The Best Key Lime Cake Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is key lime cake made of? ›

For the Key Lime Cake

In a large mixing bowl, mix the sugar, flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and gelatin, and mix well. In a medium sized bowl, mix the eggs, oil, orange juice, lime juice, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. Add the egg mixture to the dry mixture and mix until just incorporated.

Key limes have a flavor that is different from regular limes. They are more acidic and have a more intense, tangy taste – more “lime-y,” if you will. Some people describe the flavor of key limes as slightly sweet with a hint of bitterness. They also have a floral aroma that is more noticeable than regular limes.

The Key lime has thinner rind and is smaller, seedier, more acidic and more aromatic than the Persian lime (Citrus × latifolia). It is valued for its characteristic flavor. The name comes from its association with the Florida Keys, where it is best known as the flavoring ingredient in Key lime pie.

They say key lime pie originated in Key West some time toward the end of the 1800s. As the story goes, one William Curry, a prominent Key West resident and Bahamian-born immigrant who became Florida's first millionaire, had a cook called “Aunt Sally” who concocted the first pie from key limes.

(Some residents of the Florida Keys and true Key lime pie aficionados will only use Key limes from the Keys.) If you can't find them anywhere, however, you can substitute a combination of regular fresh lime juice and fresh lemon juice in equal proportions.

Although they are picked when they're green, they actually begin to turn yellow as they ripen. In terms of taste, key limes have a higher acidity, making them a little more tart than what we consider "regular limes." This makes them ideal for pairing with sweeter ingredients, hence the ever-popular Key lime pie.

Key limes, which are known for being particularly aromatic, are typically sweeter in taste, making them a perfect ingredient for the refreshing pie they're most known for (or for these fun Key lime pie-inspired s'mores).

Key lime nutrition is similar to Persian lime, even though it's a smaller fruit. It contains a healthy serving of vitamin C and fiber, with few calories. It also provides health-boosting metabolites, including: alkaloids.

Key lime pie ingredients are simple: sweetened condensed milk, lots of lime zest and juice (preferably from key limes), and just enough egg to give it a good set. Pour the filling into a pre-baked graham cracker crust, bake briefly until the pie is set, and let it chill. Top the pie with whipped cream and serve.

Because it is sweet and tart at the same time, and the citrus-y tang is refreshing. What's not to like? It's sweetened key lime juice (not Persian lime juice) and egg yolks, and some lime zest mixed together and baked in a graham-ginger crust.

What is key lime pie crust made of? ›

Similar to coconut cream pie and lemon meringue pie, key lime pie can be made with a graham cracker/cookie crust or a traditional pie crust. I always opt for a graham cracker crust because it's quick to prepare. Plus, why fuss with finicky pie dough when a graham cracker crust tastes so good?