Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Grease and flour two 9-inch round cake pans or line them with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

• In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

• In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Add the lime zest and mix for an additional minute until fully incorporated.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

• Beat in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
• Add vanilla extract and mix until combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures

• Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, alternating with buttermilk and lime juice. Start and end with the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.

Step 6: Bake

• Divide the batter evenly between the prepared cake pans.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Allow the cakes to cool in the pans for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Frosting and Assembling the Cake

Step 7: Prepare the Frosting

• In a medium bowl, beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and fluffy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition until smooth.
• Finally, beat in the lime zest and lime juice until well incorporated.

Step 8: Frost the Cake

• Place one layer of the cake on a serving plate and spread about 1/3 of the frosting over it.
• Place the second layer on top and use the remaining frosting to cover the top and sides.
• Garnish with additional lime zest or thin lime slices for decoration.