Key Lime Cupcakes!

Lately, I've been craving key-lime something. I think this particular craving comes from season 3 of Dexter, which may imply that I didn't fully understand what I was watching. (I don't want to spoil it for any of you. Also, if you don't already watch Dexter, you should probably check it out--like, today.)

Imagine my delight, then, when yesterday, whilst perusing my favorite cupcake blog, Cupcakes Take the Cake, I discovered a recipe for key lime cupcakes. And what's even more exciting is that I already had all of the ingredients in the house.

Cupcake time has arrived [again]. Here goes it.

The shield for the mixer was in the dishwasher, so I had to be resourceful when I added the flour.

Key Lime Cupcakes

Cupcakes

• 1 cup all-purpose flour


• 3/4 cup self-rising flour


• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature


• 1 1/4 cup sugar


• 2 large eggs


• 2 1/2 tablespoons fresh lime juice


• 1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel (I used the food processor to make this happen)


• 9 drops neon green food coloring


• 3/4 cup buttermilk

Frosting

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese


• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar


• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature


• 1 tablespoon finely grated lime peel


• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preparation for cupcakes

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Line standard muffin pan with 12 paper liners.
3. Whisk both flours in medium bowl.
4. Beat butter in large bowl until smooth.
5. Add sugar; beat to blend.
6. Beat in eggs one at a time, then next three ingredients (batter may look curdled, but mine didn't).
7. Beat in flour mixture in three additions alternately with buttermilk in two additions.
8. Spoon 1/3 cup batter into each liner.
9. Bake cupcakes until tester inserted into center comes out clean, about 20-25 minutes.
10. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan and cool.

To prepare the frosting simply beat all ingredients in bowl until smooth.

I topped mine with graham cracker crumbs, but you could also use toasted coconut or small lime wedges.

Enjoy!