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Key Lime Cupcakes

These fluffy Key Lime Cupcakes are bursting with key lime flavor! The rich frosting is perfectly balanced with key lime and cream cheese, making them the ultimate citrusy treat.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time16 minutes
Total Time46 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: key lime cupcakes
Servings: 18
Calories: 325kcal
Author: Jill

Ingredients

Cupcakes

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon key lime extract optional
  • 2 tablespoons key lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons key lime zest
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 3/4 cup flour

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 8 ounce cream cheese softened
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons key lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon key lime zest
  • 4 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

Cupcakes

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Prep your muffin tin(s) with liners.  Set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter, sugar and brown sugar.  Mix until combined.
  • Add in the key lime extract (if using), key lime juice, zest and eggs.  Mix well.
  • Add in the remaining dry ingredients - flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  Mix thoroughly.  Stop the machine, scrape down the sides and mix again. 
  • Measure out the cake batter so that the cupcake liners are about ⅔ full.
  • Bake in the preheated oven for about 16-18 minutes or until golden brown and the centers are set.  Allow to cool completely before decorating.

Frosting

  • Combine the butter, cream cheese, juice, salt and zest.  Cream together until smooth.
  • Add in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time.  Mix on low speed until combined.  Add in another cup of powdered sugar and mix well.  Scrape down the sides often.  Once all combined, bump up the speed on the mixer to medium and mix for an additional minute until the frosting is fluffy and smooth. 
  • Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
  • Once the cupcakes are cool, pipe a large mound of frosting on each cupcake.  Top with additional key lime zest and a slice of key lime to garnish.

Nutrition

Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 146mg | Potassium: 72mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 516IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg