Zesty Lime Cupcakes: A Refreshing Twist!

Ingredients

• Cake:
• 1 package of white cake mix (15.25 ounces, e.g., Pillsbury® Classic White)
• A cup of water
• 3 large eggs
• ⅓ cup of vegetable oil
• 2 tablespoons of freshly grated lime zest
• 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lime juice
• A few drops of optional green food coloring
• Frosting:
• ½ cup of softened butter
• 1 package of softened cream cheese (8 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons of finely grated lime zest
• ½ teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups of sifted confectioners' sugar
• Optional pearlized sprinkles, as desired (around 2 tablespoons)

Step 1

To kickstart the baking journey, preheat your oven to a cozy 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Next, get your muffin cups ready by either lining them with pretty paper liners or giving them a quick spritz of cooking spray.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, water, eggs, and vegetable oil. Use an electric mixer to blend everything together until you achieve a silky smooth batter. For an extra zing, toss in 2 tablespoons of freshly grated lime zest, a splash of lime juice, and a few drops of food coloring. Stir everything until well combined, and then carefully distribute the batter into your prepared muffin cups.

Step 3

Pop your creations into the preheated oven and let them bake until they turn a lovely golden hue and a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake emerges clean, which should take around 18 minutes. Once done, allow the cupcakes to cool gracefully on a wire rack.

Step 4

While your cupcakes rest and gather their cool, let's prepare a luscious frosting. In another mixing bowl, whip up a delightful combination of butter and cream cheese using your trusty electric mixer until it becomes a velvety, creamy mixture. Enhance this delightful concoction with 2 tablespoons of vibrant lime zest and a hint of vanilla extract. Gradually incorporate confectioners' sugar, about 1/2 cup at a time, into the buttery blend until your frosting reaches a smooth consistency. For the perfect finishing touch, let the frosting chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to firm up a bit.

Step 5

When the frosting is ready, generously spread it onto each cupcake, creating swirls of deliciousness, and don't forget to crown them with a sprinkle of colorful sprinkles for that extra dash of fun and flavor.