Best 7 Key West Cupcakes Recipes

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Indulge in the tropical paradise of Key West Cupcakes, a delightful treat inspired by the vibrant flavors of the island city. These cupcakes are a perfect blend of sweet and tangy, with a moist and fluffy texture that will tantalize your taste buds. Topped with a luscious cream cheese frosting and a sprinkle of lime zest, these cupcakes are a feast for the senses. In this article, we present two irresistible recipes for Key West Cupcakes: a classic version and a gluten-free alternative. Both recipes capture the essence of Key West, offering a taste of the island's laid-back charm and tropical vibes. Whether you're a seasoned baker or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes will guide you step-by-step to create these delightful cupcakes that will transport you to the heart of Key West.

Let's cook with our recipes!

KEY LIME CUPCAKES



Key Lime Cupcakes image

I made these light, tangy cupcakes on a chilly day to remind me of our vacation in southern Florida, where Key lime pies are star attractions. -Jennifer Gilbert, Brighton, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 45m

Yield 16 cupcakes.

Number Of Ingredients 18

1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup 2% milk
FROSTING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 teaspoons grated Key lime zest
2 teaspoons Key lime juice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line 16 muffin cups with paper or foil liners., In a large bowl, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. In another bowl, whisk cracker crumbs, flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition., Fill prepared cups two-thirds full. Bake 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., For frosting, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and lime zest until blended. Beat in lime juice and vanilla. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until smooth. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Refrigerate until serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 378 calories, Fat 16g fat (9g saturated fat), Cholesterol 63mg cholesterol, Sodium 270mg sodium, Carbohydrate 57g carbohydrate (45g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 4g protein.

KEY WEST CUPCAKES



Key West Cupcakes image

Make cupcakes with a Key lime flavor twist! Both a filling and a frosting make them special.

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h30m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 10

1 box (4-serving size) vanilla instant pudding and pie filling mix
1 1/2 cups whipping cream
1/4 cup fresh Key lime or regular lime juice
4 drops green food color
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ yellow cake mix
Water, vegetable oil and eggs called for on cake mix box
1 container Betty Crocker™ Whipped fluffy white frosting
1 tablespoon fresh Key lime or regular lime juice
1/2 teaspoon grated Key lime or regular lime peel

Steps:

  • To make filling, in large bowl, beat pudding mix and whipping cream with whisk 2 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes. Beat in 1/4 cup lime juice and the food color; stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Cover and refrigerate.
  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark and nonstick pans). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box for 24 cupcakes. Cool in pans 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  • Spread 1 rounded tablespoonful filling on top of each cupcake. Stir frosting in container 20 times. Gently stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice and the lime peel. Spoon frosting into 1-quart resealable food-storage plastic bag. Cut 1/2-inch opening across lower corner of bag. Squeeze 1 tablespoon frosting from bag onto filling on each cupcake. Garnish with fresh lime wedge if desired. Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 280, Carbohydrate 36 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 3, Fiber 0 g, Protein 1 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, ServingSize 1 Cupcake, Sodium 220 mg, Sugar 27 g, TransFat 1 g

KEY LIME CUPCAKES



Key Lime Cupcakes image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     dessert

Time 1h40m

Yield 12 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 25

1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk
1/4 cup fresh Key lime juice (from about 8 Key limes)
2 teaspoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon grated Key lime zest (from about 2 Key limes)
Pinch of salt
12 chocolate wafer cookies
12 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon grated Key lime zest
2 tablespoons fresh Key lime juice (from about 4 Key limes)
1/3 cup buttermilk
1 stick unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 1/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon fresh Key lime juice
Pinch of salt
Key lime slices and grated zest, for topping

Steps:

