Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting Recipe
Is there anything more joyful than biting into Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting? Each fluffy bite delivers a tropical wave of zesty citrus and silky cream cheese, all wrapped up in a treat that’s simultaneously tangy and sweet. Whether you’re looking to brighten a gloomy day or dazzle friends at a party, these cupcakes are the ultimate pick-me-up. This delightful recipe transforms simple ingredients into a bakery-worthy dessert you’ll want to make again and again.
Ingredients You’ll Need
It doesn’t take a pantry full of fancy items to create showstopping Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting. Every ingredient plays a special role—adding lift, moisture, or irresistible lime flavor. Here’s what you’ll need and why you need it:
- All-purpose flour: This gives the cupcakes their soft, tender crumb, providing enough structure to hold the luscious filling.
- Baking powder: A touch of leavening gives your cupcakes their pretty rise and helps them stay nice and fluffy.
- Salt: Just a pinch sharpens and balances the sweetness, making those lime flavors really pop.
- Unsalted butter (for cupcakes and frosting): Softened butter adds richness and a melt-in-your-mouth texture in both the cupcakes and the creamy topping.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the batter and helps with creaming the butter for an airy, light result.
- Eggs: Essential for binding everything together, and they lend structure and richness to your cupcakes.
- Vanilla extract (for cupcakes and frosting): A splash rounds out the tart lime with warm, comforting notes.
- Key lime zest (for cupcakes and frosting): The zest is where all the aromatic, natural oils hide—don’t skip it if you want a burst of real lime flavor!
- Fresh key lime juice (for cupcakes and frosting): Using freshly squeezed key lime juice delivers that signature tartness and citrusy zing.
- Whole milk: Adds moisture and helps create that ultra-tender cupcake crumb we can’t resist.
- Cream cheese: The star of the frosting, it brings creamy tang that’s an instant match for the sweet cupcake base.
- Powdered sugar: Gives the frosting its smooth, fluffy texture—perfect for piping or swirling.
How to Make Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and line a standard 12-cup muffin tin with paper cupcake liners. This simple prep step ensures your cupcakes bake evenly and easily lift from the pan.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. Taking a moment to mix these well means each cupcake will have a perfect, light texture and just the right amount of lift.
Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy—this may take up to three minutes. Well-creamed butter and sugar means your cupcakes stay soft and moist.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then stir in the vanilla, key lime zest, and key lime juice. These flavorings infuse every bite with vibrant lime and that hint of vanilla warmth.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients in batches, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined. This gentle approach keeps your cupcakes tender with no tough bits.
Step 6: Fill and Bake
Evenly divide the cupcake batter between your 12 liners. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes until tops are slightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let them cool in the tin briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely—this keeps the bottoms from getting soggy.
Step 7: Make the Creamy Lime Frosting
Beat softened cream cheese and butter together until silky and smooth. Add the powdered sugar, key lime juice, key lime zest, and vanilla extract, then whip until the frosting is light and creamy. Get ready, this is the luxurious filling and topping for your Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting!
Step 8: Fill and Frost the Cupcakes
Once cupcakes are completely cooled, use a cupcake corer or a small sharp knife to remove a little plug from the center of each cupcake. Spoon in a bit of the creamy lime frosting—don’t skimp!—then pipe or spread the remaining frosting lavishly over the tops. Every mouthful will have that delightful surprise inside.
How to Serve Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting
Garnishes
A little flourish goes a long way. Top your cupcakes with extra key lime zest curls, thin lime wedges, or even a sprinkle of graham cracker crumbs. The pop of color is inviting and highlights the vibrant citrusy spirit of Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting.
Side Dishes
If you’re bringing these cupcakes to a summer spread or brunch, consider pairing them with fresh berries, a cool fruit salad, or a tangy citrus-infused iced tea. Their refreshing flavor also makes them a great palate cleanser after a savory meal.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting on a tiered dessert stand for an afternoon tea, or nestle each one in a bright green cupcake wrapper for a pop of color at picnics and birthday parties. For special touches, add little tropical drink umbrellas or edible flowers!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you’re lucky enough to have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Thanks to their creamy filling, the cupcakes stay moist and delicious for up to three days—a perfect make-ahead treat for dessert emergencies or surprise guests.
Freezing
Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting freeze surprisingly well! Simply set them (frosted or unfrosted) on a tray to freeze solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container. When you’re ready for a citrusy treat, let them thaw in the fridge overnight.
Reheating
These cupcakes taste best chilled or at room temperature, so no need to reheat. For ultimate flavor, let refrigerated cupcakes sit on the counter for 15–20 minutes before serving to let the frosting soften and flavors blossom.
FAQs
Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?
Absolutely! While key limes pack a more aromatic punch, regular limes will still yield a deliciously tart and vibrant result if that’s what you have on hand.
Do I really need to fill the cupcakes, or can I just frost them?
While you certainly can just frost the tops, the filling adds a delightful surprise and extra creaminess to every bite, making the Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting truly special.
What’s the best way to zest limes?
A microplane or fine grater works wonders for zesting limes; be sure to only grate the bright green part, as the white pith underneath can be bitter.
How can I prevent my cupcakes from sticking to the liners?
Using high-quality, nonstick cupcake liners and letting cupcakes cool completely before removing them often solves this problem. Baking in silicone liners also works beautifully!
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free baking blend for the all-purpose flour. Just be aware that the texture may be a bit different, but they’ll still be totally delicious.
Final Thoughts
Bring some zesty sunshine to your dessert table with these irresistible Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting. Your friends and family will rave, and you’ll have a new go-to recipe for every celebration. Don’t wait—grab some limes and bake up a batch of these tangy, creamy, and truly memorable cupcakes today!
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Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the tropical flavors of these Key Lime Cupcakes filled with a zesty Creamy Lime Frosting. These citrus-infused treats are perfect for any occasion, from summer gatherings to special celebrations.
Ingredients
Cupcake:
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- ¼ cup fresh key lime juice
- ½ cup whole milk
Creamy Lime Frosting (Filling + Topping):
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons key lime juice
- 1 teaspoon key lime zest
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven and prepare muffin tin: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
- Prepare cupcake batter: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk. Mix until combined. Divide batter into liners and bake for 18-22 minutes.
- Make Creamy Lime Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla. Beat until creamy.
- Fill and frost cupcakes: Core cupcakes and fill with frosting. Frost the tops of cupcakes.
Notes
- For extra lime flavor, brush warm cupcakes with a bit of lime juice mixed with powdered sugar before cooling.
- Store cupcakes in the refrigerator for best texture and freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 170mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
