHING is yummy.

    • Katie

      Sarita, thanks for your kind remark. I enjoyed sharing the recipe. Hope you enjoy the cake as much as my family does!

  22. Jennifer Fischer

    As I was reading I said out loud, “that looks delish. AND I want the cake stand.” Then I kept reading and you mentioned where to find it! I can’t wait to make this for my hubby who is a Key lime FANATIC. Thanks for sharing!

  23. Urban Wife

    Key Lime is my favorite ever! I cannot wait to make this. Thanks for sharing. p.s. I wonder if I could susbtitute butter for the margarine….

    • Katie

      Urban Wife, Yes, you may susbtitute butter for the margarine. It will just make the cake better. I use the Smart Balance 50/50 Butter Blend.

  24. Laura Bervig

    This post was so precious and Kev’s mom reminds me of my dear “Georgia peach” mother who we lost this past November. The recipe looks delicious, I will be trying it out soon! More importantly, the pictures of this beloved “Gramma” with her adorable grandkids by her side made me smile! Relish each and every opportunity you have together! Thanks for this touching post!

    • Katie

      Laura Bervig, I am so sorry for the loss of your mother in November. Hope you will enjoy the cake and yes, I do treasure my adorable grandkids. Looking forward to more grandkids if Kevin and Layla work out plans to adopt!

  25. Jackie

    Oh My Gosh! Kevin your mom is so adorable! 🙂 What a pretty lady she is! That cake of her’s looks so refreshing and delicious. I can’t wait to try it! I think I’m going to try to make a small sheet cake for this weekend, cut it into squares and try fresh whipped cream on top 🙂 mmmmmm! Great pictures by the way!

    • Kevin

      Thanks so much for your sweet comment Jackie! Whipped cream on top sounds amazing!

      P.S. Mom says, “This cake may also be baked in a 9×13 pan at 350 degrees, for 32 to 35 minutes. Just spray the pan with Pam and sprinkle with flour!” 🙂

  29. Lauren

    OMG. This is going to be my summer go-to recipe. I’ve already decided. It’s only 9:30 in the AM and I could totally go for a slice! (or two, to be honest.)
    Thanks for sharing, Katie!

    • Katie

      Lauren, I was happy to share the recipe and hope you enjoy it as much as my family does!

  31. Tracy Martin

    I so want to try this. I am not the best baker so I hope that it turns out because it looks delicious!

  32. Gail

    Wow! That cake looks amazing and so perfect for summer! I’d like to make it right away, but then my husband and I (probably mostly me!) would be eating the whole thing! So….in an effort to maintain my figure I’d better wait for a special occasion. Hello Memorial Day!

    Hugs,
    Gail

  33. Elisa

    Hi Katie! How lucky are those kids to have you?! Now we can see where Kevin gets his good looks. . .

  34. gina

    That looks so yummy!! I cannot wait to make it….maybe for this weekend! Layla, you think of everything…as I’m looking at the post I’m thinking how I want a galvanized cake stand and at the end of the post you answer the question of where to find one looming in my head. Thanks!

  35. Kim in MD

    That is one gorgeous cake! Kevin’s mom Katie is adorable and she is so sweet to share her recipe with us! I can’t wait to make this cake! 🙂

    • Katie

      Kim, thanks for your sweet remark. I was happy to share the recipe. It was fun making the cake while Kevin photographed everything. Hope you enjoy the cake!

  36. wendy

    Thank you Katie for sharing this wonderful recipe! I think I know what my bday cake will be come June 13! Thank you guys for the great pics and post! So happy to have found TLC:D

    • Katie

      Thanks Wendy. This makes a wonderful birthday cake. Layla and Kevin both have June birthdays and they will probably get the same cake!

  38. Tracy @ Cotton Pickin Cute

    Hi Layla! OMG ~ this looks so delicious!!! I’m ready to head to the kitchen to bake it now, that’s not saying that I’ll actually get that far. Katie looks like the sweetest person every and she’s so pretty too. Please that her for sharing the recipe with all of us. And I have to say you are a wonderful photographer. You’re pictures and the expressions look like they could have come straight out of Cooking with Paula Deen magazine.

    Have a fun and blessed day. Hugs…Tracy 🙂

    P.S. I too fell in love with the cake stand in the photo. Actually the whole vignette with that darling tablecloth.

    • Katie

      Thanks,Tracy for your sweet response. I really enjoyed sharing the recipe. Layla and Kevin both are great photographers. Kevin made the photographs for this post while Layla was spray painting my patio furniture. They make a great team and are drealy loved by our entire family.

      • Katie

        Regarding the comment above, it is not quite correct. Even though Kevin photographed the post, Layla did all of the staging for the photographs and while the cake layers were cooling they both worked on spray painting the patio furniture. We first talked about Layla painting while we worked, but we couldn’t have done the job without her.

  39. Celeste

    First of all, Kev’s mom is so adorable!! Those pictures of her are fantastic! The cake looks pretty yummy, too…but just loving all the pics in your post. 🙂

    • Layla

      Hey Wendy!

      I picked up the vintage tablecloth for seven bucks at Alyssa’s Antiques in Milton, Florida and the glassware belongs to Katie.
      Glad ya liked everything!
      🙂

  42. Amy Furlong

    I had a piece of Key Lime Cake for the first time about a year ago at the Fountain City Grill in downtown Prattville and it was DEVINE! I’m so glad to have a recipe! (they also make a melt in your mouth strawberry cake that is pure heavenly!)

  44. pillowville

    That cake looks sooooooooo yummy. I’m going to be dreaming about it until I can make for a crowd. Movie day with the girls this Thursday perhaps. Thanks so much for sharing the recipe!!

  45. Annie

    Hey Katie,
    That looks delish. I think I will make that for a baby shower I have coming up. How refreshing. Thanks for the great recipe.

    • Katie

      Annie, this cake would be good for a baby shower. Remember, you can make it in a 9X13 pan. Spray with pam and sprinkle with flour. This way it can be cut in squares and serves much easier. Bake at 350 degrees for 32 to 35 minutes.

  47. Jen

    That looks amazing!! I’ll have to make that for hubby’s birthday in July. And maybe once or twice before then. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  50. Emily

    That is THE most beautiful cake I’ve ever seen! WOW….thank you for sharing! I’ll have to put in a request for my next birthday with family/friends! 🙂