Key Lime Cupcakes

These Key Lime Cupcakes are light, tender, and gently flavored with lime. The cupcake itself is soft and fresh, while the cream cheese frosting adds a smooth, slightly tangy finish. Simple and easy to love, they’re a nice change of pace from traditional cupcakes.

I hold a special place in my heart for the Florida Keys. I have been a few times, and one of the many things I love about it is the key lime pie. There is something about that whole combination. The buttery graham cracker crust and that slightly tangy, creamy filling. When it’s done right, there isn’t much that can compete. I love to try and get that similar flavor into other recipes, and I think I have been successful with these key lime pie cupcakes. 

Key Lime Cupcake Recipe

Bright, tangy, and perfectly balanced with a rich cream cheese frosting. They have that classic key lime flavor without being overly sweet, making them feel fresh and just a little indulgent. If you’re craving something citrusy, especially in the middle of winter or for a spring gathering, these cupcakes deliver that pop of sunshine in every bite. Plus, they are simple to make, use everyday ingredients, and come together quickly, which makes them just as suited for a casual weekend bake as they are for showers, holidays, or dessert tables.

Key Lime Cupcakes

If you’ve never had a key lime cupcake before, imagine the flavor of classic key lime pie turned into a soft, tender cupcake. The key lime cake itself is light and moist with a gentle citrus tang, not sharp or sour, but bright and refreshing. Lime juice and zest are baked right into the batter, giving each bite a subtle zing that keeps the sweetness in check.

The cupcakes are finished with a creamy key lime frosting made with cream cheese, adding richness and a smooth, slightly tangy contrast to the fluffy cake underneath. The result is a cupcake that feels balanced and fresh, with just enough sweetness to satisfy without feeling heavy.

Ingredients In Key Lime Cupcakes

​You can find the complete ingredients and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. 

For the Cupcakes:

• Salted butter – Adds richness and flavor; softened butter creams smoothly with the sugars.
• Granulated sugar & light brown sugar – The combination adds sweetness with a hint of depth and moisture.
• Eggs – Provide structure and help the cupcakes rise evenly.
• Sour cream – Keeps the cupcakes soft and tender while balancing the citrus.
• Lime juice & zest – fresh limes bring that unmistakable key lime flavor to the cake.
• All-purpose flour – The base that gives the cupcakes structure.
• Baking powder & baking soda – Work together to create a light, fluffy crumb.

For the Frosting:

• Butter & cream cheese – Create a smooth, creamy frosting with just enough tang.
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Lime juice & zest – Brightens the frosting and ties it perfectly to the cupcakes.

Optional toppings: add some graham cracker crumbs or graham cracker pieces to the top of each cupcake to make them taste even more like a key lime pie! Or top with key lime slices as decoration. 

How to Make this Lime Cupcake Recipe

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners and set it aside.

Combine the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar in a large mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer to cream the ingredients together for 2 minutes on medium speed. All the sugar should be dissolved.

Add the eggs and whisk for another 2 minutes, or until the eggs are fully incorporated with the creamed sugar. Whisk in the sour cream, lime zest, and lime juice.

Reduce the speed of your mixer. Gently whisk in the flour, baking powder, and baking soda until no clumps of dry ingredients remain in your batter.

Fill your cupcake liners with the batter and bake for 20 minutes. While the cupcakes are baking, you can assemble your frosting by whisking together the butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, lime zest, and lime juice until smooth and creamy.

Once your cupcakes are done baking, remove them from the pan and let them cool on the counter for 30 minutes before frosting. Frost to your liking and enjoy!

Make Ahead & Storage

Because of the cream cheese frosting, these cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator.

Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.

Serving: Enjoy straight from the fridge or let them sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving.

Unfrosted cupcakes can be baked a day ahead and stored covered at room temperature, then frosted just before serving.

Love it? Print it!

If you can’t wait to make this recipe for Key Lime Cupcakes, make sure you can find it. Pin it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board before you go.

Tips for the Best Key Lime Cupcakes

• Use room-temperature butter, eggs, and cream cheese for the smoothest batter and frosting.
• Freshly squeezed lime juice gives the best flavor, but bottled lime juice works just fine.
• Don’t overmix once the dry ingredients are added; mix just until combined to keep the cupcakes tender.
• Let the cupcakes cool completely before frosting so the cream cheese frosting holds its shape.

FAQs

• Can I use regular limes instead of key limes? Yes! Regular limes work perfectly and are often easier to find.
• Can I use unsalted butter? Absolutely! Just add about ¼ teaspoon of salt to both the cupcake batter and frosting.
• Do I need a piping bag? Not at all. A piping bag gives a more polished look, but a simple spatula works great if you’re short on time.

More Citrus Recipes To Love

I love baked goods that have fresh citrus – lime, lemon, orange – I love them all! When it comes to lime, take a peek at that Key Lime Slab Pie pictured above, these Key Lime Pie Bars, and this Key Lime Pie Smoothie, too! I just updated this Fresh Orange Cake recipe, and these Fresh Orange Bars and Orange Meltaway Cookies are fan favorites, as is this Grown Up Orange Julius.

Lemon is probably my favorite of all the citrus fruits, and I have so many lemon recipes on my website! Some of my favorites are these Lemon Brownies, Lemon Crumb Muffins, No Bake Lemon Icebox Pie, and these Chewy Glazed Lemon Cookies too.

These Key Lime Cupcakes are light, tangy, and creamy all at once. The kind of dessert that feels special anytime. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want a citrusy treat to brighten your week, this is a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.