Key Lime Cupcakes

Made with lime gelatin and lemon cake mix, these key lime cupcakes are light, fluffy, and the perfect combination of sweet and tart.

I have a family friend, Barbara Ingram, to thank for this key lime cupcake recipe. She owns a wedding chapel, florist, and catering company in the town of Rogersville, Alabama and this is one of her most requested desserts.

To make my key lime cupcakes recipe, you’ll need lemon cake mix, lime gelatin, buttermilk, vegetable oil, eggs, and green food coloring. All we’re gonna do is combine these ingredients in a bowl and separate the batter into two muffin tins. The lime and lemon combine for the perfect amount of zesty citrus flavor. But it’s the milk that’s the secret weapon. Buttermilk ensures the cupcakes are moist yet fluffy.

We finish off our lime cupcakes with homemade cream cheese frosting. To make it, we mix together cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla. Pipe it onto your cooled cupcakes and you’re ready to party! I added a little key lime zest on top, but you don’t have to.

With that green hue, these cupcakes are the perfect treat for celebrating Cinco de Mayo or St Patrick’s Day. But they truly taste scrumptious year-round. 

My family loves anything with citrus and if yours does too make sure to try these other recipes: Lemon Icebox Cake, Lemon Meringue Pie, Buttermilk Lime Pound Cake, 7-Up Pound Cake With Lemon Glaze, and Easy Lemon Bar Recipe.

Recipe Ingredients

Cupcakes

• Lemon cake mix
• Lime gelatin
• Buttermilk
• Vegetable oil
• Eggs
• Green food coloring

Cream cheese frosting

• Cream cheese
• Unsalted butter
• Confectioner’s sugar
• Vanilla extract

Helpful Kitchen Tools

• Electric Mixer (Splurge)
• Electric Mixer (Budget Friendly)
• Cup Cake Sheet

How to Make Key Lime Cupcakes

Place all ingredients in a large bowl.

Mix with an electric mixer for one minute.

Scrape down the sides and mix it again until smooth (about 2 minutes more).

Line 2×12-cup muffin pans with cupcake papers.

Divide the cupcake batter evenly among each cupcake liner.

Use an ice cream scoop to make life easier.

Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly brown and they spring back when lightly pressed in the center.

Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.

Make Cream Cheese Frosting

Place softened cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl.

Cream them together with an electric mixer.

Add powdered sugar and vanilla and beat again until smooth and creamy, scraping down sides as needed.

It will look a little bit like this.

Generously frost the cooled cupcakes.

If you like, decorate cupcakes with a little key lime zest (or regular lime zest, whatever ya got) and white sprinkles for a festive touch.

How fluffy does the key lime cupcake look inside? 

YUM!

Enjoy!

Storage

• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours or in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• You can freeze the cupcakes without icing for up to 3 months (thawed cream cheese doesn’t have the best texture). I’d double-wrap them in plastic wrap then aluminum foil and thaw them at room temperature before serving.

Recipe Notes

• For extra lime flavor, make key lime frosting instead. Add a tablespoon of regular lime juice or key lime juice and a teaspoon of lime zest to the existing cream cheese icing. You can also add a drop of green food coloring if you want to go for full green cupcakes. I’m not gonna stop ya!
• Another great topping is some graham cracker crumbs for that quintessential key lime pie taste.
• OR you can add a little lime slice. 
• Instead of lemon cake mix, you can use white cake mix or yellow cake mix.

Recipe FAQs

What flavor goes with key lime?

Key lime and coconut are the perfect flavor combination. So if you like, you can sprinkle your icing with shredded coconut flakes.

Are lime cupcakes better with oil or butter?

Oil ensures your lime cupcakes stay moister for longer.

Can I tempt you with these citrus recipes too?

Key Lime Coconut Sheet Cake

Lemon Icebox Cake

Lemon Meringue Pie

Buttermilk Lime Pound Cake

7-Up Pound Cake With Lemon Glaze

Easy Lemon Bar Recipe