Oh, get ready for a treat! If you’re looking for a cake that just screams sunshine and happiness, this Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze is it. I’ve made a lot of cakes in my day, but there’s something truly special about this one. It’s got that perfect balance – not too sweet, not too tart, just pure, bright key lime goodness that dances on your tongue. The pound cake itself is incredibly moist and tender, and that tangy glaze? Well, it’s the cherry on top… or should I say, the lime on top! Trust me, this recipe is a winner.

Why You’ll Love This Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze

Seriously, what’s not to love? This Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze is sunshine in a slice. You get that amazing, bright key lime flavor that’s just perfectly zesty, and the cake? Oh, it’s unbelievably moist and tender. Plus, it’s surprisingly easy to whip up, making it perfect for any occasion. It looks so elegant, too!

Bright, tangy key lime flavor
Super moist and tender crumb
Simple to make, elegant to serve

Gathering Your Ingredients for Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze

Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready for this amazing Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze! Having everything measured out and ready to go makes the whole process so much smoother. And a little secret from my kitchen: make sure your butter, eggs, and milk are all at room temperature. It really makes a difference in how everything creams together and bakes up. If you can’t find key limes, don’t sweat it! Regular lime juice works too, you might just need to play around with the amount to get that perfect tartness.

Essential Dry Ingredients

First up, our dry ingredients! You’ll need 2 and 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder for a little lift, and just a pinch of salt to balance all those flavors. I usually just whisk them together in a medium bowl until they’re all nicely combined.

Key Wet Ingredients and Flavorings

Now for the heart of our pound cake. You’ll want 1 cup (that’s two sticks!) of unsalted butter, nice and soft. Then, we’ve got 3 cups of granulated sugar to cream with it. We’ll also need 5 large eggs, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, that crucial 1/4 cup of key lime juice, and 1/4 cup of milk. Remember, room temperature is key here!

Crafting the Zesty Citrus Glaze

For that gorgeous topping, it’s super simple. Just grab 2 cups of powdered sugar, another 1/4 cup of key lime juice for that zesty kick, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Whisk it all together until it’s smooth and lovely. You can totally adjust the thickness with a little more sugar or milk!

Step-by-Step Guide to Making Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze

Alright, let’s get this party started! Making this Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze is totally doable, even if you’re a little intimidated by baking. Just follow these steps, and you’ll have a showstopper. First things first, preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). While that’s warming up, grab your trusty 10-inch tube pan and give it a good grease and flour. This is super important to make sure your beautiful cake doesn’t stick!

Preparing the Pound Cake Batter

Now, let’s make some magic happen with the batter. In a big bowl, cream together that softened butter and the sugar until it’s super light and fluffy. Seriously, beat it good! Then, add those eggs one at a time, making sure to mix well after each one. It’s like giving each egg its own little introduction. Next, stir in the vanilla extract and that wonderful key lime juice – get ready for that amazing citrus smell! In a separate little bowl, have your milk ready. Now, for the crucial part: gradually add your dry ingredients (the flour mix) to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Start and end with the dry stuff. Mix it until it’s *just* combined. You don’t want to overmix this, trust me! Overmixing makes the cake tough, and we want tender. You should see just a few little streaks of flour left; that’s perfect.

Baking and Cooling Your Key Lime Pound Cake

Pour all that glorious batter into your prepared pan and spread it out evenly. Now, into the oven it goes! It’ll need about 70 to 80 minutes. How do you know it’s done? The best way is the skewer test. Stick a wooden skewer or a thin knife right into the center. If it comes out clean, without any wet batter clinging to it, then it’s ready! Let the cake hang out in the pan for about 15 minutes – this helps it set a bit. Then, carefully flip it out onto a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here is key, you don’t want to glaze a warm cake!

