Zesty Key Lime Cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

1 ¾ cups All-purpose flour

1 Tsp Baking Powder

½ tsp salt

1 stick (4 oz) Butter

1 ¼ cups sugar

2 Large eggs

2 1/2 Tbsps Fresh lime juice (preferably Key lime)

¾ cups Buttermilk

¼ tsp Light green color

For Frosting:

8 oz Cream cheese

1 stick Butter

½ tbsp juice of lemon

3 ½ cups of Confectioner’s sugar

1 tsp Vanilla extract

DIRECTIONS:

To make the cupcakes: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a standard muffin pan with 12 paper liners. 
2. Sift baking powder and flour in a medium bowl. 
3. Beat butter in a large bowl until smooth. Add sugar; beat to blend. 
4. Beat 1 egg at a time, then next 3 ingredients (batter may look curdled). 
5. Beat in flour in 3 additions, alternately with buttermilk in 2 additions. Spoon scant 1/3 cup batter into each liner.
6. Bake cupcakes until tester inserted in center comes out clean, 20-25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pan; cool till ready to frost.

To make the frosting:

1. Beat together cream cheese and butter. 
2. Add vanilla and lime juice. 
3. Use zest of lime for garnish.