As St. Patrick’s Day approached this year, I pondered what flavor of cupcake I could produce that could be colored green but also flavored with something naturally green. And, since broccoli cupcakes do not sound very appetizing to me, it proved to be a slight challenge. But after searching for some “Pinspiration”, I formulated an idea! And the fruits of my labor turned out to be a success, and I was able to produce some “Lovely Lime Cupcakes.”

These cupcakes are simple with just the right flavoring of lime, accomplished by freshly squeezed lime juice and a bit of lime zest. The finished product is a soft, pale green cupcake topped with a light and slightly tangy frosting. Biting into one of these baby angels took me back to the beaches of Mexico around this time last year. I must say, I was very happy with how these turned out!

To begin, prepare a white cake mix, stirring in the lime juice and zest into the batter. After baking and cooling, prepare the frosting, which is made from equal amounts of butter and shortening to balance the flavor and consistency. To finish, pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and top with some fun green sprinkles! I used a bright yellowish-greenish mix, which I think helped the cupcakes to look the part of the flavor they represented. 

If you are a fan of citrus and fresh flavors, perhaps these lime treats can find a place at your table this St. Patty’s Day!

Lovely Lime Cupcakes

For the Cupcakes:

• 1 white or vanilla cake mix
• Oil, eggs, and water for cake mix
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• Zest from 2 small limes
• Green gel food coloring

For the Frosting:

• 2 limes
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 7 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 tablespoons heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Green gel food coloring
• Green sprinkles

For the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Mix cake mix with oil, eggs, and water according to package instructions.
3. Once mixed, stir in the lime juice, zest, and a bit of the green gel food coloring. Mix until smooth.
4. Fill lined cupcake pans with batter.
5. Bake for 12-17 minutes until a toothpick inserted into the middle comes out clean.
6. Remove to wire racks to cool completely. 

For the Frosting: 

1. Juice the limes, setting the juice aside. 
2. Cream butter and shortening together until smooth.
3. Mix in half of the powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons of the cream until combined. Then, mix in the remaining powdered sugar, lime juice, 2 tablespoons cream, vanilla and a bit of the green food coloring until fully incorporated. Mix on high until frosting is fluffy and creamy, adding a bit more cream if necessary. 
4. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes, topping with green sprinkles.

Makes 24 cupcakes