What’s not to love about Key Lime Cupcakes? All the flavor of key lime pie gets baked into individual cupcakes for a treat no one can resist. The homemade icing is decadent while being super easy.
From the light and fluffy cake to the creamy frosting, this recipe can’t be beat. The secret to this quick recipe is a cake mix but we jazz it up so it tastes homemade.
If you love easy and delicious, this is sure to be a hit. Cupcakes are always a good idea around here so make sure to check out all our cupcakes recipes. We have a recipe for every occasion.
I also love making this Angel Food Cupcakes Recipe for another light and delicious cupcake recipe.
Why We Love This Recipe
- The water in the cake mix gets replaced with lime juice. Amazing flavor! No one will guess this started with a box mix.
- The cake mix make this super easy! You get all the flavor from homemade without the work. Yeah!
- Homemade frosting! Need I say more?
Cupcake Ingredients
- White Cake Mix- plus, all of the ingredients per the box instructions.
- Lime Juice – this is what gives the cupcakes amazing flavor and transforms each bite into the best cupcake.
Frosting Ingredients
- Butter– Make sure to get real butter
- Powdered Sugar – Helps to thicken the frosting
- Lime Juice– this gives this recipe all the lime flavor
- Lime Zest- this looks pretty and tastes amazing
- Green Food Coloring– you don’t need much but this gives it a pop of color.
Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.
Variations Ideas
- Graham Crackers – Sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top.
- Mini Size – Make mini cupcakes instead of regular size.
- Lime Slices – Garnish with a lime slice on each cupcake.
- Frosting – We love the key lime buttercream frosting, but you can also make a Homemade Cream Cheese Frosting. Add Key Lime Juice and Key Lime Zest for delicious flavor. These cupcakes would also be delicious with a Cream Cheese Glaze.
How to Make Key Lime Cupcakes
Step 1 – Whisk the cupcake batter as the box says with the exception of the water. This is where all that flavor comes from.
Step 2 – Second, get your muffin pan ready and add the liners. Don’t overfill these or you will have a huge mess. Bake those yummy cupcakes and let cool.
Step 3 – Get a large bowl or use the bowl of a stand mixer. Mix the butter until it is fluffy and add the lime juice and green food coloring. You can also use an electric mixer on medium speed to mix the ingredients.
Step 4 – Add the powdered sugar but not all at once. This can get messy so it’s best to add a cup at a time. Once, the sugar and butter are mixed really well, add lime zest and mix again.
- Step 5 – Your cupcakes should be cool by now and ready to decorate. You can either use a Wilton throw away bag or a ziploc bag if you don’t have the piping bags. Just cut the corner off and frost each cupcake.
Recipe Tips
- Lime Flavor – You are going to substitute ½ cup of the water with ½ cup lime juice. This is the secret to that amazing lime flavor and tangy taste. No one will guess this started with a cake mix.
- Filling Cupcake Liners – After placing the paper liners in the cupcake pan, use a cookie scoop to divide batter. We recommend to add the batter evenly to the liners so they bake about the same time.
- Cool Cupcakes – Before frosting the cupcakes, make sure they have completely cooled to room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, we recommend using fresh lime juice instead of jar lime juice. In this recipe you can squeeze juice from key limes or regular limes.
Store leftover cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
Yes, you can freeze cupcakes but we recommend freezing without frosted. Store the cupcakes in a freezer safe container for up to 2 months. This is a great recipe to prepare the cupcakes ahead of time.
More Easy Cupcake Recipes
If you try this recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review. We love to hear from you.
Key Lime Cupcakes
Ingredients
Ingredients for cake:
- 1 box White Cake Mix + box ingredients
- ½ cup Lime Juice
Ingredients for frosting:
- 1 cup Butter
- 6 cup Powdered Sugar
- 6 tbsp Lime Juice
- 2 tsp Lime Zest
- 1 drop Green Food Coloring
See how we calculate recipe costs.
Instructions
Make the Cupcakes:
- Preheat the oven according to the directions on the white cake mix box. Line 24 muffin cups with cupcake liners.
- Prepare the cake mix according to the package directions, replacing ½ cup of the required water with ½ cup fresh lime juice.
- Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about halfway full.
- Bake for 16–18 minutes, or according to the package directions, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the cupcakes cool in the pans briefly, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add the lime juice and green food coloring. Beat until combined.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
- Add the lime zest and continue beating until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Transfer the frosting to a piping bag or spread it over the completely cooled cupcakes with a knife or spatula.
- Serve immediately or store covered until ready to serve.
Hi! If I have a box mix that calls for 1 cup of water (not 1/2 cup), would you just replace half of it with lime juice?
That looks divinely delicious. So soft and fluffy!!!!