Thursday, February 23, 2012

Key Lime Shamrock Cake

I have lots of wonderful memories of the Florida Keys,
where the hubby and I spent our honeymoon.
Sunset on the beach, delicious food, swimming, snorkeling,
 when my husband lost his wedding ring in the ocean...


OK, so maybe that last one isn't a fond memory.

I do sometimes wonder whatever happened to that ring...
still buried in the sand?
 swallowed by a fish?
 found by another lucky tourist?


Speaking of the Florida Keys...
did you know key limes got their name because they are grown there?

They are a lot smaller than other limes, about the size of a walnut.
Squeezing a decent amount of juice out of these little guys takes a LOT of work.
So, this is how I make key lime juice easy...



Nellie & Joe's Famous Key West Lime Juice.
I buy it at my local grocery store, but am guessing it may be harder to find outside of Florida.
I have also seen it at World Market, if you have one near you.
(They are not paying me for this, I just love the stuff!)


Native Floridians (myself included) are adamant that Key lime desserts are NOT green!
So, I may get in some trouble for this cake.
But if Chicago can die their river green for St. Patrick's Day,
I can color my key lime cake green, too!

Key Lime Cake
adapted from The Cooks Next Door

  • 1 c. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 c. sugar
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 t. vanilla extract
  • 1 T. grated key lime zest
  • 1/4 c. key lime juice
  • 3 c. flour
  • 1 1/2 t. baking powder
  • 1/2 t. baking soda
  • 1/2 t. salt
  • 1 c. buttermilk (or 1 c. milk + 1 T. vinegar)
  • green food coloring (optional)
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line the bottom of your cake pans with wax paper, and grease the sides. (I used 6 inch round pans, but 8 or 9 inch would work too.)

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 3 minutes). Mixing at low speed, add the eggs one at a time. Add the vanilla, key lime juice and zest and mix well. In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until well combined. Add food coloring and mix until combined.

Batter will be thick. Pour it into the pans and smooth the tops. Bake for 35-40 minutes until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Allow to cool on a rack.


Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 1/2 c. unsalted butter, softened
  • 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
  • 2 T. key lime juice
  • 1 t. grated key lime zest
  • 6 c. confectioners' sugar
In a large bowl, cream butter and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add key lime juice and zest, and mix well. Add the sugar a few cups at a time, and beat until fluffy.


If you like key lime pie, you are going to LOVE this cake!
It is the perfect combination of tart and sweet...Yum!!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

I link up at these parties.




This post was featured!
TidyMom
The 36th AVENUE


52 comments:

  1. That looks delicious.... I'd like to invite you to share this @CountryMommaCooks Saturday Link and Greet Party starts(Fri.6pm.ct-Sun.)…..have a wonderful day:)

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  2. Your husband lost his wedding ring on your honeymoon? Oh my gosh - what a story to tell! I can find that key lime juice in Utah. I am a huge fan of key lime desserts.

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  3. That looks so yummy and cute!!! Great cake!

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  4. Stumbled onto your blog and just wanted to show you some blog luv! def enjoyed this post :)this looks and sounds AMAZING! def gonna try this recipe out!

    http://infinitelifefintess.com
    http://mscomposure.blogspot.com

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  5. This looks fabulous! I'm so terrible at decorating. Thank goodness my cakes taste good.

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  6. What a gorgeous cake. I love that it's green. :) I need to go to Florida. That's one of my never-been-but-dying-to-go states.

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  7. My family does it up big for St. Patrick's Day so I may be trying this recipe. I know it would be a big hit! I'm visiting from the Blog Hop and following you via Linky Followers. I hope you'll pop over to Cottage and Creek and follow back me back via Linky.
    Lynn
    www.cottageandcreek.com

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  8. This is adorable!
    I’d love if you would come link this up at From Scratch Friday!

    ~Christina
    www.marriagefromscratch.blogspot.com

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  9. So cute!! Visiting from the Linky Party Hop!! I hope you’ll visit – www.LaughterandGrace.com – and follow me.

    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  10. Im sure all the Cetic fans here in Scotland will love this cake. Excellent job and lovely blog.
    Catering Equipment

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  11. this sounds awesome! Saw your tye dye cake at Craftomanic and just had to follow you.
    -Jesika
    craftgeekjj.blogspot.com

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  12. Gorgeous! Yes, I LOVE anything key lime...and it is difficult to find the juice around here. You're right that World Market carries it...at times...here. :-) You amaze me with your decorating talent every time I see another creation.

    Hope you're having an awesome weekend!
    xo
    Pat

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  13. Thank you for using Key lime juice and not just lime juice when you quote that it is Key. I will try this recipe because of that alone.

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  14. you're cakes are always so fantastic!

    Thanks for linking up! I featured your post in my wrap up http://tidymom.net/2012/st-patricks-day-ideas/

    Have a great weekend!

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  15. I love key lime anything. I will have to try this recipe. The green looks perfect. I am your newest follower. http://holimess.blogspot.com/

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  16. Yum! I love key lime, and can't wait to try it!

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  17. This cake is AMAZING! I'm a new follower via LF and GFC. If you get a chance stop by www.thenymelrosefamily.blogspot.com. I'm cohosting a bloglovin' blog hop tomorrow and would love if you would join.

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  18. Sounds so tasty! Who cares if native Floridians insist on no green? Your green is less about the flavor and more about the holiday anyway!

