This Key Lime Coconut Bundt Cake is full of tropical island flavors. It’s a refreshing spring and summer dessert!
Updated: This post was first published here at the BHK in April 2015. I decided it was worthy of a reshare. The content remains the same, yet I’ve updated the photos and notes to the post below. The recipe is super easy and it’s the perfect bundt cake for your Easter dessert table!
Well, spring is officially here!! Yay! Unfortunately, Mother Nature was not on board on the official first day and decided to dump yet another dose of snow on everyone! Really? Haven’t we had enough?? Let’s call it quits Mother Nature…please??
I was determined to not let the cold weather and snow on Friday get to me, so I decided with only two weeks to the Easter holiday, I was going to whip up a dessert with a tropical vibe that would be perfect for dessert on Easter Sunday.
I was thinking tart, tangy and tropical. Obviously, I was thinking a Key Lime Coconut Bundt Cake.
Why This Key Lime Coconut Bundt Cake?
I decided on a bundt cake because bundt cakes are so easy to make, are always nice and brown on the outside and perfectly moist on the inside.
I also bought a new bundt pan (Nordic Ware Swirl Bundt Pan) that I was dying to use.
When I saw this bundt pan I just loved the design and new it would make a beautiful cake.
Key Lime Coconut Bundt Cake Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- unsalted butter
- granulated sugar
- eggs
- vanilla extract
- lime juice and zest
- shredded sweetened coconut
- buttermilk
This bundt is sweet with a wonderful key lime flavor, not overpowering, just enough to please the citrus lovers in the crowd.
Why Using Buttermilk in This Recipe?
I use buttermilk in this cake to make it super moist and some toasted sweetened coconut flakes to add a tropical flair.
After the cake is baked it’s brushed with a tangy key lime glaze that just puts this cake over the top. It is the perfect spring cake.
So break out your bundt pan and think spring! Enjoy!
A Few Cook’s Notes for Key Lime Coconut Bundt Cake
I always make sure to spray my bundt pan with Baker’s Joy before I add the cake batter to my pan. It assures that my cake will always pop out of the pan beautifully.
If you can’t find fresh key limes, you can use regular limes or you can purchase Nellie & Joe’s Key Lime Juice from your local market.
More Delicious Bundt Cake Recipes to Enjoy
Apple Cider Doughnut Bundt Cake with Pecan Brown Sugar Ripple
Key Lime Coconut Bundt Cake
Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
Cake
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
- 2 tsp. baking powder, I use Clabber Girl Baking Powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 4 tsp. lime zest
- ¼ cup key lime juice
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut, lightly toasted
- 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature
Glaze
- ¼ cup key lime juice
- ½ cup sugar
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place rack in center of oven. Spray 10-cup bundt-style pan generously with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.
- In a large bowl whisk together sifted flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
- Spread coconut on parchment lined baking sheet. Bake for 6-8 minutes, stirring coconut with a fork every few minutes to promote even browning. When done toasting let cool on tray then place in food processor and pulse until finely chopped.
- Using handheld mixer beat butter for 1-2 minutes until light and fluffy. Add sugar and beat for another two minutes until well combined. Add the eggs one at a time, making sure to beat mixture well after each egg is added. Beat in vanilla, lime zest, key lime juice and toasted coconut. With a spatula add the flour mixture to the butter mixture alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. After each addition just mix until combined. Do not over mix.
- Pour the batter into the prepared bundt pan and spread evenly with a spatula. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until cake tester comes out clean. Check at 45 minutes so you do not overbake or your cake will be dry. Cool in pan on wire rack for 5-10 minutes.
- While cake is cooling make the glaze. In a small saucepan over medium heat combine the key lime juice and sugar. Cook until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside.
- Turn the cake out onto a wire rack placed over a baking sheet. Poke the cake all over with a cake tester or a toothpick. Brush the glaze over the entire cake letting it sink in until all the glaze is finished.
- Let cake cool before slicing. Serve with whipped cream if desired.
Notes
- I use buttermilk in this cake to make it super moist and some toasted sweetened coconut flakes to add a tropical flair.
- After the cake is baked, it's brushed with a tangy key lime glaze that just puts this cake over the top.
- I always make sure to spray my bundt pan with Baker's Joy before I add the cake batter to my pan. It assures that my cake will always pop out of the pan beautifully.
- If you can't find fresh key limes, you can use regular limes or you can purchase Nellie & Joe's Key Lime Juice from your local market.
Slightly adapted from King Arthur Flour Lemon Bliss Cake.
The cake looks beautiful! And gosh, the combination of coconut and key lime is right up my alley.
Thanks Karen…I love key lime and coconut together! The glaze makes the cake! Hope you like it!
It looks very delicious and sound delicious too! I love baking bundt cakes, I have the same pan. I collect bundt cake pans, new, old and antique and have around 22 now! I noticed you didn’t mix the glaze? I like a tart key lime glaze :)
Hi Michael… You have quite a collection! I love the heritage pan. I think it makes the cake look beautiful. Yes, I mixed the key lime juice with the sugar in a saucepan until the sugar dissolved then set aside until I took the cake out of the pan. Then I poked the cake and brushed on the glaze. The glaze makes the cake! Enjoy!
This cake is gorgeous! And I love cooking and baking with key limes. Heading down to Florida soon and I’ll stock up on key lime juice!
Thanks so much! I love the flavor of key limes! Have fun in Florida!
Made this cake for Easter dinner and it was delicious. I only wish I had used a longer skewer so the glaze got down further into the cake. I topped it with whipped cream with some added lime zest.
So happy you enjoyed it Jodie. This is one of my favorite spring/summer cakes! Bundt are always so easy aren’t they? Happy Monday!
Coconut and lime is a favorite flavor combination of mine, so this beautiful cake is calling my name! Such a perfect spring time treat.
Mine too Marissa! Such a spring/summer flavor combo!
Fabulous reshare, Mare! I love the flavors of this delicious bundt cake… fresh as spring!
Thanks so much Traci!
Oooooh, Mary Ann! Key Lime plus coconut is the island-mood we all need right now! I agree, it needs to be real Spring. Right now! But this cake definitely will take us there – it’s gorgeous! and perfect for Easter!
Thanks Laura!
This recipe is so timely – I just love how special this cake is!
Thanks Helena! I’ve always enjoyed the tropical flavors of this cake!