Vodka Gimlet Cake

A few months ago, I tasted one of the best vodka gimlet’s mixed when I was treated to drinks at The Majestic. It tasted like cool key lime pie. The secret: powdered sugar, not simple syrup. When I made this lemon lime cake not too long after, my thoughts immediately went back to the vodka gimlet. Many desserts are infused with liqueurs and I wanted to recreate this drink in a cake.

To make my vodka gimlet cake a bit more fancy, I infused strawberries with lime and made homemade vodka infused whipped cream (none of this new fangled stuff out of a can for me!).

Vodka Gimlet Cake

Inspired by How Sweet It Is

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup butter
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
2 tablespoons key lime zest
1 1/2 cups baking flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 tablespoons milk
1/4 cup vodka
3 tablespoons key lime juice

Vodka Infused Whipped Cream

1 pint cold whipping cream
3 tablespoons vodka
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon key lime zest
3 tablespoons powdered sugar

Strawberries for topping
1 key lime, juiced

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, sugar, and eggs together until fluffy. Add vanilla and zest and combine until mixed.

Combine dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined. Add the key lime juice and vodka, and thoroughly mix. Once mixed, add milk and beat until combined.

Pour into a greased 9″ round baking pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes and let cool completely.

Cut strawberries in a bowl and mix with juice of one key lime. Refrigerate.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, add cream, vodka, vanilla, sugar and key lime zest. Beat on medium-high speed until cream stiffens, about 7-8 minutes. Frost cake, add strawberries and refrigerate.

P.S. Since I made vodka gimlet cake (and shared with co-workers… don’t worry I didn’t eat it by myself!) I accepted a new job that starts tomorrow and I’m moving at the end of the month. Hopefully this is the universe tossing a few crumbs my way…