  • Make the lime curd: Combine the granulated sugar, egg and egg yolk, lime juice and cornstarch in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, whisking, until thick enough to coat a spoon, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter, a little at a time, until smooth. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl, then stir in the lime zest and salt. Set in a larger bowl of ice and stir until the curd is completely cool. Press plastic wrap directly onto the surface; refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Make the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a muffin pan with 12 cupcake liners. Pulse the wafer cookies in a food processor until finely ground. Melt 2 tablespoons butter; add to the processor and pulse until the mixture comes together. Press about 1 tablespoon crumbs into each muffin cup.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt into a medium bowl; set aside. Combine the remaining 10 tablespoons butter and the granulated sugar in a large bowl and beat with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low; beat in the eggs, one at a time. Add the vanilla, lime zest and juice and beat until well combined. Add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Increase the speed to medium high and mix until combined.
  • Divide the batter among the prepared muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters of the way. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 20 to 22 minutes. Remove to a rack; let cool completely.
  • Make the frosting: Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until fluffy, 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to low and beat in the confectioners' sugar. Increase the speed to medium high; add the sour cream, lime juice and salt and beat until fluffy, 2 more minutes.
  • Place the lime curd in a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch tip. Insert the tip into the center of each cupcake and squeeze to fill. Frost the cupcakes, then pipe more lime curd on top. Top with lime slices and zest.
  • Cook's Note: Key limes are smaller and more tart than regular limes. If you can't find them, look for bottled Key lime juice and use regular lime zest.

KEY LIME CUPCAKES WITH KEY LIME CURD



Key Lime Cupcakes with Key Lime Curd image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 24 cupcakes

Number Of Ingredients 19

3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter
2 cups granulated sugar
6 eggs
2 tablespoons key lime zest
1/2 cup milk
5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
2 sticks (1/2 pound) unsalted butter
8 ounces cream cheese
2 tablespoons key lime zest
2 tablespoons key lime juice
3 eggs
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup key lime juice
1 tablespoon key lime zest
4 tablespoon cold unsalted butter
2 cups pop rock candy

Steps:

  • For the cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Line cupcake or muffin pans with 24 cupcake liners.
  • Sift the flour, baking powder and salt and set aside in a bowl.
  • In the bowl of electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and granulated sugar together for about 2 minutes. Then scrape down the bowl and add the eggs one at a time. After adding all the eggs, scrape down bowl and add the milk and dry ingredients. Mix on low until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl again and hike up from low speed to medium speed for about 20 seconds, and then scrape down the bowl for the last time.
  • Fill the cupcake liners three-quarters full with batter. Bake for 20 to 22 minutes, rotating the cupcakes after 12 minutes, and bake until the cupcakes are baked through. Cool the cupcakes completely.
  • For the frosting: Sift the powdered sugar and set aside in a bowl.
  • In the bowl of electric stand mixer with a paddle attachment, cream the butter and cream cheese on low speed. Scrape down the bowl and add the sifted powdered sugar 1 cup at a time. Slowly add the key lime juice and zest until well incorporated. Scrape down the bowl and mix on low speed. Then hike up to medium to high speed for about 2 minutes until creamy and fluffy.
  • For the curd: Whisk the eggs, sugar and key lime juice in a steel bowl and set aside while you prepare a double boiler.
  • Put a small pot half full with water on the stove over medium to high heat. Place the steel bowl with the whisked eggs on top of the pot and mix with a spatula until your mixture has become creamy like sour cream, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the mixture and strain, getting rid of excess egg particles. Grab a second steel bowl and dump your egg mixture inside, adding your zest and cold butter. Mix until well incorporated and place in the fridge until it slightly thickens, 10 to 15 minutes (or until desired consistency is achieved).
  • Hollow out the middle of the cooled cupcakes with an apple corer or melon ball scooper and set aside. Fill the cupcakes with the curd. Put the frosting into a pastry bag and cut 1/2-inch off the tip. Swirl on the frosting, and then edge the sides in pop rock candies.

KEY LIME PIE CUPCAKES



Key Lime Pie Cupcakes image

I bake over 200 of these cupcakes for our church suppers, and we always run out. If you can't find Key lime juice, use lime juice. Just add a tad more sugar. -Julie Herrera-Lemler, Rochester, Minnesota

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Desserts

Time 1h5m

Yield 32 cupcakes.

Number Of Ingredients 15

4 sheets refrigerated pie crust
1 cup butter, softened
2-1/2 cups sugar
4 large eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup Key lime juice
2 cups all-purpose flour
1-1/2 cups self-rising flour
1-1/2 cups buttermilk
FROSTING:
12 ounces cream cheese, softened
1-1/2 cups butter, softened
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-3/4 to 3 cups confectioners' sugar
6 tablespoons Key lime juice
Fresh raspberries

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 350°. Line 32 muffin cups with foil liners. On a work surface, unroll crusts. Cut 32 circles with a floured 2-1/4-in. round cookie cutter (discard remaining crust or save for another use). Press 1 crust circle into each liner. Bake until lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Cool on wire racks., In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until crumbly. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in lime juice. In another bowl, whisk flours; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition., Pour batter into prepared cups. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean, 20-22 minutes. Cool in pans 10 minutes before removing to wire racks to cool completely., In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until blended. Beat in enough confectioners' sugar, alternately with lime juice, to reach desired consistency. Frost cupcakes; top with raspberries. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 368 calories, Fat 21g fat (13g saturated fat), Cholesterol 78mg cholesterol, Sodium 256mg sodium, Carbohydrate 42g carbohydrate (27g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 4g protein.

