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Zesty Lime Treat Cakes

Featured in Irresistible Sweet Treats.

These cupcakes transform classic key lime pie into a handheld dessert. A moist lime cake filled with creamy citrus filling and topped with rich frosting brings tropical flavor to your table.

Clare Greco
Updated on Mon, 20 Jan 2025 16:09:09 GMT
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A plate of lime-flavored cupcakes topped with creamy frosting, brown sugar, and lime slices. Pin it
A plate of lime-flavored cupcakes topped with creamy frosting, brown sugar, and lime slices. | recipesbyclare.com

These Key Lime Pie Cupcakes bring all the tropical flavors of my favorite pie in a perfect little package. The tangy lime and sweet cream combo gets everyone excited when I bring them to parties. They look fancy but trust me they're simpler than you think.

Fresh and Fun

I love how these cupcakes pack that perfect punch of lime in every bite. The buttery cake with creamy filling and lime frosting creates magic together. Best part is they're so pretty people think they came from a bakery.

Here's What You Need

  • For the Cupcakes: Basic cake ingredients plus fresh lime juice and zest make our base.
  • For the Filling: Sweet condensed milk lime juice and zest create that pie flavor.
  • For the Frosting: Butter powdered sugar lime juice zest and graham crackers for that perfect finish.

Let's Bake

Make the Batter:
Cream butter and sugar add eggs lime and vanilla then mix in dry and wet ingredients.
Bake Time:
Into the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes until done.
Fill Them Up:
Mix up your filling and spoon into cooled cupcake centers.
Top it Off:
Make your frosting nice and fluffy pipe or spread on top.
Make Them Pretty:
Sprinkle with graham crumbs add lime zest and slices.

My Best Tips

  • Fresh is Best: Always use real limes never the bottled stuff.
  • Cool Filling: Chilled filling pipes so much easier.
  • Don't Overdo It: Mix just until combined for fluffy cakes.
  • Pretty Touches: Get creative with your garnishes.
A plate of cupcakes topped with swirled white frosting, crushed graham crackers, and garnished with lime slices. Pin it
A plate of cupcakes topped with swirled white frosting, crushed graham crackers, and garnished with lime slices. | recipesbyclare.com

Keep Them Fresh

  • Store Right: Keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Plan Ahead: Freeze plain cupcakes frost them later.
  • Serve Smart: Perfect with iced tea or tropical drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I make these ahead?

Yes, bake and fill up to 24 hours ahead, but frost just before serving for best results.

→ Why are my cupcakes dense?

Don't overmix the batter and make sure ingredients are room temperature before starting.

→ Can I use bottled lime juice?

Fresh lime juice gives best flavor, but bottled works in a pinch. Never skip the fresh zest though.

→ How do I store these?

Keep refrigerated up to 3 days. Let come to room temperature before serving.

→ Why did my filling leak?

Make sure to leave a rim of cake when hollowing centers, and don't overfill the cavities.

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

Sweet and tangy cupcakes filled with lime cream and topped with butter frosting. All the flavors of key lime pie in a perfect hand-held treat.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
20 Minutes
Total Time
50 Minutes

Category: Sweet Treats

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (12 cupcakes)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.
02 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder.
03 1/2 teaspoon salt.
04 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened.
05 1 cup granulated sugar.
06 2 large eggs, room temperature.
07 1 teaspoon vanilla extract.
08 1 teaspoon lime zest.
09 1/3 cup fresh lime juice.
10 1/2 cup whole milk.
11 1 cup sweetened condensed milk.
12 1/4 cup lime juice.
13 1 teaspoon lime zest.
14 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (frosting).
15 3 cups powdered sugar.
16 2 tablespoons lime juice.
17 Lime zest and graham cracker crumbs for garnish.
18 Lime slices for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 02

Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.

Step 03

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.

Step 04

Cream the butter and sugar together in a separate bowl until fluffy.

Step 05

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then add the vanilla extract and lime zest.

Step 06

Alternate adding the dry ingredients with the milk and lime juice to the butter mixture.

Step 07

Fill cupcake liners 3/4 full with the batter.

Step 08

Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 09

Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.

Step 10

Mix the filling ingredients (condensed milk, lime juice, lime zest) in a bowl until thick.

Step 11

Use a cupcake corer or knife to hollow out the center of each cupcake and fill it with the lime mixture.

Step 12

Beat the frosting ingredients (unsalted butter, powdered sugar, lime juice) together until fluffy.

Step 13

Frost the cupcakes with the prepared frosting.

Step 14

Garnish each cupcake with lime zest, graham cracker crumbs, and lime slices.

Notes

  1. These cupcakes combine classic key lime pie flavors in a hand-held dessert. Perfect for summer parties.

Tools You'll Need

  • 12-cup muffin tin.
  • Electric mixer.
  • Cupcake corer or knife.
  • Piping bag.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy (butter, milk, condensed milk).
  • Wheat (flour).
  • Eggs.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 385
  • Total Fat: 19 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 52 g
  • Protein: 4 g