Description
These Key Lime Cupcakes are bright, tangy, and perfectly sweet. Made with fresh key lime juice and zest, they’re soft, fluffy, and topped with a smooth lime cream cheese frosting. A refreshing dessert perfect for spring, summer, or anytime you crave citrus.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Zest of 2 key limes
- 3 tbsp fresh key lime juice
- 1/2 cup milk
- For Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp fresh key lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Combine: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, beginning and ending with dry ingredients. Mix until just combined.
- Fill and bake: Divide batter evenly among liners. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, lime juice, zest, and salt. Beat until creamy and fluffy.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with extra lime zest or thin lime slices if desired.
Notes
Use fresh key lime juice for the best flavor. If key limes are unavailable, regular limes can be substituted. Ensure cupcakes are fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting. Refrigerate frosted cupcakes due to the cream cheese frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 26g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: key lime cupcakes, citrus cupcakes, lime dessert, summer cupcakes, tangy cupcakes