KEY LIME CUPCAKES



Key Lime Cupcakes image

No matter if you're new to baking or a seasoned pro, our Key Lime Cupcakes are a surefire hit. We know you'll rock our refreshing and tasty Key Lime Cupcakes recipe. The Key lime juice brings bold citrus flavor to our Key Lime Cupcakes and the glaze and frosting make them unforgettable. Make sure to grab one (or two!) before they fly off the dessert plate. Now all that's left to do is enjoy!

Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens

Categories     Dessert

Time 1h35m

Yield 24

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 box Betty Crocker™ Super Moist™ lemon cake mix
1 box (4-serving size) Jell-O™ 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 color, if desired
1 cup powdered sugar
2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons Key lime juice
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Grated lime peel, if desired

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Place paper baking cup in each of 24 regular-size muffin cups. In large bowl, beat cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, then on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Divide batter evenly among muffin cups, filling each about two-thirds full.
  • Bake 19 to 24 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove from pan to cooling rack. With toothpick or wooden skewer, pierce tops of cupcakes in several places.
  • In small bowl, mix 1 cup powdered sugar and enough of the 2 to 2 1/2 tablespoons lime juice until glaze is smooth and thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle and spread glaze over cupcakes. Cool completely, about 30 minutes.
  • In large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in vanilla and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed; beat on medium speed until fluffy. Frost cupcakes, mounding and swirling frosting in center. Garnish with lime peel. Store covered in refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 174.3, Carbohydrate 23.3 g, Cholesterol 38.7 mg, Fat 1 1/2, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 1.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.4 g, ServingSize 1 Cupcake, Sodium 44.6 mg, Sugar 22.2 g, TransFat 0 g

KEY WEST CUPCAKES



Key West Cupcakes image

These need to be stored in the refrigerator

Provided by Samantha Bideau

Categories     Cakes

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 box (4 servings) vanilla instant pudding and pie mix
1 1/2 c whipping cream
1/4 c fresh lime juice
4 drops food coloring
1 1/2 c powdered sugar
1 box yellow cake mix
1 container white frosting
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp grated lime peel

Steps:

  • 1. In large bowl, beat pudding mix and whipping cream with wire whisk 2 minutes. Let stand 3 minutes
  • 2. Beat in 1/4 cup lime juice and the food coloring; stir in powdered sugar until smooth. Cover, refrigerate
  • 3. Heat oven to 350*.
  • 4. Place paper baking cups in each 24 regular size muffin cups. Make and bake cake mix as directed on box, using water, oil and eggs. Cool in pan 10 minutes; remove from pan to cooling rack. Cool completely
  • 5. Spread 1 tablespoon filling (pudding mix) on top of each cupcake.
  • 6. Stir frosting in container 20 times. Gently stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice and lime peel. Spoon frosting into resealable bag. Cut 1/2" opening from bottom corner of bag.
  • 7. Squeeze 1 tablespoon frosting from bag onto filling on each cupcake. Garnish with fresh lime wedge or slice

Tips:

  • Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor.
  • Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. This will help incorporate air into the batter, resulting in a lighter, more tender cupcake.
  • Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. This will help prevent the batter from curdling.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Overmixing can result in a tough cupcake.
  • Fill the cupcake liners about 2/3 full. This will allow the cupcakes to rise without overflowing.
  • Bake the cupcakes at the specified temperature for the specified amount of time. Overbaking can result in dry, crumbly cupcakes.
  • Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting. This will help the frosting set properly.

Conclusion:

These Key West Cupcakes are a delicious and festive treat that are perfect for any occasion. With their moist and fluffy texture, tangy cream cheese frosting, and colorful sprinkles, they are sure to be a hit with everyone who tries them. So next time you're looking for a special dessert, give these cupcakes a try. You won't be disappointed!

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