Ingredients
- 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 heaping teaspoon grated key lime zest
- 1 1/2 tablespoons key lime juice (bottled or freshly squeezed)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/3 cups loosely packed sweetened coconut flakes (3.5 ounces)
For the Frosting:
- 5 ounces good quality white chocolate, chopped into small chucks
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon key lime juice (bottled or freshly squeezed)
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- Finely grated key lime zest, for garnish
Directions
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla extract, key lime zest and juice and mix well. In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 5 parts total, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold the coconut into the cupcake batter.
Line a muffin pan with paper liners and fill each liner almost to the top with batter. A spring loaded 1/4 cup ice cream scoop works great for this and ensures the cupcakes are all the same size. Bake for 25 minutes or until the tops begin to brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Remove cupcakes from oven and allow to cool in the pan for 10 minutes and then transfer cupcakes to a baking rack to cool completely.
While the cupcakes are cooling you can make the frosting. In a small heat proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, carefully and slowly melt the white chocolate. Remove from heat and let cool until just slightly warm. Meanwhile, in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter until light and fluffy. With the mixer on low, gradually add the powdered sugar until well combined. Add the salt, vanilla extract, key lime juice, and sour cream and mix until very smooth. Add the melted white chocolate and mix just until incorporated.
Frost the cupcakes and garnish with a bit of grated key lime zest. Enjoy!
A viewer, who may not be a professional cook, provided this recipe. The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.
Photo: Key Lime Coconut Cupcakes with White Chocolate Frosting Recipe




















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By mscoulte
Greenville, SC
on February 06, 2012
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I have made these twice and each time I got tons of compliments. So much more flavorful than a more traditional cupcake!
By Amalai
on January 16, 2012
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These are awesome! I baked them twenty five minutes and they were perfect! You will want to double this recipe to have more to enjoy! They are easy but a little bit of work for barely a dozen.
By cboyleston_10896019
Aiken, SC
on January 15, 2012
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This is a great cupcake! Just the right amount of lime flavoring. I did have to bake them for 30 minutes instead of the 25 minutes suggested. I added toasted coconut in addition to the zested lime on top.
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