This Key Lime Pie Poke Cake features a delicious lime filling topped with plenty of whipped cream. It's a fusion dessert that never disappoints.
Easy Key Lime Poke Cake Recipe
How to Make the Best Key Lime Poke Cake
The star of key lime desserts is well, key limes. They are different in size and flavor to Persian limes that are most commonly found in the produce section of the grocery store. This citrus laced poke cake to take to picnics, potlucks and parties due to the ease of preparation, the ability to easily transport, and the fresh and vibrant flavor.
- Ingredients you'll need to make homemade Key Lime Poke Cake: One box white cake mix (plus oil, water, and eggs to prepare), sweetened condensed milk, heavy cream, key lime juice, lime zest, vanilla extract, sliced almonds, granulated sugar, green food coloring, grated white chocolate to garnish the top.
- Kitchen tools you'll need: A stand mixer or a hand mixer, large bowl, medium bowl, measuring cups and spoons, a citrus grater, 13 x 9 inch baking dish or pan.
- What are key limes? Even though Key limes aren't exclusive to the Florida Keys, characteristically they are quite a bit smaller in size than a regular Persian or Mexican lime and they have a smoother skin and texture.
- The flavor is also more tart than a Persian lime that's found most often in the supermarket produce section. It adds a distinct tartness to the overall flavor.
- The juice of key limes is more yellow than green. In keeping with the color of the skin, I add a few drops of food coloring to the filling. This is for visual appeal, and doesn't alter the flavor at all. This is completely optional.
- Is there a substitute for key lime juice? As discussed, you can use the juice from regular limes or you can use half lime juice and half lemon juice in keeping with the actual flavor of key limes. If you're unable to find key limes at your local grocery any lime will work well in this recipe.
- How do you store Key Lime Poke Cake? This cake will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
More Poke Cake Recipes to Make
Poke cakes come in a plethora of flavor combinations and they're so fun to make. They have the bonus of being made in a 13 x 9 inch pan making them easy to transport to family, church and office gatherings. Other Southern style poke cake flavors you may like to try:
- My Carrot Cake Poke Cake recipe is always popular at the holidays.
- Citrus filled Lemon Burst Poke Cake.
- Salted Caramel Coconut Poke Cake recipe is rich and decadent.
- Strawberries and Cream Poke Cake is a feast for the eyes.
- Hummingbird Cake Poke Cake is a riff on an iconic Hummingbird Cake recipe.
- Boston Cream Poke Cake from The Midnight Baker.
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Helpful Kitchen Items:
Key Lime Poke Cake
Ingredients
- 1 15.25 oz box white cake mix plus eggs, oil and water to prepare
- 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 3 cups heavy cream divided
- ½ cup key lime juice
- 2 ½ tablespoon key lime zest
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract divided
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar
- few drops green food coloring optional
- ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds
- 2 oz grated white chocolate
Instructions
- Prepare prepare per the package directions in a 13 x 9 inch pan using the amounts of eggs, oil and water called for on the box. Bake per the instructions.
- Once baked, immediately use the end of wooden spoon or similar to poke holes over the surface of the cake.
- Use an electric mixer or a whisk to combine the sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup heavy cream, lime juice, 2 tablespoon lime zest and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla. Add a few drops of green food coloring, if desired.
- Pour the key lime filling over the top of the cake spreading into the holes. Chill completely.
- To frost: Use an electric mixer to whip the remaining 2 cups heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla and ⅓ cup granulated sugar until stiff peaks form. Frost the top of the cake.
- Sprinkle with the remaining lime zest, toasted sliced almonds and grated white chocolate.
- Store covered and chilled until serving. Store leftovers in the refrigeratorr for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
Cyndi
Mellisa
My boss asked me to make her a key lime cake for her birthday. I stumbled across this recipe and made one for home before making one for her since I’ve never tasted key lime cake or pie. Wow! Delicious! I’m not a baker and this was simple. Thank you. I’ll be researching more of your recipes
Cyndi from Lynchburg Virginia
Melissa
I'm so happy you all enjoyed it, thanks!
Monica
Hi Melissa it’s Monica again does the key lime mixture go on top on the warm cake or cooled cake?
Melissa
You can put it on the cake immediately while warm, then chill.
Monica
Can this recipe be made a couple days in advance thank you?
Melissa
Sure, no problem.
Monica
Thanks Melissa this cake sounds great.
Melissa
You bet, it's my pleasure!
Jane
Wow. I love this one. I will try this at weekend to see how the taste is.
Jack Ford
Not only does this look stunning but it tastes even better. Couldn't be happier to have chosen this lime cake as a surprise for my wife, thanks!
Melissa
Glad you enjoyed, it's my pleasure.
Jason
Great Recipe
Lece
Yum! I love dishes made with real lime juice. Here's a tip from my time living in Florida --key lime juice is not really green. If you see "Key Lime Pie" that is green, run away????
Melissa
I know it it's so funny how visual we are isn't it? It's perfectly fine to leave out the food coloring as the taste isn't effected at all.
Melissa
Thank you Linda!
Linda
The beach is certainly therapeutic, but so is eating cake. Love this recipe. Thanks Melissa
Melissa
Any day of the year, right Melissa? Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa @ My Recent Favorite Books
Your recipe looks so good!
Lazy days on the beach sound wonderful! =)