Key Lime Cupcakes 🍋💚
🌿 Ingredients:
For the Cupcakes:
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp salt
½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp fresh key lime juice
1 tbsp key lime zest
½ cup whole milk
Green food coloring (optional)
For the Creamy Lime Filling:
4 oz cream cheese (softened)
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tsp key lime juice
½ tsp key lime zest
For the Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
3 ½ cups powdered sugar
2 tbsp key lime juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Green and white food coloring (for swirl effect)
Thin lime slices for garnish (optional)
🧁 Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin tin with green cupcake liners.
Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, lime juice, and zest.
Alternate adding milk and flour mixture, mixing until just combined. Add a few drops of green food coloring if desired.
Divide batter into liners, filling 2/3 full. Bake for 18–20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
🍋 Make the Filling:
Mix softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, lime juice, and zest until smooth. Scoop out a small center in each cooled cupcake and pipe or spoon filling inside.
🍥 Make the Frosting:
Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, lime juice, vanilla, and salt. Separate into two bowls and tint one with green food coloring. Pipe together for a swirled look.
✨ To Finish:
Frost filled cupcakes with swirled buttercream and top with a thin slice of lime. Chill slightly before serving for best flavor.