Description
Key Lime Cupcakes are moist white cupcakes bursting with fresh lime zest and juice, topped with a silky cream cheese frosting featuring a subtle tang. Perfect for parties or large gatherings.
Ingredients
Cake:
1 (15.25 ounce) package white cake mix
1 cup water
3 eggs
⅓ cup vegetable oil
2 tablespoons lime zest
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
3 drops green food coloring (optional)
Frosting:
½ cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons lime zest
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 ½ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 tablespoons pearlized sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners or spray with cooking spray.
- Mix cake mix, water, eggs, and vegetable oil with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes.
- Add lime zest, lime juice, and food coloring (if using); mix well.
- Pour batter evenly into prepared muffin cups.
- Bake about 18 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack.
- For frosting, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
- Add lime zest and vanilla extract; mix well.
- Gradually mix in confectioners’ sugar, ½ cup at a time, until smooth. Chill 30 minutes until thickened.
- Spread frosting on cooled cupcakes and top with sprinkles if desired.
Notes
Substitute lime zest with lemon zest for lemon cupcakes.
Add lime extract for extra lime flavor.
Use whipped cream cheese frosting for lighter topping.
Incorporate chopped key limes or lime marmalade into frosting.
Replace vegetable oil with melted coconut oil for tropical flavor.
Store cupcakes airtight in refrigerator up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.
Freeze unfrosted cupcakes up to 2 months; thaw before frosting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
