Zingy Key Lime Poke Cake Recipe: Sweet Summer Delight

Sweet summer days call for a zesty key lime poke cake that bursts with tropical flavor.

This dessert brings a refreshing twist to classic cake recipes.

Creamy, tangy, and irresistibly moist, the cake promises a delightful escape from ordinary sweets.

Rich cream cheese frosting complements the bright citrus notes perfectly.

Each forkful delivers a cool, smooth experience that dances across your taste buds.

The simple preparation makes this dessert a breeze for bakers of all skill levels.

Prepare to wow your guests with this crowd-pleasing treat that captures the essence of sunshine in every bite.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 13

What Goes Into A Key Lime Poke Cake

• White Cake Mix: Fluffy foundation that creates a light, airy backdrop for zesty flavors.
• Lime Zest: Bright, citrusy punch that elevates the cake's aromatic profile.

• Sweetened Condensed Milk: Creamy, rich liquid that adds luxurious sweetness and moisture.
• Key Lime Juice: Tangy essence that delivers authentic, vibrant citrus character.
• Food Coloring: Optional accent to enhance visual appeal with soft green hue.

• Whipped Topping: Silky, cloud-like layer that provides cool, creamy contrast.
• Powdered Sugar: Optional sweetener to customize topping's intensity.

• Lime Zest: Fresh, intense citrus sprinkle that adds visual and flavor pop.
• Lime Slices: Decorative touch that signals the cake's refreshing lime profile.

Baking Tools For Key Lime Poke Cake

• 9×13-inch baking dish: Essential for baking the cake evenly and creating the perfect base.
• Wooden spoon handle: Perfect for creating uniform holes in the warm cake for maximum lime mixture absorption.
• Mixing bowls: Needed for preparing cake batter, lime mixture, and whipped topping.
• Whisk: Great for blending sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and creating smooth mixtures.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.
• Toothpick: Helps check cake doneness by testing for clean removal.
• Zester or grater: Useful for preparing fresh lime zest.

How To Make Key Lime Poke Cake Easily

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350 degrees and give your baking dish a quick spray of non-stick goodness.

• Mix the Cake Base

Whip up your white cake mix following the package guide, tossing in some zesty lime shavings for an extra punch of flavor.

• Bake the Foundation

Pour the batter into your prepared pan and let it transform in the oven until perfectly golden and a toothpick comes out clean.

• Create Cake Tunnels

After the cake cools briefly, grab a wooden spoon handle and playfully poke holes all across the surface.

• Infuse with Citrus Magic

Blend sweetened condensed milk with tangy key lime juice and a sprinkle of zest, creating a vibrant lime liquid to soak into your cake.

• Let the Cake Drink

Gently drizzle the lime mixture over the warm cake, watching it seep into every delicious hole.

• Chill and Set

Tuck the cake into the refrigerator for a few hours until it’s completely cooled and set.

• Crown with Creamy Topping

Whip up a dreamy topping, adding a touch of powdered sugar if you want extra sweetness.

• Finish and Garnish

Spread the creamy layer over the chilled cake and add a final flourish of lime zest or delicate lime slices.

Tips To Nail Key Lime Poke Cake Flavor

• Make-Ahead Magic: Bake the cake a day ahead and let it chill overnight for deeper lime flavor infusion.
• Zesty Substitution: Replace key lime juice with regular lime juice or bottled key lime juice for easier preparation.
• Gluten-Free Option: Use gluten-free white cake mix and ensure all other ingredients are gluten-free certified.
• Low-Sugar Twist: Swap sweetened condensed milk with a sugar-free version and use light whipped topping to reduce calories.
• Tropical Garnish: Sprinkle toasted coconut flakes or add fresh mint leaves for extra texture and flavor complexity.

Serve Key Lime Poke Cake With Flair

• Tropical Brunch Companion: Pair this zesty cake with fresh mimosas or light citrus cocktails for a delightful weekend morning spread.
• Summer Party Showstopper: Serve chilled slices at backyard barbecues or poolside gatherings as a refreshing dessert that everyone will love.
• Afternoon Tea Delight: Present small cubes on fancy toothpicks alongside herbal tea for an elegant midday treat that brings bright, tangy flavors.
• Picnic Perfect Slice: Pack individual portions in mason jars for easy outdoor dining, creating a portable and mess-free dessert experience.

Plan Ahead And Store Key Lime Poke Cake

• Chilled Delight Storage: Wrap the cake tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent absorbing refrigerator odors. Keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.
• Freezing Magic: Slice cake into individual portions, wrap securely in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cake base and lime mixture one day ahead. Complete final topping and garnish just before serving to ensure maximum freshness and vibrant texture.
• Serving Temperature Trick: Remove cake from refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly. This allows flavors to bloom and creates a more enjoyable eating experience.

Tangy Key Lime Poke Cake Recipe

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4.6 from 35 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Key lime poke cake brings tropical zest to classic dessert lovers. Sweet condensed milk and tangy lime create a refreshing twist on traditional cake recipes. Dessert enthusiasts will savor each creamy, citrusy bite.

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Ingredients

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• 1 box white cake mix
• 1 lime zest (optional, for extra flavor)
• 3 eggs (as per box instructions)
• ⅓ cup vegetable oil (as per box instructions)
• 1 cup water (as per box instructions)
• 1 can (14 oz / 397 g) sweetened condensed milk
• ½ cup key lime juice (bottled or fresh)
• 1 tbsp lime zest
• ½ drops green food coloring (optional, for light lime tint)
• 1 container (8 oz / 226 g) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
• ½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for added sweetness)
• Lime slices or zest for garnish

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick coating.
2. Mix Cake Batter: Combine white cake mix according to package instructions, incorporating lime zest to infuse vibrant citrus notes throughout the mixture.
3. Bake and Cool: Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes until a wooden pick emerges clean. Rest the cake for 10 minutes, then create strategic perforations across the surface using a wooden spoon handle.
4. Prepare Lime Soak: Whisk together sweetened condensed milk, key lime juice, and additional zest, creating a tangy liquid that will transform the cake’s texture and flavor profile.
5. Saturate Cake: Methodically pour the citrus mixture over the warm cake, ensuring each puncture becomes a flavor reservoir, allowing the liquid to seep deeply into the cake’s interior.
6. Chill and Set: Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of two hours, enabling complete flavor melding and temperature stabilization.
7. Finish and Garnish: Craft a light whipped cream topping with a subtle powdered sugar dusting, spreading it elegantly across the chilled cake and completing the presentation with delicate lime zest or citrus slices.

Notes

• Zest Intensity Management: Adjust lime zest quantity based on personal citrus preference, ensuring balanced flavor without overwhelming the cake’s delicate profile.
• Moisture Control Technique: Create precise, evenly spaced holes for optimal liquid absorption, preventing soggy cake texture while maximizing flavor penetration.
• Temperature Precision: Allow cake to cool slightly before adding condensed milk mixture, preventing potential curdling and maintaining smooth, creamy consistency.
• Dietary Adaptation Strategy: Substitute white cake mix with gluten-free alternative and use low-fat condensed milk for lighter, allergy-friendly version without compromising taste.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 180 mg
• Fat: 10 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg