🧁🍋 Key Lime Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Filling & Lime Buttercream ✨
Bright, tangy, and creamy cupcakes with a zesty lime filling and luscious buttercream frosting.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- ½ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- ¼ cup key lime juice (fresh)
- 1 tbsp key lime zest
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ cup whole milk
- Green food coloring (optional)
For the Key Lime Filling
- ½ cup key lime juice
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large egg yolks
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tbsp cornstarch (optional)
For the Frosting
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp key lime juice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Key lime zest (for garnish)
- Green sprinkles (optional)
- Thin key lime slices (optional)
Preparation
- Preheat Oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Prepare Batter: Whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Stir in sour cream, lime juice, zest, and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients alternately with milk. Add food coloring if desired.
- Bake: Fill liners ⅔ full. Bake 18–22 min until toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely.
- Make Filling: Cook lime juice, sugar, and yolks over medium heat until thick (≈5 min). Stir in butter. Add cornstarch if desired. Cool completely.
- Fill Cupcakes: Core centers and spoon/pipe lime filling inside.
- Make Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar gradually. Mix in lime juice and vanilla.
- Frost & Decorate: Pipe frosting over cupcakes. Garnish with zest, sprinkles, or lime slices. Chill 30 min before serving.
Details
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 18–22 minutes
- Total Time: ~45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Kcal: ~320 per cupcake
✨ A refreshing twist on classic cupcakes—perfect for summer parties, celebrations, or a sweet citrus treat!