“When my husband needs a dish for a spread at work he always volunteers a dessert & asked me to make this.

This Key Lime Poke Cake is a simple yet incredibly flavorful dessert. A moist white cake is infused with a tangy key lime filling and topped with a light and sweet whipped cream, creating a refreshing treat that’s perfect for any occasion.

Key Lime Poke Cake

Ingredients:

Cake Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity	Notes
White cake mix	1 box	Plus ingredients called for on the box

Filling Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Sweetened condensed milk	1 (14 oz) can
Heavy whipping cream	¾ cup
Bottled key lime juice	½ cup
Lime zest	1 lime

Topping Ingredients:

Ingredient	Quantity
Heavy whipping cream	1 ½ cups
Vanilla extract	1 teaspoon
Powdered sugar	½ cup

Optional Garnish:

Ingredient	Quantity
Sliced limes	As needed
Lime zest	As needed

Instructions:

1. Bake Cake: Prepare and bake the white cake according to the instructions on the box in a 9×13 inch baking pan.
2. Poke Holes: Once the cake is baked, let it cool in the pan for 5 minutes. Then, using the handle of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over the surface of the cake. Be sure to poke deeply, but don’t go all the way through to the bottom of the pan. Set the cake aside.
3. Prepare Key Lime Filling: In a medium bowl, combine the sweetened condensed milk, ¾ cup of heavy whipping cream, and the zest from 1 lime. Whisk these ingredients together until well combined.
4. Add Lime Juice and Thicken: Add the ½ cup of bottled key lime juice to the mixture and whisk again until it is fully incorporated. The mixture will start to thicken fairly quickly.
5. Pour Filling Over Cake: Carefully pour the key lime filling evenly over the poked cake. Use a spatula to gently spread the filling, encouraging it to seep down into the holes.
6. Chill Cake: Cover the cake and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour to allow the filling to soak into the cake and for the cake to chill thoroughly. You can also chill it for longer, even overnight.
7. Make Whipped Cream Topping: While the cake is chilling, prepare the whipped cream topping. In a medium bowl, pour in the 1 ½ cups of heavy whipping cream and add the vanilla extract. Beat the cream with an electric mixer on medium speed until it starts to thicken.
8. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the thickening cream, continuing to beat on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form. This means the whipped cream will hold its shape when the beaters are lifted. Be careful not to overbeat.
9. Frost the Cake: Once the cake is thoroughly chilled, spread the prepared whipped cream evenly over the top of the cake.
10. Garnish (Optional): If desired, garnish the Key Lime Poke Cake with thin slices of fresh lime and additional lime zest for a pop of color and extra lime aroma.
11. Serve and Enjoy: Slice the Key Lime Poke Cake and serve chilled. Enjoy this tangy, creamy, and refreshing dessert!