Key Lime Pie Poke Cake Recipe

Introduction

This Key Lime Pie Poke Cake is a delightful fusion of tangy lime flavors and moist white cake. It’s light, creamy, and beautifully topped with lime whipped cream, making it perfect for any gathering or a refreshing dessert after a sunny day.

Ingredients

• 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients required on the box
• 4 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 cups lime curd (homemade or store-bought)
• 1 package (3 oz) JELL-O lime flavor gelatin
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 2 cups heavy whipping cream (full fat and cold)
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Zest of 1 lime
• Sliced lime, for garnish
• Lime zest, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch cake pan.
2. Step 2: Prepare the white cake mix according to the package instructions using the eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
3. Step 3: Allow the cake to cool for about 10 minutes. Then, use the bottom of a wooden spoon to poke holes evenly all over the cake.
4. Step 4: While the cake cools, dissolve the lime JELL-O gelatin in boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved and pour this mixture evenly over the cake, letting it soak into the holes.
5. Step 5: Spread the lime curd evenly on top of the cake, pressing it gently into the holes and reaching all corners.
6. Step 6: Let the cake cool to room temperature before preparing the whipped cream.
7. Step 7: In a large bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream with sugar, vanilla extract, lime juice, and lime zest until stiff peaks form.
8. Step 8: Spoon the lime whipped cream evenly over the cake and smooth the top with a spatula.
9. Step 9: Refrigerate the cake overnight or for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and the cake to set.
10. Step 10: Before serving, garnish with fresh lime zest and lime slices for an attractive finishing touch.

Tips & Variations

• For extra zest, add more lime zest to the whipped cream or sprinkle it on top before serving.
• Use homemade lime curd for a fresher, more intense flavor.
• If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar in the whipped cream slightly.
• Try substituting lemon curd and lemon gelatin for a different citrus twist.

Storage

Store the cake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the whipped cream’s texture. When ready to serve, slices can be eaten cold or brought to room temperature for 15-20 minutes for a softer bite.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cake ahead of time?

Yes, this cake actually benefits from resting overnight in the fridge, allowing the gelatin and lime curd to seep into the cake and enhance the flavor and texture.

What if I don’t have lime gelatin?

You can substitute with lemon gelatin or simply omit the gelatin step and rely on the lime curd and whipped cream for flavor and moisture, though the texture will be slightly different.

Key Lime Pie Poke Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 100 reviews

This Key Lime Pie Poke Cake is a delightful twist on classic key lime pie, featuring a moist white cake infused with lime gelatin and curd, topped with tangy lime whipped cream. Perfectly balanced with creamy and citrusy flavors, this dessert is easy to prepare and sure to impress your guests.

• Author: Dana
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus 8 hours chilling time)
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

White Cake

• 1 box white cake mix plus ingredients to prepare the mix (commonly 4 eggs, 1 cup milk, 1/3 cup vegetable oil)

Gelatin Filling

• 1 package (3 oz) JELL-O lime flavor gelatin
• 1 1/2 cups boiling water
• 3 cups lime curd (homemade or store-bought)

Lime Whipped Cream Topping

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream (full fat, cold)
• 4 tablespoons sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Zest of 1 lime

Garnish

• Sliced lime
• Lime zest

Instructions

1. Prepare White Cake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch cake pan to prevent sticking. Prepare the white cake mix according to the box instructions using the required eggs, milk, and vegetable oil. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool for 10 minutes.
2. Poke Holes in Cake: Using the bottom of a wooden spoon, gently poke holes all over the warm cake to create space for the gelatin and lime curd to seep in, maximizing flavor infusion.
3. Make Gelatin Mixture: While cake cools, dissolve the lime-flavored gelatin powder in 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Mix thoroughly until the gelatin is fully dissolved.
4. Add Gelatin to Cake: Pour the warm gelatin evenly all over the poked holes and cake surface, allowing it to soak into all parts of the cake.
5. Spread Lime Curd: Evenly spread the lime curd over the top of the cake, carefully filling the holes and ensuring the corners also receive filling for consistent flavor.
6. Cool to Room Temperature: Allow the cake to cool completely to room temperature before proceeding to the topping step.
7. Prepare Lime Whipped Cream: In a large mixing bowl, combine heavy whipping cream, sugar, vanilla extract, lime juice, and lime zest. Beat the mixture until stiff peaks form, creating a fluffy and tangy whipped cream.
8. Top the Cake: Using a spoon or spatula, spread the lime whipped cream evenly over the cooled cake, smoothing the top for a neat finish.
9. Refrigerate: Refrigerate the cake overnight or for at least 8 hours to allow flavors to meld and the cake to set nicely.
10. Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, garnish the cake with fresh lime zest and lime slices to enhance presentation and add a fresh citrus aroma.

Notes

• For best results, use fresh lime zest and juice to enhance the citrus flavor in the whipped cream and garnish.
• If you prefer a less sweet dessert, reduce the sugar in the whipped cream topping slightly.
• The lime gelatin helps infuse a tart flavor while moistening the cake layers perfectly.
• The cake needs to be refrigerated for at least 8 hours to fully set and develop its characteristic poke cake texture.
• You can substitute lime curd with lemon curd for a slightly different citrus flavor variation.

Keywords: Key Lime Pie, Poke Cake, Lime Dessert, Citrus Cake, Whipped Cream Topping, Lime Curd, Gelatin Cake