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  19. I too have spent my days in the Florida Keys, and KeyLime Pie is my favorite! Maybe some key Lime curd for a filling next time? :)

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  20. Gorgeous as always and it sounds delicious too!! I'll be featuring you on the spotlight post tonight! Anything with lime is always a winner in my book!

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  21. Oh my goodness does that look and sound divine! Please share this delicious recipe at Mix it up Monday:

    http://flourmewithlove.blogspot.com/2012/02/mix-it-up-monday_26.html

    I hope to see you soon :)

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  22. I love key lime pie, I can't wait to try this!

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  23. Oh my goodness! This cake looks and must be heavenly. I adore Key Lime. Your rainbow cake blew me away with so much color. I just found your blog through http://www.crazyforcrust.com
    I am your newest follower......Can't wait to try this....

    Linda

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  24. This looks so pretty and sounds just amazing! I am pinning it and hoping I have time to make it sometime in the next two weeks. :)

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  25. Wow - what an adorable, yummy looking cake! Love it! Great way to celebrate St. Patrick's day! I'm a new follower, can't wait to see what you post next! Cheers ~ Mary (sweetlittlebluebird.com)

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  26. What a BEAUTIFUL cake!! I love that you chose LIME as the green flavor. I always think "mint" and I'm not so much in love with mint.

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  27. Key lime is sooo good...can't wait to try the cake! We loved having you link up to "Strut Your Stuff Saturday." We hope to have you back again soon!! -The Sisters

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  28. This cake is gorgeous and sounds yummy too, and being featured today at Mrs. Fox's Sweet Party! Hope you will stop by and join us again :)

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  29. WOW!! This looks sooo delish!!! we love cakes and all things party! feel free to link to my linky party. It runs from Tues-Frid :)

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  30. My mouth is watering! I love Key Lime, can't wait to try this!

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  31. I love this recipe. I hope you will stop by and link up to my St. Patty's Day Project Parade.

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  32. What a very pretty cake! It looks and sounds delicious! So fun stopping by to visit with your this morning!
    Kindly. Lorraine

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  33. lovely cake i will have to try this as i am a Floridian as well

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  34. Hi! I stumbled onto your blog a few weeks ago and when I saw this cake I knew I just had to make it! Thank you so much for the inspiration. My guests loved it! http://onecakeaweek.blogspot.com/2012/03/st-patricks-day-key-lime-shamrock-cake.html

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  35. I have to ask-- where did you get the clover plate the cake is on? It's so cute!! By any chance did you get it on the internet? ( My daughter's name is Clover, so I've started collecting them...)
    p.s. I honeymooned in the Florida Keys too!

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    Replies
    1. The cake plate is just that...a plate! I bought it at my local HomeGoods store. I put it on top of a teacup for the pics, to give it some height. BTW, Clover is a really cute name. :0)

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  36. My daughter's high school musical is on the 17th this year. It's the only day I can go, since I'm working the other two nights. I'm going to make this cake for her and the extended family who are coming to see her dance as a Death Row Cutie in Chicago. Thanks for a great idea to make the day more special.

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  37. Neat idea for St. P's. I'd love to have you join me at Seasonal Sundays.

    - The Tablescaper

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  38. Looks like an awesome cake. I am going to make it for our O'Reilly family dinner Friday night. One question: If I use the milk/vinegar as a substitute for buttermilk, would I use just plain white vinegar?

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    Replies
    1. Yes, I use white vinegar. Let the milk/vinegar mixture sit for about 5 minutes before you use it. Hope you enjoy the cake and have a fun family dinner! :0)

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  39. Hi! I featured you on Fun Friday Finds today. I hope you will stop by and check it out. Grab a "Featured" button while you are there if you'd like. Thanks! http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com/2012/03/fun-friday-finds-st-patricks-day.html

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  40. I love this cake!!! I would not have thought about key lime this time of year but that is amazing! I loved it so much that I added you to my St. Patricks Day round up! Come check it out
    http://www.pandpkitchen.com/2012/03/17/st-patricks-day-roundup/

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  41. I just made this cake for my Mom's annual St Patrick's Day party. Everyone loved it so much!! They were all raving!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

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  42. I'm making this today for my daughter's birthday. I'm super excited to use it. In the directions for the frosting it says to cream the butter and sugar as the first step. I think you meant to say to cream the butter and cream cheese since you say later on to add the sugar.. Also, I was able to find the Key West Lime juice at my Walmart in Utah. Thanks for the recipe! I'm thinking of making your yummy looking chocolate chip cheesecake cake for my husband's birthday. It looks delicious!!

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    Replies
    1. I just fixed my mistake...thanks so much for catching it, Tiff! After all these comments, you were the only to point it out. That is awesome that you found the key lime juice in Utah! I am excited for you to make the cake, because it really is SO good. :0)

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  43. Made this for a St. Paddy's dinner party - colored it emerald green. With the white frosting, looked terrific, and it's an INCREDIBLY GOOD cake - raves all around and requests for the recipe. THANX!

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  44. That looks so great! I could dive into that key lime cream cheese frosting..ridiculous!

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  45. I bought the same key lime juice here in California. I'm thinking I will make this for my mom's birthday, she loves key lime anything!

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Your comments put a great BIG smile on my face!! Thanks for stopping by! :0)

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