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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set the oven to 350F (175C) and thoroughly spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with non-stick coating.
- Mix Cake Batter: Combine white cake mix according to package instructions, incorporating lime zest to infuse vibrant citrus notes throughout the mixture.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the cake for a minimum of two hours, enabling complete flavor melding and temperature stabilization.
- 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