Description
Key Lime Cream Cheese Pound Cake is a moist, dense dessert combining the richness of cream cheese with the tart, bright flavor of key limes. Finished with a citrusy glaze, it’s a tropical twist on a Southern classic.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 3/4 cups granulated sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup key lime juice (fresh or bottled)
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: 1–2 drops green food coloring
For the glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1–2 tablespoons key lime juice
- 1/2 teaspoon key lime zest
Instructions
Preheat oven to 325°F (165°C). Grease and flour a bundt or tube pan thoroughly.
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined.
- Stir in key lime juice, zest, vanilla extract, and food coloring if using.
- Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top evenly.
- Bake for 75–85 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool in the pan for 15–20 minutes, then invert onto a wire rack and let cool completely.
- For the glaze, whisk together powdered sugar, key lime juice, and zest until smooth. Drizzle over the cooled cake and let set before serving.
Notes
- Be sure to zest the limes before juicing for maximum citrus flavor.
- Let the cake cool fully before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting off.
- For a stronger key lime flavor, add a touch more zest to the batter or glaze.
- This cake can be made a day ahead and actually tastes better the next day.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 75–85 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 34g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 105mg