Description
Key Lime Bread: Tangy-sweet key lime flavor in a moist loaf, perfect for quick and easy baking. Ideal for citrus lovers!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (240g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- ½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
- ¼ cup (60ml) fresh Key lime juice (from approximately 8–10 Key limes)
- 2 tablespoons Key lime zest (from approximately 6–8 Key limes)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Key lime zest
Instructions
- Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients and Equipment Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and position a rack in the center. Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan with butter or cooking spray, then line with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides for easy removal. Measure all ingredients and have them ready at room temperature. This preparation ensures your Key Lime Bread bakes evenly with the best texture.
- Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined. This even distribution of leavening agents guarantees your Key Lime Bread rises properly with no bitter spots from undistributed baking soda.
- Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy. Don’t rush this step—proper creaming incorporates air that gives your bread its tender crumb. You’ll notice the mixture changing from yellow and grainy to pale and fluffy.
- Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then mix in the lime zest and vanilla extract until just combined. The zest contains aromatic oils that infuse your Key Lime Bread with that distinctive citrus flavor that makes this bread so special.
- Step 5: Alternate Wet and Dry Ingredients With the mixer on low speed, add one-third of the flour mixture to the butter mixture, followed by half the buttermilk, another third of flour, remaining buttermilk, and finally the last third of flour. Mix just until combined after each addition. Fold in the Key lime juice by hand. This method prevents overmixing while ensuring ingredients blend properly.
- Step 6: Bake to Perfection Pour the batter into your prepared loaf pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Your Key Lime Bread should be golden brown on top and pulling away slightly from the sides of the pan.
- Step 7: Glaze and Serve Cool the bread in the pan for 10 minutes, then use the parchment overhang to lift it onto a wire rack. While still warm, whisk together the powdered sugar, lime juice, and zest for the glaze. Start with 2 tablespoons of juice and add more if needed to reach desired consistency. Pour over the warm Key Lime Bread and allow to set before slicing.
Notes
Fresh ingredients will always yield the best flavor results.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice (estimated 90g)
- Calories: 280 calories per serving
- Sugar: 20g of sugar
- Sodium: 200mg of sodium
- Fat: 12g of total fat
- Saturated Fat: 7g of saturated fat
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g of unsaturated fat
- Trans Fat: 0g of trans fat
- Carbohydrates: 38g of total carbs
- Fiber: 1g of fiber
- Protein: 4g of protein
- Cholesterol: 55mg of cholesterol