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Key Lime Bread is soft, tender and has the perfect amount of lime flavor. It will have you dreaming of Florida beaches and ocean breezes. The lime glaze packs the perfect lime punch!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe.
The quick bread recipe has a nice soft, sweet, mild lime flavor but the glaze is really what gives it a punch. I found myself scrapping up all the glaze that had dripped off the bread onto the parchment paper and eating it. Don’t leave it off and don’t be stingy with it!
What is a Key Lime?
Key limes originate in the Florida Keys and they are a smaller lime with more seeds, more aroma and a more unique flavor than the regular grocery store lime. This bread is moist, delicious, and full of that key lime flavor. Â
Ingredients Needed
- Key Limes, zest and juice. I also will use the Nellie and Joe’s key lime juice you can find in the juice aisle of the grocery store and then the zest of one regular lime.
- All Purpose Flour. I prefer unbleached flour.
- Sugar, granulated sugar and powdered sugar
- Buttermilk
- Butter, room temperature. I use salted butter
- Eggs
- Vanilla Extract
- Baking Powder
- Salt
How To Make Key Lime Bread
- Cream butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Use the paddle attachment of a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer.
- Add in eggs, lime zest, juice, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- Mix together flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl.
- Add in dry ingredients and buttermilk into butter and sugar mixture alternating between the two. Mix well.
- Pour batter into a well greased 9 x 5 loaf pan
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool for 15 minutes and remove from pan.
- Mix together powdered sugar and enough juice to make a nice drizzling consistency for the glaze.
- Place on a wire rack and drizzle with key lime glaze while bread is still warm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I add nuts to key lime bread?
You can! It would be delicious with some macadamia nuts or walnuts. Add about 1/2 – 1 cup of chopped nuts according to preference. Fold nuts into batter before pouring into loaf pan.
How long will key lime bread last?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature it will last for up to 4 days. You can also freeze this bread in a freezer safe container or wrapped in a layer of plastic wrap and a layer of foil for up to 3 months. I recommend not freezing it with the glaze. When you are ready to serve it, thaw and add the glaze.
Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?
Yes! Key limes can be difficult to find and regular limes can be used. If you have limes on hand or simply cannot find key limes in your local grocery store, simply use limes in its place. The bread will still be great!! Or buy the Nellie and Joe’s key lime juice and use the zest of a regular lime.
Tips from leigh Anne
- If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can add 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar to a 1/2 cup of milk. Allow mixture to sit for about five minutes. Use in place of the buttermilk
- Mix batter until just combined. Overmixing quick bread can cause the texture to become dense. You want it soft and fluffy!
- For a fun flavor combo, add in 1/2 cup of sweetened coconut flakes to the batter before pouring into pan.
Check out more of my favorite keyime recipes:
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Key Lime Bread
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp lime zest grated
- 1 Tbsp Key lime juice
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups flour, all purpose
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup buttermillk
Glaze
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tbsp Key lime juice
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a bowl cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in eggs, lime zest, juice, and vanilla. Mix until combined.
- In another bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt.
- Alternately, add in flour and buttermilk. Mix well.
- Pour mixture into a greased 9 x 5 loaf pan and bake for 50-55 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 15 minutes and remove from pan.
- Place on a wire rack and drizzle with glaze while bread is still warm.
Glaze
- Mix together powdered sugar and enough juice to make a nice drizzling consistency.
Tips & Notes:
- If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can add 1/2 tablespoon white vinegar to a 1/2 cup of milk. Allow mixture to sit for about five minutes. Use in place of the buttermilk
- Mix batter until just combined. Overmixing quick bread can cause the texture to become dense. You want it soft and fluffy!
- For a fun flavor combo, add in 1/2 cup of sweetened coconut flakes to the batter before pouring into pan.
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Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke says
This sounds amazing, I love lime everything!
Leigh Anne says
Lime is definitely a close second to lemon for me!