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Fluffy coconut cupcakes topped with a tart and tangy key lime frosting!

Coconut Key Lime Cupcakes

Fluffy coconut cupcakes topped with a tart and tangy key lime frosting!
Prep Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 37 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 17 Cupcakes

Ingredients
  

Cupcakes:

  • 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • ¾ cup Greek yogurt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 teaspoon coconut extract
  • ½ cup coconut milk*

Key Lime Frosting:

  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 3 Tablespoons key lime juice**
  • 1 Tablespoon key lime zest**
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 cups powdered sugar

To Decorate:

  • Lime slices
  • Toasted shredded coconut

Instructions
 

Make the Cupcakes:

  • Preheat oven to 350ºF degrees. Line a 12-count muffin pan with cupcake liners.
  • In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until combined; set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together on medium speed until lightened and creamy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed. Beat in the Greek yogurt, vanilla, and coconut extract on medium speed.
  • Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined. Add the coconut milk, then mix until just combined, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl as needed.
  • Fill cupcake liners 2/3 of the way full. Bake for 19-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with few crumbs attached. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

Make the Frosting:

  • In the chilled bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a separate bowl in the refrigerator, and return bowl to mixer.
  • Switch whisk attachment out for paddle attachment, and beat cream cheese, lime juice, zest, vanilla and salt on high until smooth and creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, a half cup at a time, until combined.
  • Remove bowl from mixer and fold in the whipped cream with a spatula. Transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large round tip, and pipe onto cupcakes.
  • Garnish each cupcake with a lime slice and toasted shredded coconut. Serve immediately, or store covered in the refrigerator.

Notes

*Coconut milk can usually be found in the International aisle of most grocery stores. It comes in a 13.5 ounce can. If there's a thick, solid white layer at the top, just pour all of the contents of the can into a saucepan, and heat it on the stove until it comes together.
**Regular limes can be used in place of key limes.