Key Lime Cupcakes

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.

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

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★★★★★

5 from 3 reviews

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Ingredients

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• 1 box lemon cake mix
• 1 box (3 oz) lime-flavored gelatin
• 3/4 cup water
• 1/3 cup Key lime juice
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 eggs
• 2 or 3 drops green food coloring
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons Key lime juice
• 1 (8 oz) pkg light cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 fresh limes, each cut into 6 slice and cut slice in half

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Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan) and line 24 regular-size muffin cups with cupcake liners.
2. 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.
3. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
4. 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.
5. Using a toothpick, pierce tops of cupcakes in several places (about 7 to 8 times per cupcake)
6. 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.
7. In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.
8. Add vanilla and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar to beat until frosting is fluffy.
9. Frost cupcakes. Store covered in refrigerator. Garnish with lime halves just before serving.

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Adapted from Betty Crocker.