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Key Lime Cupcakes

Take a tropical vacation with these delicious and moist Key Lime Cupcakes topped with a key lime buttercream frosting and graham cracker crumbs!

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 12 cupcakes
Calories: 511 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Cupcakes
  • 1/2 cup salted butter room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/3 cup sour cream room temperature
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 Tablespoon key lime zest about 4 key limes
  • 3 egg whites room temperature
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 4 Tablespoons whole milk room temperature
  • 4 Tablespoons key lime juice
Key Lime Frosting
  • 1 cup salted butter room temperature
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 3-4 Tablespoons key lime juice
  • 1 teaspoon key lime zest plus more for garnish
  • 1/4 cup Graham cracker crumbs
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • Thinly sliced half-circles of key limes for garnish

Instructions

Cupcakes
    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.  Line a cupcake pan with 12 cupcake liners.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add sour cream, vanilla extract and and key lime zest and mix until combined.
  4. Mix in egg whites two at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. 
  5. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a separate bowl, then add alternately with the milk and key lime juice, mixing between each addition until combined and scraping the sides of the bowl as needed.  
  6. Fill the cupcake liners about three quarters full.  Bake for 15-17 minutes, or until the top springs back with a touch or a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean with just a few crumbs.  Cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
  1. Beat the butter using a hand mixer or stand mixer until smooth.
  2. Add the powdered sugar in two batches, mixing on low speed until combined. 
  3. Add the key lime zest and 3 tablespoons of the key lime juice and vanilla extract, mixing until combined.  Add a pinch of salt. Then add more key lime juice as needed to reach desired consistency.
  4. Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip.  Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes, then press graham cracker crumbs around each cupcake and sprinkle with additional key lime zest, if desired, and stick a thin slice of key lime on top for decoration.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cupcake Calories 511kcal (26%) Carbohydrates 71g (24%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 25g (38%) Saturated Fat 15g (75%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 6g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 65mg (22%) Sodium 354mg (15%) Potassium 67mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 57g (114%) Vitamin A 762IU (15%) Vitamin C 3mg (3%) Calcium 65mg (7%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12cupcakes

Amount Per Serving

Calories 511

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cupcake
Calories 511kcal 26%
Carbohydrates 71g 24%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 25g 38%
Saturated Fat 15g 75%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 6g 30%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 65mg 22%
Sodium 354mg 15%
Potassium 67mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 57g 114%
Vitamin A 762IU 15%
Vitamin C 3mg 3%
Calcium 65mg 7%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.