Green Cake (Lime Cake) Recipe
If you’re searching for a dessert that’s as vibrant and refreshing as it is delicious, look no further than Green Cake (Lime Cake)! This show-stopping treat is bursting with bright citrus flavor, a playful pop of green color, and a luscious, velvety topping that you’ll want to eat by the spoonful. Incredibly simple to make with pantry-friendly ingredients, Green Cake (Lime Cake) always feels like a special occasion—whether you’re hosting a spring brunch or just need a little midweek celebration!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Green Cake (Lime Cake) is how it transforms basic ingredients into a delightfully zesty dessert. Every item here plays a role: the gelatin brings that signature green color, fresh lime wakes everything up, and sweetened condensed milk creates the silkiest topping imaginable.
- Eggs at room temperature: Gives structure and richness to the cake, helping it rise beautifully.
- Milk at room temperature: Adds moisture and a tender crumb to your cake; room temperature ensures the batter blends evenly.
- Vegetable oil: Makes the cake extra moist while keeping the flavor neutral so the vibrant lime shines through.
- Freshly squeezed lime juice: Brings bright, tangy flavor you just can’t get from bottled juice.
- Lime zest: Packs intense citrus aroma and zing—don’t skip it!
- Lime flavored gelatin powder: This is what gives Green Cake (Lime Cake) its trademark color and a hint of playful lime sweetness.
- All-purpose flour: The essential base that gives the cake structure and softness.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter, balancing out the tartness of the lime.
- Baking powder: Your key to a fluffy, well-risen cake; always check it’s active for perfect results.
- Salt: Just a pinch wakes up all the other flavors.
- Sweetened condensed milk: This makes the dreamy, creamy topping—it’s sticky, sweet, and utterly addictive.
- Additional freshly squeezed lime juice: For the topping, it gives a final kick of tart freshness and helps set the topping.
- Additional lime flavored gelatin powder: Used in the topping to intensify that signature color and flavor.
- Hot water: Dissolves the gelatin powder, ensuring a perfectly smooth topping layer.
How to Make Green Cake (Lime Cake)
Step 1: Prep Your Pan
Begin by lining an 8-inch (20cm) square pan with parchment paper, allowing a bit of overhang for easy lifting. This is the secret to a mess-free, neatly sliced Green Cake (Lime Cake). A little parchment paper now saves a lot of frustration later!
Step 2: Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 350°F (180°C). Give it about 5 minutes to fully come up to temperature—this bit of advance planning guarantees the cake starts baking immediately, resulting in an even crumb and consistent rise.
Step 3: Whisk the Eggs
Crack the eggs into a large mixing bowl and whisk them for about a minute. Vigorous whisking introduces air, which helps make your Green Cake (Lime Cake) delightfully light and fluffy. Don’t rush this part!
Step 4: Combine the Wet Ingredients and Gelatin
Add the milk, vegetable oil, freshly squeezed lime juice, lime zest, and lime flavored gelatin powder to the eggs. Whisk everything together until you have a beautifully unified, brightly colored mixture—the zingy aroma at this point is pure heaven!
Step 5: Add the Dry Ingredients
Sift the all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt right over your wet mixture. Sifting ensures there are no lumps, and gently whisking until just combined guarantees a soft, tender cake—overmixing can lead to toughness, so stop as soon as no dry streaks remain.
Step 6: Check Your Baking Powder (Optional but Important!)
Here’s a quick baker’s trick: if you’re not sure about your baking powder’s freshness, sprinkle half a teaspoon into a glass of warm water. If it fizzes actively, it’s good to go! Fresh baking powder is what will make your Green Cake (Lime Cake) rise beautifully.
Step 7: Bake
Pour the batter into your prepared pan and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes—when a toothpick in the center comes out clean, your cake is ready. Expect your kitchen to fill with the most irresistible lime-citrus scent.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Let the cake cool right in the pan, uncovered, until it reaches room temperature. This ensures the topping will set perfectly and not slide around once added.
Step 9: Whisk Up the Topping
In a medium bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and more freshly squeezed lime juice. The acidity thickens the mixture slightly, turning it into a luscious, tangy-sweet blanket for your Green Cake (Lime Cake).
Step 10: Prepare the Gelatin
Pour hot water over the additional lime flavored gelatin powder and stir until completely dissolved. This step ensures your topping doesn’t become gritty—take your time to make sure every last bit melts!
Step 11: Finish and Chill
Pour the melted gelatin into the lime-condensed milk mixture and stir until smooth and uniform. Immediately spread this dreamy topping over the cooled cake, then refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This chilling time helps the topping set beautifully for stunning slices and the ultimate creamy texture.
