Key Lime Poke Cake
This Key Lime Poke Cake is ideal for summer parties and get-togethers. It’s light, moist, and bursting with sweet-tart flavor! Plus it’s incredibly easy to make.
You will need a handful of ingredients and a little bit of time to make this refreshing cake recipe. So, make a quick trip to the grocery store and get ready to enjoy this citrus flavored dessert with your guests.
Table of contents
❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- This Key Lime Poke Cake is the perfect combination of sweet and tart.
- It’s light, moist, and absolutely delicious!
- Plus it’s easy to make – all you need are some basic ingredients and a little bit of time.
- It’s an impressive cake recipe that won’t break the bank or take hours to make.
🛒Ingredients
To make this zesty poke cake recipe you will need a few simple ingredients. After a quick trip to your local grocery store, you will have a sweet treat that your whole family will love in no time at all.
- white cake mix – prepared as directed on the box
- sweetened condensed milk
- Key lime juice
- heavy whipping cream
- Zest from one lime
- Green food coloring
- frozen whipped topping
- Zest from one lime
- Lime slices
See the recipe card below for quantities.
🔪 How to Make Key Lime Poke Cake
Making this delicious poke cake is so simple. Just follow the directions below and you will have a tasty lime dessert that’s perfect for summer that your friends and family will love in no time at all.
Step 1: Bake the cake
Prepare the cake according to the package instructions in a 9×13 baking dish and allow to cool completely.
Step 2: Poke the holes in the cake
Use a fork or wooden skewer to poke small holes all over the cake.
Step 3: Make the filling for the cake
In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, lime juice, whipping cream, lime zest, and green food coloring until just combined.
Step 4: Add the filling and chill
Spread the mixture over the top of the cake. Cover the pan and place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for one hour.
Step 5: Frost the cake and chill
Spread the whipped topping over the entire cake. You may not need the whole container to cover the cake. Cover the pan and return the cake to the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour or up to overnight.
Step 6: Garnish and serve
Top the whipped cream with lime zest and lime slices before serving.
📝Variations
Do you want to change up this recipe and make it your own? Here are some ways that you can do that!
- Fruits: Use other citrus juices such as orange or grapefruit in place of the key lime juice.
- Graham Crackers: Add a layer of graham cracker crumbs to the top of the cake for an extra crunchy texture.
- Food coloring: Skip the green food coloring if you would like a less vibrant cake.
- Frosting: Substitute cream cheese frosting for a richer flavor.
If you love key lime dessert recipes you may also enjoy this Key Lime Strawberry Cheesecake recipe.
🥄 Equipment
You only need a few kitchen tools to help you make this key lime cake. Gather these tools and get ready to enjoy this tangy sweet.
- wooden spoon
- 9×13 casserole dish
- mixing bowls
- whisk
- plastic wrap or lid
🥫 Storage
This poke cake can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. It is best served cold, so it’s perfect for making ahead of time. Just cover the cake tightly and store it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.
💭 Tips
Follow these tips to make sure your cake turns out perfectly every time.
- Make sure to use key lime juice and zest for the best flavor!
- Mix the filling ingredients together well before spreading it on top of the cake.
- Gently spread the whipped topping over the cake so that it doesn’t disturb the layer underneath.
- We’ve found that the back of a wooden spoon works best to poke the holes in this cake.
⁉️ FAQ
Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.
If your poke cake is soggy it means that you have added too much liquid. Make sure to use the measurements listed in the recipe and add just enough liquid to moisten the cake without making it soggy.
Yes, this poke cake can be made up to a day ahead of time. Just make sure to cover it tightly and store it in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it.
The cake gets its name from the small holes that are poked into it before adding the filling. The holes allow the liquid to seep into the cake and make it extra moist and flavorful.
🍽 More Key Limes Recipes
Do you enjoy key lime, try these delicious recipes:
📌 PIN IT!!
🧾Recipe Card
Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.
Key Lime Poke Cake
Equipment
- mixing bowls
- 9×13 casserole dish
- wooden skewer or wooden spoon
Ingredients
- 15.25 ounces white cake mix prepared in a 9×13 pan
- 14 ounces sweetened condensed milk
- ½ cup Key lime juice
- ½ cup heavy whipping cream
- Zest from one lime
- Green food coloring optional
For Topping:
- 16 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- Zest from one lime
- Lime slices
Instructions
- Prepare the cake according to the package instructions in a 9×13 baking dish and allow to cool completely.
- Use a fork or wooden skewer to poke small holes all over the cake.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the condensed milk, lime juice, whipping cream, lime zest, and green food coloring until just combined.
- Spread the mixture over the top of the cake. Cover the pan and place the cake in the refrigerator to chill for one hour.
- Spread the whipped topping over the entire cake. You may not need the whole container to cover the cake. Cover the pan and return the cake to the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour or up to overnight.
- Top the whipped cream with lime zest and lime slices before serving.
