Key Lime Cupcakes with Creamy Filling
Makes: 12 cupcakes
Prep Time: 25 mins
Bake Time: 18–20 mins
Total Time: ~45 mins
🍋 Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
1 ¼ cups (160g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
¾ cup (150g) granulated sugar
2 large eggs
¼ cup (60ml) fresh key lime juice (or regular lime juice)
1 tbsp key lime zest
½ tsp vanilla extract
½ cup (120ml) buttermilk
Green food coloring (optional, for vibrant color)
For the Creamy Lime Filling:
4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1–2 tbsp key lime juice
½ tsp lime zest
For the Key Lime Frosting:
½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened
4 oz (115g) cream cheese, softened
2½–3 cups (300–360g) powdered sugar
1 tbsp key lime juice
½ tsp vanilla extract
Lime zest (optional, for garnish)
Lime slices or wedges (for topping)
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Make the Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with 12 liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2–3 minutes).
Beat in eggs one at a time, then mix in lime juice, zest, and vanilla.
Add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk, starting and ending with dry. Add a few drops of green food coloring if using.
Divide batter evenly among cupcake liners (about ¾ full).
Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool completely before filling or frosting.
2. Make the Creamy Filling:
Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lime juice, and zest. Mix until fluffy.
Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag with a hole cut in the corner.
Use a cupcake corer or knife to remove a small section from the center of each cupcake.
Pipe filling into the center of each cupcake.
3. Make the Frosting:
Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add powdered sugar gradually, then lime juice and vanilla. Beat until fluffy.
Pipe frosting onto cupcakes and garnish with lime zest or slices.