How to Serve Green Cake (Lime Cake)
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of extra lime zest, some edible flowers, or even a light dusting of powdered sugar can transform each slice of Green Cake (Lime Cake) into a dreamy dessert shop masterpiece. For even more color, add candied lime slices or a curl of whipped cream just before serving.
Side Dishes
This cake is delightfully punchy on its own, but pairs especially well with a bowl of fresh mixed berries or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. A little spoonful of extra whipped cream or crème fraîche brings out the lime flavor and makes each bite even more luxurious.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting Green Cake (Lime Cake) into fun shapes with cookie cutters (think hearts or stars for parties!), or layer cubes of the cake into parfait glasses with whipped topping and extra fruit. For gatherings, serve the cake on a big platter with lime wedges and mint leaves scattered around for a pop of color and freshness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover Green Cake (Lime Cake) tightly with plastic wrap or transfer slices to an airtight container. It keeps well in the fridge for up to 4 days, staying moist and flavorful while the topping holds its creamy texture.
Freezing
You can freeze Green Cake (Lime Cake) for up to 2 months! Slice it first, wrap the pieces individually in plastic, then store them in a zip-top bag. When you’re ready for a treat, simply thaw slices in the fridge for a few hours or overnight.
Reheating
While Green Cake (Lime Cake) is best enjoyed chilled, if you prefer a softer bite, let a slice sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before digging in. Avoid microwaving, since this could melt and separate the luscious topping.
FAQs
Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh?
Freshly squeezed lime juice is truly the secret to this recipe’s bright, authentic flavor. Bottled versions can taste dull and sometimes bitter, but if you’re in a pinch, choose a high-quality brand without added preservatives.
Is it possible to make this cake without the gelatin powder?
The lime-flavored gelatin does double duty: it gives both color and a subtle limey sweetness to the cake and topping. If you skip it, you’ll miss the signature color and some flavor, but you could use a drop or two of green food coloring along with extra lime zest for a similar effect.
What’s the best way to zest a lime?
Use a fine microplane or zester, scraping only the bright green part and avoiding the bitter white pith underneath. Always zest your limes before juicing them—it’s much easier that way!
Can I double the recipe for a bigger crowd?
Absolutely! Simply double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13 inch pan, checking for doneness at 35-40 minutes. The Green Cake (Lime Cake) will turn out just as beautifully and serves a large group with ease.
Does the color fade over time?
The lovely green hue from the gelatin will hold up well for several days if the cake stays covered and refrigerated. For the brightest presentation, serve within the first couple days after making it.
Final Thoughts
Green Cake (Lime Cake) is that irresistible treat you’ll find yourself making again and again—especially when you want to impress with something both easy and visually spectacular. I hope you’ll give it a try soon, and discover just how much fun (and flavor!) this playful cake brings to your table.
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Green Cake (Lime Cake) Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
- Yield: 1 8-inch square cake 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Green Cake, also known as Lime Cake, is a delightful and refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion. The zesty lime flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet condensed milk topping, creating a moist and tangy treat that everyone will love.
Ingredients
Cake:
- 2 Large eggs at room temperature
- 3/4 cup (180g) Milk at room temperature
- 1/3 cup (75g) Vegetable oil (any flavorless vegetable oil like canola, corn, sunflower)
- 1/4 cup (60g) Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 Tbsp Lime zest
- 2 Tbsp (24g) Lime flavored gelatin powder (for the green color)
- 1 1/2 cups (180g) All-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup (150g) Granulated sugar
- 2 tsp (8g) Baking powder*
- 1/4 tsp (1g) Salt
Topping:
- 1 1/3 cups (397g) Sweetened Condensed Milk
- 1/3 cup (80g) Freshly squeezed lime juice
- 1 Tbsp (12g) Lime flavored gelatin powder
- 2 Tbsp (30g) Hot water
Instructions
- Line the pan: Line an 8in (20cm) square pan with parchment paper. Set it aside.
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C) for about 5 minutes before baking the cake.
- Mix eggs: Place the eggs in a large bowl and mix for about 1 minute using a wire whisk.
- Add wet ingredients: Add the milk, vegetable oil, lime juice, lime zest, and lime gelatin powder. Whisk until well combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: Sift the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt over the mixture. Gently whisk until just combined and smooth.
- Bake the cake: Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for about 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Prepare topping: Combine condensed milk and lime juice. Whisk until well combined. Dissolve lime gelatin in hot water, then mix with condensed milk.
- Add topping: Spread the mixture over the cooled cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Notes
- Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature for best results.
- Do not overmix the batter to avoid a dense cake texture.
- Refrigerate the cake before serving for a firmer texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (1/12 of cake)
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Keywords: Green Cake, Lime Cake, Dessert, Baking, Lime, Sweet, Condensed Milk
