Usually, I will choose lemon flavors over lime any day. However, I love key lime pie with all its creamy, limey tangyness and sweet graham cracker crust. One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is take traditional deserts in the kitchen and remake the flavors in new ways. The flavors in classic deserts are impossible to beat. They’re classics for a reason. New, trendy flavor profiles will be created, but I believe there will always be a place for the traditional. Here is my take on key lime pie in cupcake form.
When researching key lime pies in order to make these cupcakes, I learned that key limes are unique variety of limes that tend to be more yellow when ripe than green. However, I was only able to find regular limes in my area and the cupcakes still came out with a delicious lime flavor. If you can get your hands are real key limes, I’m sure the result would be awesome. The cupcakes start with a graham cracker crust layer, super easy to throw together, but the rest doesn’t get much harder. The cupcakes are a one bowl recipe adapted from a fantastic lemon cupcake recipe by Averie Cooks. The cupcakes and crust are great, but the frosting on these cupcakes is the star. It brings in all the beautiful flavors of the key lime pie. And it simply involves cream cheese, butter, sugar and lime. No cooking required.
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 T sugar
- 3 T butter melted
For the Cupcakes
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 egg
- 2/3 cup buttermilk or regular milk will work just fine too
- 1/2 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
- 2 T lime zest
- 3 T sour cream
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
For the Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 stick butter
- 3 T lime juice
- 2 tsp lime zest
- 2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- Line muffin tins with 15 paper lines. Combine graham cracker crumbs, 2 T sugar and 3 T melted butter in a small bowl. Spoon a tablespoon of the graham cracker crumb mixture into each muffin paper, pressing it in firmly with a spoon. Set aside.
- To make the cupakes, preheat the oven to 350 F. Whisk together the white sugar, egg, milk, oil, lime juice, lime zest, sour cream and vanilla. Gently stir in flour and baking soda until well combined, but don't over mix. Pour into the muffin tins, filling each liner about 3/4 full. Bake for 18-20 minutes until light and springy. Remove from oven and cool on wire racks.
- While the cupcakes are cooling set out the butter and cream cheese to soften. When cupcakes are cool, go ahead and make the frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and cream cheese until light, fluffy and smooth. Add lime juice and lime zest. Add enough of the powdered sugar until it reaches a spreadable or pipeable consistency. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes.
Nutrition
If you like cupcakes try these other fun flavors!
TidyMom says
I’ve been craving key lime pie….i think these cupcakes would hit the spot! they look perfect for summer!
Mallory says
Thanks, its definitely a favorite.
Melanie | Melanie Makes says
The perfect Summer cupcake!
Mallory says
Yep, one of my favorites!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
What a great twist to key lime pie! Perfect for summer!
Mallory says
Thanks, Jessica.
Zainab says
I normally go with lemon too over limes but I just love key limes!! These cupcakes look perfect!!
Mallory says
Thanks, Zainab.
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
yum Mallory, these look great! love the key lime pie flavour.. such a great idea. thanks for sharing!
Mallory says
Thanks for stopping by, Thalia!
Coleen @ The Redhead Baker says
My fiance would love these! Key lime pie is his favorite!
Mallory says
I don’t know whether to wish my husband liked key lime or not. Since he doesn’t there’s just more for me.
Linda Warren says
I live in South Florida with my own key lime trees and this recipe sounds delicious. I love to change up Key Lime Pie occasionally with something different and this would be awesome! Can’t wait to try it.
Mallory says
Tha’ts wonderful. I hope you enjoy it.
tanya says
Key lime pie is one of my favorite desserts! How fabulous to have it in cupcake form!
Mallory says
It’s pretty yummy! Thanks for visiting Tanya!
Jennie says
I love key lime, yum!
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Dana says
What does one stick of butter mean? 1 cup>
Mallory says
Hi Dana! I stick of butter means 1/2 cup.
Jennifer Robinson says
I tried these out & plan to make them again this weekend for my son’s BDay party. My husband said they were the best cupcakes he’s ever had! This time I’m going to try just 1 cup of cracker crumbs because 2 seemed to be too much (they were falling apart instead of being a firm crust).
click here says
Bex is Hoosier girl, wifey to Scott, aunt to 7 handsome guys and 2 gorgeous gals, popcorn eater, makeup lover, and target shopper by day. She has a passion for frugally creating pretty things from the inside out and sharing those with others. When she sees a recipe, she instantly wants to know how to make it healthier … unless it’s cake or popcorn then she just wants to eat it. And when she sees a neglected piece of furniture or décor she instantly wants to show it some love and make it as pretty as it used to be. Bex blogs over at Butcher’s Niche about all things cooking, crafting, fashion, beauty, and life.