A bright and refreshing cake featuring tangy key lime flavor and a sweet, vibrant raspberry glaze—perfect for celebrations, brunches, or anytime you crave a citrusy, fruity delight.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
-
Zesty key lime cake balanced with a sweet-tart raspberry finish
-
Moist, tender crumb made vibrant with citrus notes
-
Beautiful pink glaze adds color and flavor
-
Great for spring, summer, or any festive occasion
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the key lime cake:
-
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
-
1 tsp baking powder
-
½ tsp baking soda
-
½ tsp salt
-
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
-
1 cup granulated sugar
-
2 large eggs
-
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
-
Zest and juice of 2 key limes
-
1 tsp vanilla extract
For the raspberry glaze:
-
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed
-
1–1¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
-
1 Tbsp lime juice
-
Optional: pink food coloring for deeper hue
Directions
-
Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease and flour a 9‑inch round or bundt pan.
-
Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
-
Cream butter & sugar: Beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla.
-
Combine batter: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
-
Bake: Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake 25–30 minutes (round) or 30–35 minutes (bundt), until a toothpick comes out clean.
-
Cool: Let cake rest in pan for 10 minutes, then turn onto a wire rack and cool completely.
-
Make glaze: Puree raspberries and strain out seeds (if desired). Whisk raspberry puree with powdered sugar and lime juice until smooth. Adjust thickness with more sugar or lime juice.
-
Glaze the cake: Place cooled cake on a serving plate. Drizzle or pour glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
-
Serve: Let glaze set slightly, slice, and enjoy!
Servings and timing
Servings: 10–12 slices
Prep time: 15 minutes
Bake time: 25–35 minutes
Cool & glaze time: ~20 minutes
Total time: ~1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
-
Berry mix: Combine raspberries with strawberries or blueberries in the glaze
-
Coconut twist: Sprinkle toasted coconut over the glaze before it sets
-
Gluten-free: Substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
-
Lemon-lime version: Use a mix of lemon and lime juice and zest
-
Cream cheese drizzle: Mix cream cheese with powdered sugar and top the glaze
Storage/Reheating
Store cake in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for up to 5 days. For best texture, bring slices to room temperature before serving. Reheat gently by warming briefly in a low oven (300 °F) if desired.
FAQs
Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?
Yes—use regular lime zest and juice; the flavor will be slightly less tart but still vibrant.
Can I make the cake gluten-free?
Absolutely—swap in a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend and bake as directed.
Can I use store-bought raspberry jam instead of fresh berries?
You can—thin 3 Tbsp jam with a bit of water or lime juice until drizzle-able and use instead of glaze.
How do I prevent the glaze from sliding off?
Ensure the cake is completely cool before glazing; chill briefly before pouring if needed.
Can I bake in a loaf pan instead?
Yes—bake at 350 °F for about 40–45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Can I make mini bundt cakes?
Yes—use mini bundt pans and reduce bake time to ~20 minutes, checking doneness early.
Is this cake dairy-free?
You can substitute plant-based yogurt and vegan butter to make it dairy-free.
Can I make the glaze ahead?
Make the glaze and store it in the fridge for up to 2 days; bring to room temperature and thin if needed before using.
How do I store leftover cake?
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge; bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
What toppings pair well?
Add fresh raspberries, lime slices, mint leaves, or toasted coconut for garnish.
Conclusion
This Raspberry Glazed Key Lime Cake combines bright citrus flavor with sweet-tart berry glaze for a stunning, delicious dessert. With its moist crumb and eye-catching pink topping, it’s perfect for any gathering or moment you want a fresh and festive treat. Enjoy every vibrant slice!
Print
Raspberry Glazed Key Lime Cake
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 10–12 slices
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A bright and refreshing cake featuring tangy key lime flavor and a sweet, vibrant raspberry glaze—perfect for celebrations, brunches, or anytime you crave a citrusy, fruity delight.
Ingredients
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
½ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
Zest and juice of 2 key limes
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries, thawed
1–1¼ cups powdered sugar, sifted
1 Tbsp lime juice
Optional: pink food coloring for deeper hue
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F. Grease and flour a 9-inch round or bundt pan.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- In another bowl, beat softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in sour cream, lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
- Pour batter into prepared pan and smooth the top.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes (round) or 30–35 minutes (bundt), or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
- Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Puree raspberries and strain to remove seeds (optional). Whisk with powdered sugar and lime juice until smooth. Adjust thickness as needed.
- Once cake is completely cool, drizzle glaze evenly over the top, allowing it to drip down the sides.
- Let the glaze set slightly before slicing and serving.
Notes
Combine raspberries with strawberries or blueberries for a mixed berry glaze.
Sprinkle toasted coconut over the glaze for a tropical touch.
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version.
Replace lime with a mix of lemon and lime juice for variation.
Add a cream cheese drizzle over or under the raspberry glaze for added richness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg