If you’re looking for a dessert that instantly transports you to breezy summer days, this Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe will do the trick. Imagine perfectly tender cupcakes bursting with zesty key lime flavor and topped with luscious cream cheese frosting—every bite is a refreshing pop of citrusy joy. Whether you’re celebrating something special or just craving something uniquely tropical, these cupcakes are easy to make, incredibly pretty, and sure to be a hit with friends and family.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic behind this cupcakes recipe comes from simple, fresh ingredients. Each component adds something special, whether it’s the richness of cream cheese, the brightness of lime, or the delicate crumb from perfect flour. Here’s what you’ll need for that irresistible taste and dreamy texture:
- All-purpose flour: This forms the base, providing structure for beautifully light cupcakes.
- Baking powder: A key leavener that lifts the cupcakes into airy, tender clouds.
- Salt: Just a pinch makes all the other flavors pop and balances the sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Brings richness and a lovely buttery flavor to both the cupcakes and frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes and helps keep them soft and moist.
- Large eggs: Add structure and help the cupcakes rise beautifully in the oven.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the flavor profile for an extra layer of deliciousness.
- Key lime juice: The star of the show—use freshly squeezed for the brightest, most authentic flavor.
- Key lime zest: Infuses every bite with concentrated citrus aroma—don’t skip it!
- Whole milk: Keeps the crumb meltingly tender and moist.
- Sour cream: Adds a subtle tang and helps the cupcakes stay soft for days.
- Powdered sugar: Creates a silky-smooth, fluffy frosting that’s the perfect topper.
- Cream cheese (softened): Gives the frosting that classic tangy flavor everyone loves with citrus desserts.
- Key lime wedges or zest (garnish): Makes each cupcake look as fabulous as it tastes—perfect for presentation.
How to Make Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Preheat
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’s perfectly heated when your batter is ready. Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners—this ensures even baking and makes removal super easy.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This quick step helps guarantee each cupcake bakes up evenly, with no pockets of flour or leavening agents left behind.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This incorporates air, setting the stage for a light, tender crumb in every cupcake.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavors
Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully blended before adding the next. Then stir in the vanilla extract, key lime juice, and key lime zest. At this point, your kitchen will start to smell absolutely amazing—a little preview of what’s to come!
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add half of the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mix just until combined, then pour in the whole milk and sour cream. Once that’s mixed, fold in the remaining flour mixture. Be gentle—you want to keep that batter light and fluffy!
Step 6: Fill and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
Step 7: Make the Key Lime Frosting
While the cupcakes cool, beat together the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, key lime juice, and key lime zest, mixing until your frosting is creamy, dreamy, and ready to pipe or spread.
Step 8: Frost and Garnish
Pipe or spread the key lime frosting onto each cooled cupcake. Finish with a sprinkle of lime zest or a tiny wedge of key lime for that final festive touch—you’ve now mastered the Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe!
How to Serve Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
For a truly Instagram-worthy presentation, top each cupcake with a fresh swirl of frosting and a sprinkle of key lime zest. Tiny key lime wedges nestled into the frosting make each treat look even more irresistible—plus, they hint at the tangy flavor inside!
Side Dishes
Because these cupcakes are bright and citrusy, they pair beautifully with simple sides like fresh berries or a light fruit salad. For a special gathering, serve them with iced tea or a sparkling limeade for the ultimate tropical experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Show off your Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe on a colorful cake stand or arrange them in mini cupcake wrappers for a party platter. If you’re feeling playful, try serving each cupcake with a tiny cocktail umbrella—perfect for a summer celebration or beach-themed party!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover cupcakes can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days. The cream cheese frosting stays fresh, and the cupcake crumb remains tender and flavorful.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months. Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and seal in a freezer-safe bag. Thaw overnight in the fridge before frosting and serving for best results.
Reheating
If you’d like to serve cupcakes slightly warm, pop them (without frosting) in a 300°F oven for 3 to 5 minutes or until just softened. Frost once cooled, and enjoy the just-baked flavor all over again!
FAQs
Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?
Absolutely! While key limes have a unique aroma and tartness, regular limes are a perfectly tasty substitute in this Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe. Just use the same measurements for juice and zest.
How do I prevent cupcakes from being dense?
Be sure not to overmix the batter—gently folding the ingredients together keeps the cupcakes light. Also, make sure your baking powder is fresh for the best rise.
Is it possible to make these gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. The cupcakes will still turn out moist and flavorful, but be sure to check the blend includes a binding agent like xanthan gum.
Can I double the Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe?
You sure can! Just double all ingredients and bake in two batches if needed. These cupcakes freeze well too, so feel free to make extras for another day.
What’s the secret to extra limey flavor?
For an extra punch, brush the warm cupcakes with a little extra key lime juice before frosting. This trick infuses every bite with even more citrus tang!
Final Thoughts
If tropical, citrusy treats make your heart sing, you simply have to try this Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe. It’s a breeze to make, delightfully fresh, and guaranteed to impress at gatherings big and small. So gather those zesty limes and get baking—your sunny kitchen adventure awaits!
Print
Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert, Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American, Tropical-Inspired
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the tangy sweetness of Key Lime Cupcakes with a creamy lime frosting. These tropical-inspired treats are perfect for any occasion and will surely impress your guests.
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons key lime juice
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup sour cream
Lime Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tablespoons key lime juice
- 1 teaspoon key lime zest
Garnish:
- Key lime wedges or zest
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Prepare the batter: Whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream butter and sugar, then add eggs, vanilla, lime juice, and zest. Alternate adding flour mixture, milk, and sour cream. Fill cupcake liners and bake for 18-20 minutes.
- Make the frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter, gradually mix in powdered sugar, lime juice, and zest until creamy.
- Decorate: Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with lime wedges or zest.
Notes
- For extra flavor, brush warm cupcakes with key lime juice before frosting.
- Best served chilled and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32 g
- Sodium: 140 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 42 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
