pat's Recipe

Key Lime Cake With Chocolate Frosting (winner)

Category: Cakes

Cake:

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 tablespoons lime zest

3 large eggs

1/4 cup lime juice

3 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Lime wedges

Frosting:

6 ounces white chocolate

3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

1 cup butter, softened

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 cups powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour (or spray with baking spray) three 9-inch round cake pans.

In a large bowl, beat butter, sugar and lime zest at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in juice until combined.

In a medium bowl, combine flour and baking soda; sift. Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Pour evenly into prepared pans and bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and cool completely on wire racks.

In a medium pan, combine chocolate and cream. Heat until chocolate is melted and smooth; let cool completely.

In a large bowl, combine white chocolate mixture, butter and vanilla. Beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually beat in powdered sugar until fluffy. Spread white chocolate frosting between layers and on top and sides of cake. Garnish with lime wedges, if desired.

Makes 10 to 12 servings.