Description
These Key Lime Cupcakes are light, fluffy, and bursting with fresh citrus flavor, topped with a creamy key lime buttercream frosting—perfect for a tropical dessert twist.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup key lime juice
- 1 tbsp key lime zest
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp key lime juice (for frosting)
- 1 tbsp key lime zest (for frosting)
- 1–2 tbsp milk (as needed for frosting consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake pan with liners.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Mix in key lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract.
- Add the dry ingredients in three parts, alternating with milk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners and bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, mixing well.
- Add key lime juice, zest, and a little milk as needed for consistency. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Pipe or spread the frosting on cooled cupcakes and garnish with extra zest or lime slices if desired.
Notes
- Use fresh key lime juice for best flavor, but bottled key lime juice works in a pinch.
- Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting.
- Adjust the frosting consistency with more or less milk as needed.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
