Lime Pie Layer Cake

Lime Pie Layer Cake

Lime Pie Layer Cake is a spectacular dessert that beautifully combines the refreshing zest of lime with the richness of a classic layer cake. This recipe offers a delightful burst of citrus flavor that tantalizes your taste buds with every slice. Imagine three moist layers of cake enriched with lime juice and zest, sandwiched between a creamy lime pie filling, and topped off with a light, fluffy whipped cream frosting. This cake not only looks stunning but also creates a memorable experience for any occasion, making it a must-try for dessert lovers everywhere. With our step-by-step guide, you’ll find that making this masterpiece is simpler than you might think, giving you a dish that’s truly worth celebrating.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Not only does this Lime Pie Layer Cake taste incredible, but it also offers several benefits that make it a fantastic choice for your next baking adventure.

• Easy Prep: This recipe uses straightforward ingredients and methods, meaning even novice bakers can successfully recreate it.
• Family-Friendly: The refreshing taste of lime is likely to be a hit with both kids and adults alike, making it perfect for family gatherings.
• Quick or Traditional: Whether you’re looking for a relatively quick cake to impress at a party or a classic dessert to perfect over the weekend, this recipe fits the bill.
• Minimal Ingredients: With basic pantry staples and a few fresh items, you don’t need to hunt for exotics, which simplifies the shopping process.

Ingredients for Lime Pie Layer Cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: Light and airy, this forms the base of the cake.
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder: Ensures your cake rises to perfection.
• 1/2 tsp salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
• 1 3/4 cups sugar: Balances the tartness of the lime for a perfectly sweet cake.
• 4 eggs: Provides structure and stability to the cake layers.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice: The star of the show, providing that bright, zesty kick.
• 1 tbsp lime zest: Intensifies the lime flavor.
• 1 cup buttermilk: Keeps the cake deliciously moist.
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk: Forms the creamy filling base with silky richness.
• 3 egg yolks: Thicken the filling and lend a rich texture.
• 2 cups heavy cream: For the luxurious whipped frosting.
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting to perfection.

Step-by-Step Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your cake pans to ensure easy release after baking.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well mixed.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract, fresh lime juice, and lime zest until well combined.
4. Mix in Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until the batter is smooth and well blended.
5. Divide and Bake: Divide the batter evenly among prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before transferring to a wire rack.
6. Prepare the Filling: While the cakes cool, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, lime zest, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.
7. Make the Frosting: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form. This will be the fluffy frosting that tops your cake.
8. Assemble the Cake: On a serving plate, layer one cake layer down, spread a generous portion of lime pie filling on top, then add the second layer of cake. Repeat with the filling, and top with the final cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream. Garnish with additional lime zest for a pop of color and flavor.

Tips & Tricks

For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a bit more lime zest to the frosting for a consistent taste throughout the cake. If you want to enhance the visual appeal, use a microplane to create decorative curls of lime zest to sprinkle on top. Ensure that your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing for best results. Keep the whipped cream frosting chilled until you’re ready to serve for optimal texture. If you find that your cake is domed after baking, use a serrated knife to level the tops for a more professional appearance.

Serving Suggestions & Pairings

Serve your Lime Pie Layer Cake with fresh berries for a beautiful color contrast and added sweetness. A scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side can create a delightful temperature contrast against the cake’s freshness. For a tasty drink pairing, consider refreshing iced tea or homemade lemonade that echoes the lime flavors in the cake.

Nutritional Information

While indulging in desserts is always a treat, it’s good to be aware of what you consume. A typical slice of Lime Pie Layer Cake (based on standard serving sizes) contains approximately 350 calories. This includes healthy fats from butter and cream as well as sugars for energy. If you’re looking to lighten your dessert, consider using yogurt instead of heavy cream for frosting, and enjoy in moderation!