Creating and Applying the Citrus Glaze

While your cake is doing its thing cooling down, let’s whip up that irresistible glaze. It’s so easy! Just whisk together the powdered sugar, the rest of that lovely key lime juice, and the milk in a bowl. Keep whisking until it’s nice and smooth. If it seems too thick, add a tiny splash more milk or lime juice. If it’s too thin, whisk in a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar until it’s perfect for drizzling. Once your cake is totally cool – and I mean *completely* cool – drizzle that beautiful glaze all over the top. Let it drip down the sides. It looks so pretty and adds that extra burst of tangy flavor!

Tips for the Perfect Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze

Okay, so you’ve made my Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze, and it’s looking good! But let’s talk about how to make sure it’s *absolutely perfect* every single time. Little things make a big difference, you know? So, remember to always, always use room-temperature ingredients. It really helps everything emulsify nicely. And when you’re mixing that batter, just mix until it’s *barely* combined. Seriously, a few little flour streaks are totally fine!

Achieving the Ideal Texture

The secret to that super moist and tender crumb? It’s all about creaming that butter and sugar really well and then not overmixing the batter once you add the flour. That’s it! Simple, right?

Glaze Consistency Control

Getting the glaze just right is easy peasy. If it’s too thick, just stir in a tiny splash more milk or lime juice. If it’s too thin, whisk in a tablespoon or two of powdered sugar until it’s perfect for drizzling.

Frequently Asked Questions about Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze

Got questions about my famous Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze? I’ve got answers! Baking is all about making it work for you, so let’s dive into some common things people ask.

Can I use regular limes instead of key limes for this Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze?

Absolutely! If you can’t find key limes, regular lime juice is a great substitute. Just start with the same amount and taste as you go – you might need a little more or less depending on how tart your limes are!

How should I store leftover Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze?

This cake is pretty forgiving! You can keep it covered at room temperature for a couple of days, especially if it’s not too hot. For longer storage, pop it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays wonderfully moist!

What is the best way to get a smooth glaze on my Key Lime Pound Cake?

The trick to a super smooth glaze is to whisk it really well until there are no lumps. Also, make sure your pound cake is completely cool before you drizzle it on. A warm cake can make the glaze melt and get messy!

Estimated Nutritional Information for Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze

Just a heads-up, the nutritional info for this delicious Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze is an estimate, okay? It can totally change depending on the brands you use and how big you slice it. But generally, one slice is around 450 calories, with about 55g of sugar and 25g of fat. It also has roughly 55g of carbohydrates. It’s a treat, for sure!

Share Your Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze Experience!

I just LOVE hearing from you all! So, if you make this Key Lime Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze, please, please, PLEASE leave a comment below and let me know how it turned out. Did you love it? Did your family devour it? I’d also love it if you rated it! And if you share pictures on social media, tag me! It makes my day!

Zonnige Key Lime Cake: 1 heerlijke traktatie.

Author: smaakvolle.nl
Total Time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Yield: 12 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

A classic pound cake infused with the bright, tart flavor of key limes and topped with a sweet and tangy citrus glaze.

Ingredients

Scale

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups granulated sugar
5 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup key lime juice
1/4 cup milk
For the Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup key lime juice
2 tablespoons milk

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 325°F (160°C). Grease and flour a 10-inch tube pan.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Stir in the vanilla extract and key lime juice.
In a small bowl, combine the milk.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Do not overmix.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and spread evenly.
Bake for 70-80 minutes, or until a wooden skewer inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the cake cool in the pan for 15 minutes before inverting it onto a wire rack to cool completely.
For the glaze, whisk together the powdered sugar, key lime juice, and milk until smooth.
Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake.

Notes

Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for the best cake texture.
You can substitute regular lime juice for key lime juice if needed, but adjust the quantity to taste.
The glaze can be adjusted for thickness by adding more powdered sugar or liquid.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 80 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 slice
Calories: 450
Sugar: 55g
Sodium: 150mg
Fat: 25g
Saturated Fat: 15g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0.5g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 120mg

Keywords: key lime pound cake, citrus glaze, lime cake, pound cake recipe, dessert, baking