Key Lime Cupcakes

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It’s Key Lime Cupcakes for you all today.  They begin with a good old cake mix.  Then they get an additional color and flavor from a package of lime gelatin.  Next the flavor and color gets an added bonus of key lime juice. A few drops of food coloring are added too.  

The cupcake itself has a larger crumb than most cakes. I believe this is due to the addition of the gelatin. They are almost more like a muffin consistency in texture.  They also end up with a flat top rather than a round top. You may find that they even sink a little in the center, but don’t be alarmed.

Key Lime Cupcakes | realmomkitchen.com

After the key lime cupcakes cool, they get an extra punch of lime from a lime glaze.  Finally, they get a finishing off with a sweet cream cheese frosting to balance out the flavors.  I shared these with a few friends who all enjoyed them.  My husband even enjoyed them and he isn’t a fan of key limes at all!

  • LEMON CAKE MIX
  • LIME-FLAVORED GELATIN
  • WATER
  • KEY LIME JUICE
  • VEGETABLE OIL
  • EGGS
  • GREEN FOOD COLORING
  • POWDERED SUGAR
  • LIGHT CREAM CHEESE
  • BUTTER
  • VANILLA
  • FRESH LIMES
Key Lime Cupcakes | realmomkitchen.com

Key Lime Cupcakes

Real Mom Kitchen

5 from 3 votes
Calories

Ingredients
  

  • 1 box lemon cake mix
  • 1 box 3 oz lime-flavored gelatin
  • ¾ cup water
  • cup Key lime juice
  • cup vegetable oil
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 or 3 drops green food coloring
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 2 ½ tablespoons Key lime juice
  • 1 8 oz pkg light cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ cup butter softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 fresh limes each cut into 6 slice and cut slice in half

Instructions
 

  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan) and line 24 regular-size muffin cups with cupcake liners.
  • In large bowl, beat the cake mix, gelatin, water, juice, vegetable oil, eggs and food coloring with an electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes.
  • Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
  • Bake at 350 for 19 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack.
  • Using a toothpick, pierce tops of cupcakes in several places (about 7 to 8 times per cupcake)
  • In small bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar and enough of the 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons lime juice until glaze is smooth. Brush or spread glaze over cupcakes. Cool for 30 more minutes.
  • In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  • Add vanilla and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar to beat until frosting is fluffy.
  • Frost cupcakes. Store covered in refrigerator. Garnish with lime halves just before serving.
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Adapted from Betty Crocker.