Storing Tips & Variations for Lime Pie Layer Cake

If you have leftovers, store individual slices in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. This cake also freezes beautifully; just ensure it’s well-wrapped to avoid freezer burn. When serving, allow the cake to thaw in the fridge for a few hours. For a healthier variation, you can substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour, and use a sugar alternative for a lighter dessert without compromising much on flavor. Another fun spin is to add a layer of fresh fruit, like strawberries or raspberries, between the layers for a fruity twist.

Conclusion for Lime Pie Layer Cake

Lime Pie Layer Cake is an enticing dessert that deserves a place in your recipe repertoire. With its bright flavor, rich textures, and stunning presentation, it’s perfect for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion that calls for a celebration. So why wait? Gather your ingredients and get ready to impress family and friends with this wonderfully refreshing treat today!

FAQs

1. Can I make this cake in advance?

   • Yes, you can bake the cake layers a day in advance and store them wrapped in the fridge. Just assemble and frost before serving.

2. What can I use instead of buttermilk?

   • You can substitute buttermilk with a mix of regular milk and vinegar or lemon juice. Just add one tablespoon of acid to a cup of milk and let it sit for a few minutes.

3. Is there a vegetarian version of the filling?

   • Yes, you can replace the egg yolks in the lime filling with a commercial egg replacer for a vegetarian option.

4. Can I use bottled lime juice instead?

   • While fresh lime juice offers the best flavor and freshness, you can use bottled lime juice if necessary. Remember to add zest for additional flavor.

5. How do I prevent the cake from drying out?

   • Ensure you don’t over-bake. Keep an eye on the timer and check with a toothpick. Also, adding a layer of filling and frosting helps keep the cake moist.

Lime Pie Layer Cake

A spectacular dessert that beautifully combines the refreshing zest of lime with the richness of a classic layer cake, featuring moist layers of cake, creamy lime filling, and fluffy whipped cream frosting.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 30 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Cake, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 350

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cake

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour Light and airy, this forms the base of the cake.
• 2 1/2 tsp baking powder Ensures your cake rises to perfection.
• 1/2 tsp salt Enhances the overall flavor of the cake.
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened Adds richness and moisture to the cake.
• 1 3/4 cups sugar Balances the tartness of the lime for a perfectly sweet cake.
• 4 large eggs Provides structure and stability to the cake layers.
• 2 tsp vanilla extract Adds warmth and depth to the flavor.
• 1/2 cup fresh lime juice The star of the show, providing that bright, zesty kick.
• 1 tbsp lime zest Intensifies the lime flavor.
• 1 cup buttermilk Keeps the cake deliciously moist.

For the Filling

• 1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) Forms the creamy filling base with silky richness.
• 3 large egg yolks Thicken the filling and lend a rich texture.

For the Frosting

• 2 cups heavy cream For the luxurious whipped frosting.
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar Sweetens the frosting to perfection.

Method

 

Preparation

1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line your cake pans to ensure easy release after baking.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well mixed.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla extract, fresh lime juice, and lime zest until well combined.
4. Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet mixture, alternating with the buttermilk. Mix until the batter is smooth and well blended.

Baking

1. Divide the batter evenly among prepared cake pans. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Allow the cakes to cool completely in the pans before transferring to a wire rack.

Preparing the Filling

1. While the cakes cool, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, lime zest, and egg yolks in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring continuously until the mixture thickens. Remove from heat and allow it to cool.

Making the Frosting

1. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar together until stiff peaks form. This will be the fluffy frosting that tops your cake.

Assembling the Cake

1. On a serving plate, layer one cake layer down, spread a generous portion of lime pie filling on top, then add the second layer of cake. Repeat with the filling, and top with the final cake layer. Frost the top and sides of the cake with the whipped cream. Garnish with additional lime zest for a pop of color and flavor.

Notes

For an extra touch of flavor, consider adding a bit more lime zest to the frosting for a consistent taste throughout the cake. If you want to enhance the visual appeal, use a microplane to create decorative curls of lime zest to sprinkle on top. Ensure that your butter is softened to room temperature before mixing for best results. Keep the whipped cream frosting chilled until you're ready to serve for optimal texture. If you find that your cake is domed after baking, use a serrated knife to level the tops for a more professional appearance.