Margarita Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

This margarita cake recipe is made easy with a cake mix and frozen margarita mix. Look at the label on your margarita mix. If it says “ready to drink” it will have alcohol in it, which will cook out in the baking process.

Otherwise, the mix may only have orange liqueur, lime juice, sugar, salt and maybe some extra citric acid. 

It’s sweet, but not too sweet. Great for citric fans.

Great to serve at parties and banquets. 

It’s an easy-to-make dessert. Find the recipe card below!

Scroll to bottom for printable recipe card.

Why add cream cheese to frosting?

Why not? Cream cheese is smooth, creamy and sweet and tart. It’s the perfect accompaniment to a cake flavored with lime juice. 

How do I substitute cream cheese frosting?

You can use Neufchatel for 33% less fat. Mascarpone has even more fat than cream cheese, but some people like the velvety texture. 

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese?

It is a healthier alternative. It’s low in fat, high in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12.

How to serve Margarita Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting?

This dessert can be cut up and served to guests by itself as a dessert or a snack. Fresh lime slices and lime zest are suggested as garnishes, but if you’re feeling a bit artistic, you can decorate with curlicues of green icing. 

Cooking Tips:

As this recipe calls for egg whites, you will have to separate the eggs. You can do this with your hand or the shells, but the easiest way is with an egg separator. If you do not have one, an empty water bottle can be used to suction the yolk out of the white. As with any cake, do not overmix.

Variations:

Lemons can be used instead of limes. Daiquiri mix can be used instead of margarita mix. 

Ingredients:

For the cake:

• White cake mix
• Egg whites
• Olive oil
• Margarita mix thawed
• Lime juice
• Zest from one lime

For the icing:

• Cream cheese
• Butter
• Lime juice
• Lime zest
• Confectioners sugar

How to make Margarita Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease two 9-inch cake pans well.

Step 2. Add the ingredients for the cake to a mixing bowl, and beat on high until smooth.

Adding the egg whites.

Adding the margarita mix thawed.

Adding the olive oil.

Adding the zest from one lime.

Adding the lime juice.

Step 3. Pour the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake for 35 minutes, or until cooked through. Allow cooling to room temperature on a rack.

Step 4. Once cooled, run a knife around the edges of the cakes, and turn them out onto a cooling rack.

Step 5. Add the butter and cream cheese for the icing to a mixing bowl, and beat until light and fluffy.

Step 6. Place the lime juice, zest, and confectioners sugar for the icing in the mixing bowl, and beat until a smooth and creamy icing has formed.

Adding the lime juice.

Adding the zest.

Adding the confectioner’s sugar.

Step 7. Place one layer of the cake on a serving tray or platter.

Step 8. Add a layer of icing to the top of that layer of cake.

Step 9. Put the other layer of cake on top of the first, and continue to ice the top and sides of the cake completely.

Step 10. Garnish with fresh lime slices and zest before serving.

Now ready to enjoy!

Margarita Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes minutes

Total Time: 55 minutes minutes

Servings: 10

This margarita cake recipe is made easy with a cake mix and frozen margarita mix. Look at the label on your margarita mix. If it says "ready to drink" it will have alcohol in it, which will cook out in the baking process. Otherwise, the mix may only have orange liqueur, lime juice, sugar, salt and maybe some extra citric acid. 

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Ingredients 

For the cake:

• 1 White cake mix
• 3 Egg whites
• 2 Tbsp. Olive oil
• 1 Can frozen margarita mix thawed
• 1 Tbsp. Fresh lime juice
• Zest from one lime

For the icing:

• 8 oz. Cream cheese softened
• ½ C. Butter softened and unsalted
• 1 Tbsp. Fresh lime juice
• 1 Tbsp. Lime zest
• 5 C. Confectioners sugar

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Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease two 9 inch cake pans well.
• Add the ingredients for the cake to a mixing bowl, and beat on high until smooth.
• Pour the batter evenly between the two cake pans and bake for 35 minutes, or until cooked through. Allow cooling to room temperature on a rack.
• Once cooled, run a knife around the edges of the cakes, and turn them out onto a cooling rack.
• Add the butter and cream cheese for the icing to a mixing bowl, and beat until light and fluffy.
• Place the lime juice, zest, and confectioners sugar for the icing to the mixing bowl, and beat until a smooth and creamy icing has formed.
• Place one layer of the cake on a serving tray or platter.
• Add a layer of icing to the top of that layer of cake.
• Put the other layer of cake on top of the first, and continue to ice the top and sides of the cake completely.
• Garnish with fresh lime slices and zest before serving.

Nutrition

Calories: 478kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 47mg | Sodium: 187mg | Sugar: 64g

Author: Laura

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How to store Margarita Cake with Key Lime Cream Cheese Frosting?

If your house doesn’t get too warm, a cake can be kept at room temperature for two or three days if covered. 

How much does Margarita Cake last on the fridge?

Five or six days.

Can I make it ahead?

You can. 

Related Recipes You Might Enjoy: 

Easy Key Lime Pie  The go-to for lime lovers. 

Blackberry Margarita Cake with Tequila  Another cake recipe for those who love their booze. 

Cream Cheese Lemonade Pie  It’s creamy and tart!