Irresistible Zesty Lime Bundt Cake Recipe for Sweet Citrus Lovers
Baking a delectable lime bundt cake with zesty lime brings sunshine right into your kitchen.
The vibrant citrus notes dance through each tender crumb, creating an irresistible dessert.
Tangy and sweet, this cake promises a delightful flavor adventure that will make your taste buds sing.
Every slice offers a burst of refreshing lime that cuts through rich, moist cake layers.
The simple ingredients blend together to craft a stunning dessert that looks as incredible as it tastes.
Minimal effort rewards you with maximum flavor in this crowd-pleasing treat.
You’ll want to serve this show-stopping bundt cake at every gathering.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 44 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 4 minutes
Calories: 330 kcal
Servings: 13
What’s in Zesty Lime Bundt Cake
For Cake Base:
White or Vanilla Cake Mix: Provides quick and reliable foundation for the cake's structure, choose a high-quality brand for best results.
Lime Yogurt or Sour Cream: Adds moisture and tanginess, select full-fat version for rich texture and better flavor development.
Oil: Ensures cake remains tender and soft, use neutral vegetable or canola oil for best outcome.
Eggs: Bind ingredients and create structure, use room temperature eggs for smoother mixing.
Lime Peel: Infuses intense citrus aroma and bright flavor, select fresh, vibrant green limes for maximum zestiness.
Lime Juice: Enhances citrus profile and adds subtle acidity, freshly squeezed juice delivers superior taste.
For Glaze Magic:
Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, glossy coating, sift to eliminate lumps for silky finish.
Melted Butter: Provides rich undertone and helps glaze set, use unsalted butter for controlled sweetness.
Lime Juice: Adds tangy brightness to glaze, freshly squeezed yields most vibrant flavor.
Milk: Adjusts glaze consistency, use whole milk for creamier texture.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor complexity, use fine sea salt for subtle depth.
Gear You’ll Need for Zesty Lime Bundt Cake
Electric Mixer: Essential for beating cake batter smoothly and incorporating ingredients evenly.
12-Cup Bundt Pan or 10-Inch Fluted Tube Pan: Crucial for creating the signature cake shape and even baking.
Whisk: Perfect for blending glaze ingredients until silky and lump-free.
Toothpick: Handy tool to check cake doneness by testing the center.
Wire Rack: Helps cake cool completely and prevents soggy bottom.
Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for preparing cake batter and glaze.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient quantities.
How to Bake Zesty Lime Bundt Cake
Zesty Lime Bundt Cake
Cake Preparation Warm up your kitchen by preheating the oven and getting your bundt pan ready with a light spray and dusting of flour.
Mixing Magic Combine all cake ingredients in a large bowl, starting with a gentle mix and then ramping up the speed to create a smooth, well-blended batter that promises deliciousness.
Baking Brilliance Pour the batter into the prepared pan and slide it into the oven, letting the heat work its magic until a toothpick comes out clean and the cake is perfectly golden.
Cooling Moment Allow the cake to rest in the pan for a short while, then gently transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely, filling your kitchen with an irresistible citrusy aroma.
Glaze Glory Whip up a silky smooth glaze by whisking together powdered sugar, butter, lime juice, and a touch of milk, creating a luscious topping that will make your cake shine.
Finishing Touch Drizzle the glaze over the cooled cake, letting it cascade down the ridges, and sprinkle with a bit of lime zest for that extra pop of flavor and visual appeal.
Citrus Zest Magic: Grate lime peel carefully to capture maximum flavor without bitter white pith underneath. Use a microplane or fine grater for delicate, fragrant results.
Moisture Master Trick: Replace yogurt or sour cream with Greek yogurt for extra richness and tender cake texture. This swap creates a more luxurious, velvety crumb.
Glaze Game Changer: Let cake cool completely before glazing to prevent runny, thin topping. Drizzle glaze slowly for beautiful, even coverage that sets beautifully.
Storage Wisdom: Store cake at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to maintain moisture and prevent drying out.
Flavor Adventure: Experiment with orange or lemon juice as alternative citrus options. Each substitution brings unique, bright notes to this versatile bundt cake recipe.
Zesty Lime Bundt Cake Presentation & Serving
Zesty Summer Dessert Companion: Fresh lime slices scattered around the cake plate create a vibrant, citrusy presentation that complements the cake's tangy flavor.
Tropical Tea Time Treat: Serve alongside a chilled glass of green tea or herbal iced tea to enhance the lime's refreshing notes and create a perfect afternoon indulgence.
Creamy Contrast Pairing: Top each slice with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream to balance the cake's bright, zingy lime essence and add a luxurious touch to the dessert experience.
Brunch Spectacular Styling: Present the bundt cake as a centerpiece for weekend brunch, garnishing with fresh mint leaves and a light dusting of powdered sugar for an elegant, Instagram-worthy display that will impress guests.
How to Keep Zesty Lime Bundt Cake Fresh
Cake Care Strategies: Keeping Your Zesty Lime Bundt Cake Delicious
– Counter Storage Magic: Wrap the cooled cake loosely in plastic wrap and enjoy within 2-3 days at room temperature, maintaining its soft texture and vibrant lime flavor.
– Refrigeration Rescue: Store glazed cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving to restore its original tender crumb.
– Freezing Friendly: Slice the cake before freezing. Wrap individual portions in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying.
– Make-Ahead Brilliance: Prepare the cake a day ahead. The lime glaze and flavors will intensify overnight, creating an even more delectable dessert experience for your guests.
Delightful lime bundt cake showcases tangy citrus notes with rich, moist crumb. Creamy glaze and zesty lime garnish complete this irresistible dessert you’ll want to savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
1 package white or vanilla cake mix
4 eggs
1 cup (240 milliliters) lime yogurt or sour cream (not fat-free)
½ cup (120 milliliters) oil
1 tbsp (15 milliliters) finely grated lime peel
3 tbsps (45 milliliters) lime juice
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tbsps (45 milliliters) melted butter
3–4 tbsps (45–60 milliliters) lime juice
1–2 tbsps (15–30 milliliters) milk
1 pinch salt
Instructions
Preparation: Preheat oven to specified temperature and coat bundt pan with non-stick spray and flour to guarantee effortless cake release.
Mixing: Combine cake mix, yogurt, vegetable oil, eggs, lime juice, and lime zest in a large mixing bowl, blending with an electric mixer at low speed before increasing to medium for two minutes until achieving a silky, homogeneous batter.
Baking: Pour batter into prepared bundt pan, smoothing with a spatula to eliminate air bubbles, then bake for 40-44 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean.
Cooling: Allow cake to rest in the pan for 15 minutes to stabilize its structure, then carefully transfer to a wire rack for complete cooling.
Glazing: Whisk powdered sugar, melted butter, lime juice, milk, and a pinch of salt until creating a luxurious, drizzle-worthy glaze with a smooth, flowing consistency.
Finishing: Generously cascade the lime glaze over the cake’s distinctive contours, allowing it to elegantly drape down the sides, and optionally garnish with additional lime zest for a vibrant citrus accent.
Notes
Grease Strategically: Use non-stick spray and flour to ensure smooth cake release without sticking.
Mix Mindfully: Start mixing at low speed, then increase to medium to create a smooth, well-blended batter without overmixing.
Check Doneness Carefully: Insert a toothpick in the center – a clean toothpick indicates the cake is perfectly baked.
Cool Completely: Let the cake rest in the pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to prevent breaking and ensure proper texture.
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice.
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.
Emily Roberts
Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist
Expertise
Dietary Planning, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education, Content Development
Education
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)
Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating.
Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.