This Key Lime Cake is topped with a coconut frosting that makes it taste absolutely amazing! The rum glaze and homemade coconut frosting makes this the best tropical tropical cake. Such an easy cake recipe to make for spring or summer parties or events.
Make this Fruit Punch recipe to serve with this coconut layer cake.
I have rediscovered my cake love. Oh, don't get me wrong. I never left my cake love. Eating cake is something I do best.
What I mean is that I have been baking more cakes lately. This is the 10th cake I have made since this Strawberry Cake happened.
Have you seen the "naked" cakes? They are so different and pretty looking, not to mention a whole heck of a lot easier to frost! Just slap some frosting on and plop the next layer of cake on top! Easy, peasy!
I made this fun Dark Chocolate Cake this way, and now I'm all about adding more naked cakes to my baking life! LOL!
One of my favorite things to do is make a doctored cake mix and jazz it up with fun ingredients. Gotta love baking treats that look and taste like they came from a bakery, right?
How to improve boxed cake mix:
- Replace water with some kind of dairy like milk or buttermilk.
- Add an additional egg to make the cake richer.
- Use other liquids instead of water. Coffee, juice, or soda add a fun flavor to a box mix.
- Add a box of dry instant pudding mix to give the cake a denser, moist texture.
- Add extracts to boost the flavor.
For this citrus cake, I substituted a little bit of key lime juice for the liquid that the box mix called for.
As the cakes were baking, I started thinking back to our honeymoon in Key West. Eating chocolate covered key lime pie is one of my favorite memories.
While we were Exploring Key West in a Day last summer, I had to have another slice of this key lime pie from the little shop on the island.
The other thing we always do when in Key West is to walk around the shops. The rum cake shop that offers free samples is one of our favorites.
All of a sudden, I knew a rum glaze was just what this key lime cake needed!
The rum glaze added so much flavor and moisture to this easy coconut cake.
How to make a Key Lime Cake with Coconut Frosting:
- Mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, key lime juice and zest, and milk.
- Pour evenly into 2 - greased 8 inch cake pans and bake.
- Let the cakes cool 10 minutes in the pan, then poke them with a fork.
- Heat the butter, sugar, and juice in a sauce pan until melted. Bring to a boil, then stir in the rum and simmer one minute.
- Slowly pour the rum glaze over the tops of the cake.
- Flip the cakes out of the pan onto a plate, then place another plate on top and flip them right side up, so they do not crack and split. Let the cakes cool completely.
- Use a sharp knife to level the tops of the cooled cakes before adding frosting.
- Divide the coconut frosting in half and layer it with the cakes.
- Sprinkle the top of the cake with shredded coconut.
- Keep refrigerated until you are ready to serve the key lime cake.
BRUCREW TIP: Right before serving add fresh key lime slices all around the top of the frosted layer cake.
Other coconut cake recipes:
This Strawberry Poke Cake is made with three kinds of milk and is frosted with a creamy topping and shredded coconut. It’s the perfect spring dessert.
This creamy Chocolate Coconut Cake will get rave reviews from the coconut lovers in your life. Make a pan and watch it disappear!
Pineapple and coconut add a fun summer twist to this easy Pina Colada Cake. It’s a great dessert for summer picnics or barbecues.
The Best Coconut Pound Cake is tender and fluffy enough for the perfect crumb, sweet but not overly sweet, with just the right amount of coconut flavor in every bite.
This Coconut Cream Cake is easy to make and enjoy. Three times the coconut in it makes the flavor shine through.
The easy layers in this no bake Eclair Cake will satisfy all the chocolate and coconut lovers in your life.
Recipe
Key Lime Cake with Coconut Frosting Recipe
This Key Lime Cake is topped with a homemade coconut frosting that makes it taste absolutely amazing! The rum glaze and fluffy buttercream makes this the best tropical tropical cake. Such an easy cake to make for spring or summer parties or events.
Ingredients
For the Cake
- 1 white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- ½ cup oil
- ½ cup sour cream
- ¼ cup key lime juice
- ¾ cup milk
- 2 tablespoons key lime zest (2 key limes)
For the Glaze
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons key lime juice
- ½ cup light rum
For the Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- ½ cup vegetable shortening
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- 1 teaspoon light rum
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- ½ cup cream of coconut
- ¾ cup sweetened shredded coconut
- key lime slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 - 8 inch cake pans with nonstick baking spray or grease and flour the pans.
- Mix together the cake mix, eggs, oil, sour cream, key lime juice and zest, and milk and beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Pour the batter into the prepared pans and bake for 26-28 minutes.
- Place the sugar, butter, and key lime juice in a small sauce pan and bring to a boil. Stir in the rum and simmer for 1 minute.
- Let the cakes cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then poke the tops of the cakes with a fork. Brush the tops of the cakes with the rum glaze.
- Place a flat plate or cookie sheet on top of the cakes and flip them out gently. Place another plate on the bottom of the cakes and flip them back right side up to keep them from cracking and splitting. Let the cakes cool completely.
