Eat In Recipe: Key Lime Cupcakes

There’s a huge place in my heart for fruity cupcakes, especially ones with citrus.  We all loved the Strawberry Lemonade cupcakes from a few months ago and I’m excited to try an Orange Cupcake (or Creamsicle) recipe and a Raspberry Lemonade one.  One of my favorites from the bakery has been a Key Lime cupcake, so this recipe was a no-brainer for me to try. 

The cake is quite light and has a good balance of sweet and tart.  The lime zest-enhanced cream cheese frosting is a great compliment to the cake.  This is a great, cool, and light cake recipe…perfect for summer! 

Key Lime Cupcakes from My Madison Bistro
1 ¾ c. cake flour
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) cool unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
1 ¼ c. granulated sugar
2 large eggs (room temperature)
2 ½ T. key lime juice
1 T. key lime zest
1 drop green food coloring paste
¾ c. buttermilk (room temperature)

Icing:
1 stick (1/2 c.) cool unsalted butter, cut into 8 pieces
8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature), cut into 8 pieces
2 ¼ c. powdered sugar, sifted
1 T. key lime zest

1. Preheat oven to 350*F. Line a muffin tin with 12 paper liners.
2. Sift the cake flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, set aside.
3. Using a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on low until it’s softened. Add the sugar and increase the speed to medium. Beat until fluffy, about four minutes. Add one egg at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the lime juice, zest, and food coloring and beat until mixed. (It will look curdled.)
4. Add the flour in three additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour, scraping down the bowl as necessary. Mix on low until just combined. Fill each cupcake liner 2/3 full.
5. Bake 20-25 minutes. Cool completely and frost with cream cheese icing.

Icing:

1. Using a mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on low until it’s softened a bit. Increase speed to medium and add the cream cheese one piece at a time. Reduce speed to low and slowly add powdered sugar until combined. Beat in zest.

Makes 12-14 cupcakes.

Average Fork Rating:  3.6
Mr. Diner:  4
Mrs. Diner:  4
Amazing Diner:  3
Sweet Diner:  4
Little Diner:  3