{"id":10045,"date":"2020-07-01T13:05:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-01T18:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/gw.finelimedesigns.com\/2008\/03\/beach-cupcakes-key-lime-pie-cupcakes-decked-out-for-summer-3\/"},"modified":"2023-05-30T07:38:57","modified_gmt":"2023-05-30T12:38:57","slug":"beach-cupcakes-key-lime-pie-cupcakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cupcakeproject.com\/beach-cupcakes-key-lime-pie-cupcakes\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Key Lime Cupcakes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

These Key Lime Cupcakes<\/strong> are light, refreshing, and packed with lime flavor. They are made with both key lime zest and key lime juice to taste just like classic key lime pie!<\/p>\n\n\n

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These bright and refreshing treats are perfect summer cupcakes and great for any citrus lovers!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n

About These Cupcakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most people associate key limes with the famous pie<\/a>, however they are wonderful in cakes and cupcakes<\/strong> as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key limes are smaller than regular limes<\/strong>, have more seeds, lower acidity<\/strong>, a stronger aroma<\/strong>, and a thinner rind. If you can’t get your hands on some, any limes will work in a pinch – but the flavor will be a little different. (I bet you’ll love my Margarita Cupcakes<\/strong><\/a> if you like the classic lime flavor!)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Lime zest gives these zingy lime cupcakes a super refreshing and bright flavor. These summer cupcakes are great for barbecues, picnics, outdoor parties, and more!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

If you’ve never baked cupcakes before, read my post on how to make cupcakes<\/strong><\/a> before baking these and you’ll be good to go.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And, as always, be careful not to overmix the batter<\/strong><\/a> (stop mixing right when the dry ingredients are integrated into the batter).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Mixing your dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately is a good way to ensure a smooth batter and key lime cupcakes that are evenly baked.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How to Make Key Lime Pie Cupcakes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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  1. Combine sugar<\/strong>, cake flour<\/strong>, baking powder<\/strong>, baking soda<\/strong>, salt<\/strong>, and key lime zest<\/strong> in a large bowl.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Add the butter<\/strong> and mix on medium until you achieve a fine crumb texture, about three minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs<\/strong>, sour cream<\/strong>, oil<\/strong>, and vanilla<\/strong> until combined.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  4. Add the wet ingredients<\/strong> to the dry ingredients<\/strong> and mix until just combined.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  5. Add the milk<\/strong> and key lime juice<\/strong> a little bit at a time. Don’t worry about a thin batter, that’s normal!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  6. Fill cupcake liners just over half full, then bake at 350 degrees F for about 14 minutes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  7. Allow the cupcakes to cool, then frost as desired. See below for some frosting options.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Frosting Options<\/h2>\n\n\n
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    Top key lime pie cupcakes with a sweet buttercream frosting, or make a homemade lime buttercream for even more citrus flavor!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    My favorite choice of frosting for these cupcakes is a buttercream with a hint of sweetened condensed milk (recipe below). The sweetened condensed milk flavor combined with the key lime makes these cupcakes taste like pie filling! (You can even sprinkle some graham cracker on top if you want to enhance that effect.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    I like doing a two-tone frosting swirl by dyeing half of my frosting green, piping a strip of green and a strip of white onto plastic wrap or Press N’ Seal, rolling that up, and finally placing that in a piping bag.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"Two
    Adding a swirl of green frosting takes the presentation of this key lime cupcakes recipe to the next level!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    I’ve also made these with graham cracker frosting. It’s a simple vanilla cream cheese frosting<\/a> with crushed homemade graham crackers<\/a> mixed right in (store-bought ones will work just as well). Be sure to crush the crackers very finely – use a food processor if you have one – so that they don’t clog up your piping tip.<\/p>\n\n\n

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    \"a
    Top your lime cupcakes with a graham cracker frosting to capture even more of the flavors of key lime pie!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Lastly, you could play up the lime flavor by making a lime buttercream. To do that, follow the recipe for my lemon buttercream<\/a> and use key lime zest instead of lemon zest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
    What is the difference between key lime and regular lime?<\/strong>

    Unlike your typical lime, a key lime is usually on the smaller side and tends to be more yellow in color. In comparison, key limes are less acidic but still produce a flavorful and aromatic juice, which makes them perfect for baking. Key limes also have thinner skins and more seeds than other limes.Regular limes can be used in place of key limes, but the end result will be a bit less sweet and a bit more sour.<\/p> <\/div>

    What flavors go with key lime?<\/strong>

    Some other flavors that pair well with key lime cupcakes are coconut, blueberry, and raspberry. Experiment with other kinds of frosting to create the perfect dessert for your preferences!<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    More Recipes You’ll Love<\/h2>\n\n\n\n