- Beat together the butter, shortening, extract, rum, and salt until creamy. Slowly add the powdered sugar and cream of coconut. Beat another minute or two or until light and fluffy.
- Use a sharp knife to carefully level the tops of the cakes.
- Place one cake layer on a plate. Spread half of the frosting on top of the cake. Place the second cake layer on top and spread with the rest of the frosting. Sprinkle with the shredded coconut. Add key lime slices right before serving.
Notes
*Substitute 2 Tablespoons rum extract and ¼ cup water for the rum in the glaze, if desired.
**Substitute rum extract for the rum in the frosting, if desired.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 598Total Fat: 41gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 20gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 178mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 1gSugar: 48gProtein: 4g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
*The post for this Coconut Key Lime Rum Cake was first published on April 18, 2016. The photos have been updated and it was republished on April 17, 2019.
Anna
One of the best summer cake I've ever made! It was a huge hit!
Kristyn
What a pretty cake! Coconut & lime are so refreshing together! I love how fluffy it looks too!
Trang
Can't wait to try this and thanks for including other coconut related recipes!
Gayle
Hi. Looking to make this beautiful dessert for Easter, however unable to read the full recipe directions as the "Cake Boss Baking Site" brings you to the shopping site. Thanks!
Jocelyn
Hi, Gayle. Thank you so much for letting me know the link doesn't go to the recipe anymore. I have fixed the post and recipe, so it is ready to be printed and made now. I hope you enjoy the cake!
Iarya
Damn dirty to send me to a pots and pans site trying to sell things and not being able to get to the directions, cause everytime I try it just re-directs me right back
Jocelyn
I'm not sure what you mean. When you try to see the directions for making the cake? There shouldn't be anything that redirects you anywhere. Any ads that I have on my site all have an "x" that should allow you to close it out. Please let me know what it is and I will look into it.
Angie
Sorry I forgot I went to a different page.... Jocelyn the cake is beautiful !!!!!!?
Angie
Can this cake be made a day ahead and refrigeratored....And....If so...Do I need to let it come to room temperature ???? I would like to make it tomorrow and serve it at our Prayer Meeting tomorrow night ?... Blessings to you Buddy ? Angie Reneau
Jocelyn
Yes, you can make it ahead of time and refrigerate it until you serve it. It would be good served cold or you could let it sit out for about 30 minutes. I hope you enjoy it!
Angie
Thank you for getting back with me....Have a Blessed Night (What's left of it that is...)??
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
What a bright and tropical cake! Yum! I think naked cakes are pretty too!
Julie @ Willow Bird Baking
This looks SO AMAZING. I need it right now.
Jocelyn
Thank you 🙂
Malinda @Countryside Cravings
I could so get on the naked cake train! (that sounds so horrible, lol!) I am horrible at frosting cakes!!! This flavor combo sounds amazing though!!
Jocelyn
Hahahahahaha! I can't stop laughing at your comment! Best comment I have had in a while! Love it!
Peabody (Culinary Concoctions by Peabody)
I love Rum, Coconut, and Lime together...and I love cake. So this is perfect.
Jocelyn
Sounds like we like the same type of cakes 🙂
Grace | eat, write + explore
This is so pretty! I've bookmarked this to make for my friend's birthday although I'm sure mine won't look half as beautiful as yours does!
Jocelyn
Woo hoo! I hope your friend enjoys it! And I'm sure yours will look gorgeous too...that's the fun of naked cakes! So much easier...and the more rustic, the better!!!
Maureen Blackburn
Love that you are on a cake roll, and dearly love learning about changing up A cake mix to made it so decadent that it tastes like better than homemade!!! This shall be another winner in my kitchen!!!
Jocelyn
Jazzing up cake mixes is a fun way to save time...and they taste so good too! I hope you guys enjoy this one!
Julie
I love the naked cake look! I seriously need to try one and this is the perfect one to attempt first!
Jocelyn
I am definitely all about the naked cakes right now. Less work and they still look awesome!
Mir
I wanna share cakes on the Cake Boss' site too. You are a rock star, Jocelyn!
And I'm into the naked cake look, too. Easier and still gorgeous!
Jocelyn
I don't know about rock star! It's just a fun opportunity that I have had the past few years!!!
Aimee @ ShugarySweets
Oh my word that bowl is so YOU. And this cake is so MINE.
Jocelyn
Hahaha! I know, right? Love those fun swirls on this line of bakeware!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
Those key limes are gorgeous! Coconut cakes are so lovely and light 😉 Love the rum, too!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much! This was a fun cake to decorate...and eat 😉
tanya
I love coconut cakes! This looks so pretty 🙂
Wendy
Beautiful cake! I love the tropical look and flavors. Perfect for spring/summer gatherings. 🙂
Jocelyn
Thank you! Yes, this would be a perfect summer dessert!
Anna @ Crunchy Creamy Sweet
GORGEOUS! I wish I had a slice of this cake right now. LOVE coconut and limes together.
Jocelyn
Thank you so much! I love coconut and lime together too!