If you’re searching for a treat that transports you straight to the sunny shores of Florida, look no further than these Key Lime Cupcakes. With their perfectly tender crumb, bright citrusy flavor, and irresistibly creamy lime cream cheese frosting, each bite bursts with sweet-tart perfection. These cupcakes are a sunny, tropical escape in dessert form—ideal for gatherings, celebrations, or simply treating yourself to a zesty homemade delight!

Ingredients You’ll Need

Gathering the right ingredients is the key to creating the luscious flavor and dreamy texture that make these Key Lime Cupcakes so special. Each component plays an important role, from the tangy zest to the rich sour cream, ensuring every cupcake sings with flavor.

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and a soft crumb that’s just right for holding all that citrus goodness.
Baking powder: Gives your cupcakes that essential lift, making them light and fluffy.
Salt: Enhances and balances the sweetness and tartness in each bite.
Unsalted butter (softened): Brings a rich flavor and silky texture to both the cake and the frosting.
Granulated sugar: Lends sweetness and helps create a light, tender crumb.
Large eggs: Provide structure and richness, keeping the cupcakes moist.
Pure vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, complementing the citrus notes.
Key lime zest: Packs a big citrus punch and infuses the batter and frosting with aromatic tang.
Key lime juice (freshly squeezed): Gives that signature tart, bright key lime flavor you crave.
Whole milk: Ensures the crumb stays tender and moist.
Sour cream: Adds extra richness and a pleasant tang to the cupcake base.
Cream cheese (softened): For the dreamy, tangy frosting that sets these cupcakes apart.
Powdered sugar: Helps whip up a frosting that’s smooth, creamy, and perfectly sweet.
Heavy cream: Adjusts the consistency of your frosting and adds extra silkiness.

How to Make Key Lime Cupcakes

Step 1: Prep the Oven and Cupcake Tin

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with colorful paper liners—this makes removing the cupcakes easy, and adds a dash of fun to your presentation.

Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures your leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed, so the Key Lime Cupcakes rise and bake uniformly.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This aerates the butter, setting you up for soft cupcakes brimming with flavor.

Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Zest

Beat in the eggs one at a time, allowing each to fully incorporate. Then mix in the pure vanilla extract and key lime zest—the zest releases its fragrant oils, amping up the citrus flavor throughout.

Step 5: Combine Wet Ingredients

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the freshly squeezed key lime juice, whole milk, and sour cream. This blend ups the moisture and gives your finished cupcakes their tangy twist.

Step 6: Bring It All Together

Add the dry ingredients to the creamed butter mixture in three parts, alternating with the key lime/milk/sour cream mixture. Start and finish with the flour mixture. This helps maintain the batter’s structure and prevents overmixing, ensuring light and flavorful cupcakes.

Step 7: Fill and Bake

Spoon the batter evenly into the prepared cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Slide the muffin tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool in the tin briefly, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.

Step 8: Make the Key Lime Frosting

For the frosting, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until you have a luxuriously thick frosting. Whip in the key lime juice and zest, then add just enough heavy cream to reach your desired consistency. The result is a tangy-sweet frosting that perfectly crowns your cupcakes.

Step 9: Frost and Garnish

Using a piping bag or an offset spatula, frost each cooled cupcake generously. For a finishing touch, top with a sprinkle of extra key lime zest or a thin slice of lime to make your Key Lime Cupcakes shine!

How to Serve Key Lime Cupcakes

Garnishes

Add a pop of personality and even more citrus flavor by adorning each cupcake with extra key lime zest or a sliver of fresh lime. For a touch of whimsy, try a sprinkle of toasted coconut or a small edible flower. These little extras highlight the tropical flair and make your cupcakes extra memorable.

Side Dishes

Key Lime Cupcakes are delightful on their own, but they also pair beautifully with summery side dishes like a vibrant fruit salad or a scoop of coconut ice cream. If you’re serving at a party or brunch, set out pitchers of iced tea or lemonade to balance the cupcakes’ sweet-tart flavor.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, arrange the cupcakes on a tiered stand and top each with a mini cocktail umbrella for an extra tropical vibe. You can even serve them in mason jars layered with extra frosting or fruit for cupcake parfaits. The bright green zest and tangy frosting make these cupcakes a showstopper on any dessert table!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have extra Key Lime Cupcakes (lucky you!), store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The frosting contains cream cheese, so it’s best to keep them chilled. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days—just let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

Freezing

You can freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to two months. Wrap each cupcake tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before frosting. If you need to freeze frosted cupcakes, freeze them uncovered until the frosting is firm, then wrap and store them in an airtight container.

Reheating

If you want to revive that fresh-baked taste, pop the (unfrosted) cupcakes into a 300°F oven for a few minutes, just until warmed through. Let them cool completely before adding frosting. Avoid reheating frosted cupcakes, as the frosting can melt or separate.

FAQs

Can I use regular limes if I can’t find key limes?

Absolutely! Regular limes work well in this recipe if key limes aren’t available. The flavor will be slightly bolder and less floral but still deliciously citrusy for your Key Lime Cupcakes.

Do I need to use fresh lime juice and zest?

Fresh is always best for both juice and zest. It makes a world of difference in delivering that zingy, bright flavor you’re after. Bottled juice lacks the depth and freshness that set these cupcakes apart.

Can I make these Key Lime Cupcakes gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour. Make sure your other ingredients are gluten-free too, and you’ll have cupcakes just as tender and tasty as the original.

How do I get the frosting to the right consistency?

Start by beating the butter and cream cheese until smooth, then add powdered sugar gradually. Add heavy cream a little at a time until the texture is creamy but holds its shape well when piped or spread. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add a splash more cream or lime juice.

Can I make mini Key Lime Cupcakes?

Definitely! Just use a mini muffin tin and reduce the baking time to about 10–12 minutes, checking for doneness with a toothpick. They make perfect bite-sized treats for parties and snacking.

Final Thoughts

Every bite of these Key Lime Cupcakes is like a burst of sunshine—bright, tangy, and impossibly cheerful! Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, hosting brunch, or just craving something deliciously different, I hope you’ll give these cupcakes a try. They’re guaranteed to bring smiles and a little taste of the tropics to your table!

Key Lime Cupcakes Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in the tropical flavors of these Key Lime Cupcakes with a zesty lime cream cheese frosting. Perfect for any occasion, these citrus-infused treats are a delightful dessert option.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 teaspoons key lime zest
1/2 cup key lime juice (freshly squeezed)
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup sour cream

For the frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons key lime juice
1 teaspoon key lime zest
1–2 tablespoons heavy cream

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven and prepare the muffin tin: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners.
Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Combine wet ingredients: Beat in the eggs, vanilla extract, and key lime zest. In a small bowl, combine key lime juice, milk, and sour cream.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture in three additions, alternating with the wet mixture.
Bake: Divide batter into cupcake liners and bake for 18–22 minutes until done.
Prepare frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese, gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in lime juice, zest, and heavy cream.
Frost cupcakes: Once cooled, frost cupcakes and garnish as desired.