I LOVE key lime pie! This summer I’ve not only made the pie, but I’ve made key lime bars (TO DIE FOR!), and now I’m baking key lime cupcakes. They’re perfect for summer!
I bake cupcakes monthly for my husband’s company, and here are some favorites. I quadruple the recipe to fix 50.
KEY LIME CUPCAKES
(Adapted from bakerbynature.com)
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FOR THE CUPCAKES:
1 + 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup full-fat sour cream
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup light brown sugar
1/2 tsp key lime extract (I bought from Amazon here)
2 tsp finely grated lime zest
1 large egg plus one egg yolk, at room temperature
1 and 1/2 TBSP key lime juice
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, very soft
(1) 8 oz block full-fat cream cheese, very soft
4 + 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 + 1/2 TBSP key lime juice
1/4 tsp key lime extract
1 tsp finely grated key lime zest
To Decorate (optional):
1 tsp freshly grated key lime zest
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For the Key Lime Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 12 mold cupcake tin with paper liners and set aside.
In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt; whisk well and set aside.
Add in the egg and egg yolk and mix well, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Reduce the mixer speed to low. Add in 1/2 of the flour mixture and mix until just combined (this should take about 5 seconds).
Add 1/2 of the sour cream and mix until just combined. Repeat with remaining flour and sour cream, being sure to mix on low until just combined. Turn mixer off. Using a rubber spatula, quickly fold in the lime juice.
Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow cupcakes to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely. Once cupcakes are cool, frost and decorate. The cupcakes may also be frozen, unfrosted, and stored in a freezer safe bag, for up to 2 months.
In a medium bowl using a handheld electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and cream cheese on medium-speed until smooth and creamy.
Add in the salt, key lime juice, extract and zest; beat smooth. Then slowly add the powdered sugar. If the consistency appears too thick, add a teaspoon of milk or heavy cream. The frosting should be creamy and spreadable, but also thick enough to hold its shape. Pipe or spread the frosting on top of each cooled cupcake.
DELISH!
BEST CARROT CAKE CUPCAKES
(Adapted from lovefromtheoven.com)
They’re a snap to make – you just have to use your shredder attachment to your food processor to get the carrots shredded properly. SO SO SO GOOD!
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1 1/2 cups vegetable oil
1/3 cup plain unsweetened applesauce
2 cups granulated sugar
1 tsp salt
4 large eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 TBSP ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp pumpkin pie spice if you don’t have, replace with additional ginger
2 tsp baking soda
3 cups grated carrots
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans, walnuts or raisins OPTIONAL
Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese brick, not tub, room temperature
1/2 cup butter softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
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Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners. Mix together oil, applesauce, sugar, salt and eggs.
Mix well to fully combine, but it’s not necessary to use a mixer. Add in flour, baking soda, salt and spices. Mix until just combined, do not overmix.
Fold in carrots, as well as nuts, raisins or coconut if using. Mix until just combined. Scoop into prepared muffin pan.
Bake for 21 to 24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one of the middle cupcakes comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool in pan for approximately 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Once fully cooled, top with cream cheese frosting.
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Cream Cheese Frosting
With a mixer, beat together cream cheese and butter until well combined, light and creamy.
Add in 1/2 the powdered sugar and mix until just combined. Add in remaining powdered sugar and beat until just combined.
Mix in vanilla and salt, mixing until just combined. Do not over-mix frosting.
If frosting is too thick you can add a teaspoon or two of cream, half and half or milk to reach the desired consistency.
Pipe or spread onto completely cooled carrot cake cupcakes.
Store frosted cupcakes in refrigerator.
***NOTE: both of these should be refrigerated if not eating immediately since the frosting contains cream cheese.