Key Lime Cupcakes

    I fell in love with the taste of key lime when I made my Bite Size Oreo Key Lime Pies. I needed to use up some more key limes and wanted to put them in a cupcake. These turned out delicious!! I highly recommend them! They have a nice, light, lime flavor.  Key Lime Cupcakesfrom Leenee's Sweetest Delights

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 tablespoons key lime zest

3 large eggs

1/4 fresh Key lime juice

3 cups cake flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

 Key Lime Fillingfrom  Our Everyday Life14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup key lime  juice3/4 cup whipping cream Key Lime Whipped Cream my own creation2 cups whipping cream3/4 cup powdered sugar1 Tbsp. key lime juice1/2 Tbsp. key lime zest1 Tbsp. key lime filling*Adjust amounts to taste  Key Lime Cupcakes

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place 24 cupcake liners in muffin tins.

In a large bowl beat butter, sugar, and lime zest at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in juice until combined.

 In a medium bowl, combine cake flour and baking soda; sift.

Gradually add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beginning and ending with flour mixture.

Pour evenly into prepared cupcake tins.  Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cool in pans for 10 minutes and then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.  Key Lime FillingMix together the sweetened condensed milk, whipping cream, and lime juice.

Two Filling Methods:(1) Poke several holes into the cupcakes with the back of a mixing spoon. Use a pastry bag to pipe filling into each hole. (2) Use a butter knife to cut a hole in the center of each cupcake. Fill with filling. Cover with cut out cupcake piece.  Refrigerate cupcakes for about an hour.
Key Lime Whipped Cream  Use a stand mixer to combine 2 cups heavy whipping cream and 3/4 cup powdered sugar. When stiff peaks form, add juice, zest, and filling to taste.  Pipe frosting onto cupcakes after they come out of refrigerator.   Enjoy!

You can also add green food coloring to the cupcake, filling, or frosting. I just opted for green sprinkles :-)