What are some tips to making the best cupcake?

The short and sweet of it... Use room temperature ingredients, don't over-mix or under-mix, only fill your cupcake liner 2/3 of the way full, if your cupcake fully bounces back when you touch the top it is ready to come out of the oven, and allow your cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.

What is the difference between a lime and key lime?

You can usually spot a key lime because they are smaller and rounder in size than regular limes. Flavor wise they are more aromatic, with a tarter and more floral juice.

Can you substitute lime for key lime?

If you can't get your hands on key limes, regular limes will work just fine! Also, I highly prefer fresh lime juice no matter the kind of lime over the bottled key lime juice.

What is the easiest way to frost cupcakes?

The absolute easiest way to frost cupcakes is by using a cookie dough or ice cream scoop. Simply put a scoop of frosting in the middle of the cupcake and smooth out with a spatula or the back of a spoon.

Vanilla Lime Cupcakes with Lime Buttercream (Small Batch!)

Description

A light and fluffy lime cupcakes recipe full of key lime flavor and topped with a tangy lime buttercream frosting! These Lime Cupcakes are made with fresh lime juice and zest making them perfect for a summer party, picnic, or bbq. Best of all, they are easy to make!

Ingredients

Units Scale

CUPCAKES:

1/2 cup and 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsp lime zest
1/8 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1 egg room temperature
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup sour cream
1/8 cup whole milk
1/8 cup lime juice

LIME BUTTERCREAM FROSTING:

3/4 cup butter
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons lime juice
1/2 teaspoon lime zest

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line cupcake tin with papers.
Add the sugar and lime zest to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Whisk together on low/medium speed until lime zest is evenly disbursed throughout the sugar.
Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt into a large bowl then whisk together and set aside.
Add the egg, milk, melted butter, lime juice, vanilla extract, and sour cream in the mixing bowl with the sugar and whisk together.
Add the dry mixture to the wet in the mixing bowl and mix on a low speed until just combined.
Fill cupcake papers about 3/4 full and bake at 375F for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, whip the butter on medium speed until smooth.
Add about half of the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
Add the lime zest and half of the lime juice and mix until combined.
Add the remaining powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
Add additional lime juice as needed to reach desired consistency.
Pipe the frosting onto the cupcakes using a large round pastry tip and top with lime wedge and leftover zest.

Notes

Simply double recipe for batch of 12 cupcakes.
Switch out the limes for lemons, grapefruit, or oranges!

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Cakes & Cupcakes

Keywords: vanilla lime cupcakes