Get ready to fall in love with the zesty delight of Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting. These cheerful little cupcakes burst with real key lime flavor, and each one surprises you with a hidden pocket of silky, citrusy frosting tucked right inside. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply treating yourself to something sunny, this recipe brings bakery-worthy results right to your kitchen with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of these Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting is how each ingredient adds something special — whether it’s a pop of citrus, rich softness, or a cloud-like sweetness. Gather these kitchen staples and a few flavor-boosters to create a cupcake that’s bright, tangy, and downright irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: This is your cupcake’s backbone, giving them just the right balance of tender crumb and structure.
- Baking powder: Ensures the cupcakes rise beautifully and stay fluffy.
- Salt: Just a little makes the lime flavors shine and balances all that sweetness.
- Unsalted butter (for batter & frosting): Adds richness and moisture — be sure it’s softened for the silkiest results.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes while helping beat air into the batter for lightness.
- Eggs: Two large eggs deliver structure and a velvety texture.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the citrus, making the lime feel even more vibrant.
- Key lime zest: Packed with fragrant oils, this zest infuses every bite with pure lime fragrance.
- Key lime juice: Brings both tang and brightness to the cupcake and frosting alike. Bottled is fine, but fresh-squeezed really sings!
- Whole milk: Keeps the batter moist and helps everything blend smoothly.
- Cream cheese (for frosting): Offers a slight tang and extra creaminess to balance the sweet-tart citrus filling.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for silky-smooth, fluffy frosting.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Just a pinch brings out the bold lime flavors in your creamy filling.
How to Make Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting
Step 1: Prep the Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 12-cup muffin tin with colorful cupcake liners. This not only stops the cupcakes from sticking, but also makes serving and cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Whisking ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, so your Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting turn out light and perfectly shaped every time.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Beat the softened butter with the sugar in a large mixing bowl until the mixture is pale and fluffy. This air incorporation is what gives the finished cupcakes their signature tender crumb.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Crack in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla, bright key lime zest, and zippy key lime juice. The aroma at this stage is pure sunshine!
Step 5: Combine and Finish the Batter
Alternately add your flour mixture and milk to the wet ingredients, starting and ending with flour. Mixing just until combined — don’t overdo it! — keeps cupcakes soft and fluffy.
Step 6: Bake
Divide the batter evenly among your cupcake liners, filling each about 2/3 full. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick poked in the middle comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely before moving to the fun part — filling and frosting!
Step 7: Prepare the Creamy Lime Frosting
For that wow-worthy filling and topping, beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until smooth and dreamy. Add the key lime juice, zest, salt, and powdered sugar gradually. Beat until the frosting is light and irresistibly fluffy, just begging to be piped into your Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting.
Step 8: Fill the Cupcakes
Once cooled, use a cupcake corer, apple corer, or small knife to remove the centers of each cupcake (about 2/3 of the way down). Save the tops if you love little cupcake “hats.” Fill each hole with a generous spoonful of lime frosting.
Step 9: Frost and Garnish
Spread or pipe the remaining frosting on top of each cupcake. For an extra pop of color and flavor, sprinkle more lime zest over the tops, bringing your beautiful Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting to life.
How to Serve Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting
Garnishes
These cupcakes are a real showstopper with a few simple touches. A pinch of freshly grated lime zest on top adds a bright splash of color and a hint of extra tang. If you want to dress them up for a summer party, try a tiny wedge of fresh lime or a playful curl of lime peel on each cupcake — so festive!
Side Dishes
Keep the focus on the citrus by pairing your Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting with light and fresh accompaniments. A big bowl of fresh mixed berries or a platter of tropical fruit slices would be a perfect, refreshing contrast. For a sweet treat spread, serve with iced tea or lemonade to play up the cupcakes’ summery vibes.
Creative Ways to Present
Let your imagination run wild when serving these cupcakes! Stack them on a tiered stand for a dessert-table centerpiece, or place each cupcake in a mini mason jar with a spoon for portable picnics. You could even arrange them in a ring on a platter, sprinkle with edible flowers, and call it a “Key Lime Cupcake Wreath” — it’s a guaranteed conversation starter.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting as fresh as possible by storing them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Because of the cream cheese frosting and filling, storing them chilled is best for both flavor and food safety. They’ll stay moist and delicious for up to 3 days.
Freezing
Want to make cupcakes ahead for a party or just to have on hand? Freeze unfrosted cupcakes and the lime frosting separately. Wrap cupcakes tightly in plastic wrap, and store the frosting in an airtight container. Both can be frozen for up to a month. Defrost cupcakes and bring the frosting to room temperature before filling and decorating.
Reheating
If you like your cupcakes soft and just a touch warm, you can set them (unfrosted) at room temperature for about 30 minutes, or microwave each for just 5–10 seconds. Be careful not to overdo it — you don’t want to melt that gorgeous creamy lime filling!
FAQs
Can I use regular limes instead of key limes?
Absolutely! While key limes have a slightly more floral, tart flavor than their standard cousins, regular limes make a fabulous substitute in these cupcakes. The result is still vibrant and delicious — definitely not a deal-breaker!
Do I need a special tool to core the cupcakes?
No special tools required! A sturdy apple corer, a small paring knife, or even a teaspoon can make quick work of hollowing the centers for that creamy frosting surprise.
Can I double the recipe for larger gatherings?
Yes, you can easily double (or even triple) the recipe to make more Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting. Just scale up your ingredients and bake in batches for best results.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
If you’re out of cream cheese, you can make an all-butter frosting by skipping it, but the cream cheese really does provide an irresistible tang and keeps the frosting super creamy. If you have mascarpone, that’s a delicious alternative!
How do I get perfectly fluffy cupcakes?
The secret is in not over-mixing your batter after combining the wet and dry ingredients. Stir just until everything is smooth and combined, and your Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting will be beautifully light every time.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to bake a batch of these Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting and taste the magic for yourself. With their fresh tang, creamy core, and bright good looks, they’re bound to become your new favorite treat. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if you find yourself making up reasons to whip up another dozen!
Print
Key Lime Cupcakes Filled with Creamy Lime Frosting Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the tangy and sweet flavors of Key Lime Cupcakes filled with a creamy lime frosting. These citrus-infused treats are perfect for any occasion, especially during the summer months.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 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
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon key lime zest
- 1/4 cup key lime juice
- 1/2 cup whole milk
Frosting and Filling:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tablespoons key lime juice
- 1 teaspoon key lime zest
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Mix in eggs, vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice.
- Combine: Alternate adding flour mixture and milk to wet ingredients, mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter into liners and bake for 18–20 minutes.
- Make frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add lime juice, zest, salt, and powdered sugar gradually until fluffy.
- Fill and frost: Core cupcakes, fill with frosting, and frost the tops. Garnish with lime zest.
Notes
- Use bottled key lime juice for convenience.
- Refrigerate cupcakes for easier filling and firmer frosting.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 160 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
