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Key Lime Poke Cake Recipe

Key Lime Poke Cake Recipe


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4.9 from 9 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Rich key lime poke cake offers a tangy tropical paradise of zesty flavors and creamy textures. Cool whipped cream and lime zest crown this irresistible dessert that delivers sweet-tart refreshment you cannot resist.


Ingredients

Scale

Cake Ingredients:

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 1 lime zest (optional, for extra flavor)

Cake Mix Additional Ingredients (as per box instructions):

  • Eggs
  • Vegetable oil
  • Water

Filling Ingredients:

  • 1 can (14 ounces / 397 grams) sweetened condensed milk
  • ½ cup key lime juice (bottled or fresh)
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • ½ drops green food coloring (optional, for light lime tint)

Topping Ingredients:

  • 1 container (8 ounces / 226 grams) whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
  • ½ cup powdered sugar (optional, for added sweetness)
  • Lime slices or zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare your oven environment by heating to 350F (175C) and generously coating a 9×13-inch baking vessel with non-stick spray.
  2. Craft the cake foundation by blending white cake mix per manufacturer’s guidance, gently folding in vibrant lime zest for an aromatic boost.
  3. Transfer the velvety batter into the prepared pan, allowing it to transform in the heated chamber for approximately 25-30 minutes until a slender wooden probe emerges immaculately clean.
  4. Allow the golden confection a brief resting period of 10 minutes, then meticulously perforate the surface using a wooden spoon handle, creating a network of inviting caverns.
  5. Construct a tangy lime elixir by whisking together silky sweetened condensed milk, freshly squeezed key lime juice, and additional zest, optional food coloring can enhance visual appeal.
  6. Methodically cascade the citrusy mixture across the warm cake landscape, ensuring each carefully crafted hole becomes a reservoir of zesty flavor.
  7. Submerge the cake into the refrigerator’s cool embrace for a minimum of two hours, permitting complete temperature reduction and flavor integration.
  8. Elevate the topping by combining whipped cream with a delicate dusting of powdered sugar, adjusting sweetness to personal preference.
  9. Artfully drape the creamy topping across the chilled cake, concluding with an elegant garnish of lime zest or delicate citrus slices.

Notes

  • Boost the lime flavor by adding extra zest directly into the cake batter for a more intense citrusy punch.
  • Customize the sweetness by adjusting the powdered sugar in the whipped topping to suit your taste preferences.
  • Create a gluten-free version by using a gluten-free white cake mix and checking all ingredient labels carefully.
  • Enhance the texture by ensuring the cake is still warm when poking holes, allowing maximum absorption of the lime mixture.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 250
  • Sugar: 20 g
  • Sodium: 200 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 3 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg