Lime Coconut Cupcakes
One of my favourite summer flavour combinations is lime and coconut. It must be a bit of nostalgia, dancing to the Dannii Minogue version of Coconut in the hot Australian sun during summer vacation, but these lime-coconut cupcakes just taste like summer, and that’s not a bad thing at all.
We’ve tried two variations of this recipe, one with coconut extract and one with the coconut flavour coming from the addition of coconut milk:
- Lime Coconut Cupcakes Version #1: 1 teaspoon good quality coconut extract and 3/4 cup whole milk
- Lime Coconut Cupcakes Version #2: 3/4 cup coconut milk
I personally preferred the second version, but the coconut flavour was barely perceptible. As long as you used a good quality coconut extract (naturally flavoured), you will end up with a great quality cupcake with either version of this lime coconut cupcake.
I also always go to coconut oil, butter, or olive oil for baked goods. I love the flavour and airy, soft texture that olive oil lends to cakes, but feel free to substitute your own choice of good quality oil in it’s place.
Lime Coconut Cupcake Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Salt
- Eggs, room temperature
- White sugar
- Olive Oil
- Lime Zest
- Lime Juice
- Coconut Extract
- Whole Milk
For the Frosting:
- Cream Cheese, softened
- Butter, room temperature
- Powdered icing sugar
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Coconut Extract
- Toasted Coconut, optional garnish
- Small Lime Slices, optional garnish
Scroll down to the printable recipe card for full measurements.
Kitchen Tools You May Find Helpful
- Piping bag with star tip <– a basic piping set will have all you need
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Electric mixer<– this is a great hand mixer if you don’t want to make the investment into a stand mixer
- Large mixing bowl
- Green and White Striped Cupcake Liners
- Sharp kitchen knife
- Cupcake pan
- Cupcake scoop
- Cooling racks <– I have and love these tiered cooling racks, they save so much counter space and are also oven-safe
How to Make Lime Coconut Cupcakes
Preheat your oven to 350F and line a cupcake tray with your favourite cupcake liners — we usually use reusable silicone liners, but this time we used green and white striped paper liners.
Combine all dry ingredients together. Don’t be tempted to skip on the salt!
In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the oil, lime zest and juice, and coconut milk.
Combine the dry and wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
Add the cupcake batter to the prepared liners with an ice cream scoop until 3/4 full.
Remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool before frosting with the coconut-lime frosting.
How to Make Coconut Lime Frosting
Beat the cream cheese using a mixer at medium speed, adding butter 1 Tbsp at a time.
Add good quality coconut extract and powdered sugar, mix until combined
Try not to over-beat the frosting, but if you do, refrigerate the frosting before icing the cupcakes.
Place frosting into a pastry bag with your preferred frosting tip (I used a Wilton 27, but any closed star-tip will result in a similar finish), and swirl overtop of the cupcakes, squeezing evenly and stopping whenever you need to. Flick your wrist at the end to achieve a nice frosting tip, and if necessary, wet your finger to shape the tip slightly.
Garnish with a wedge of lime and sprinkle with toasted coconut.
Grab your free printable for our lime coconut cupcakes recipe:
Lime Coconut Cupcakes
A fun tropical cupcake recipe with vibrant lime and coconut flavors topped with a fresh coconut frosting.
Ingredients
Coconut-Lime Cake Ingredients
- 1¼ cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 eggs, at room temperature
- ¾ cup cane or coconut sugar (can use granulated white sugar)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 teaspoon lime zest
- 4 Tbsp lime juice (1 medium lime)
- ¾ cup coconut milk (or 1 teaspoon organic coconut extract and ¾ cup whole milk)
Frosting Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1½ teaspoon organic coconut extract
- 1½ cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 4 Tablespoons toasted coconut (optional garnish)
- Small Lime slices or wedges (optional garnish)
Instructions
Lime Coconut Cupcakes
- Preheat your oven to 350F and line a cupcake tray with your favourite cupcake liners -- we usually use reusable silicone liners, but this time we used these green and white striped paper liners.
- Combine all dry ingredients together. Don't be tempted to skip on the salt!
- In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy, then add the oil, lime zest and juice, and coconut milk.
- Combine the dry and wet ingredients and stir until just incorporated.
- Add the cupcake batter to the prepared liners with an ice cream scoop until 3/4 full.
- Remove to a cooling rack and allow to cool before frosting with the coconut-lime frosting.
Coconut Lime Frosting
- Beat the cream cheese using a mixer at medium speed, adding butter 1 Tbsp at a time.
- Add good quality coconut extract and powdered sugar, mix until combined
- Try not to over-beat the frosting, but if you do, refrigerate the frosting before icing the cupcakes.
- Place frosting into a pastry bag with your preferred frosting tip (I used a Wilton 27, but any star-tip will result in a similar finish), and swirl overtop of the cupcakes, squeezing evenly and stopping whenever you need to. Flick your wrist at the end to achieve a nice frosting tip, and if necessary, wet your finger to shape the tip slightly.
- Garnish with a wedge of lime and sprinkle with toasted coconut.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
-
Cakesupplyshop Ck8y3u - 50pack Lime Green & White Stripes & Swirl Standard Cupcake Baking Cup Liners
-
Cookie Scoop Ice Cream Scoop Melon Scoop 18/8 Stainless Steel with Trigger Cupcake Scoops (#14)
-
Wilton Excelle Elite 3-Tier Cooling Rack for Cookies, Cakes and More
-
Lime, One Medium
-
Let's Do Organic, Shredded Coconut, 8 oz
-
Frontier Co-op Coconut Flavor, Non-Alcoholic, 2 ounce bottle
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
24Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 212Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 35mgSodium: 134mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 0gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g
Sugar, Spice and Glitter uses an auto-generate nutrition calculator. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate unless analyzed in a scientific lab, so these should be considered more of a guideline than medical information.
Two of my husband’s favorite flavors – think I will try these for Father’s Day for him.
Ooh, that sounds wonderful – please let me know how he likes them!
This sounds amazing!!! Your pictures make it look especially delish. Totally have to make these.
Please let me know how you like them 🙂
Oh my goodness, these sound amazing. And you’re right, the flavor combination of lime and coconut reminds me of summer. Pinning this to my desserts board! 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by, Jennie – is it wrong that I’m craving one at 6 in the morning?
Anything with coconut sounds good to me especially with lime. My mind goes into over drive thinking of sweets light tasty cupcakes make my mouth watery. I am not a baker but lover of anything sweet.
These are definitely nice and light, perfect for summer. I wish I could ship you a few! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Jennifer – wow! These look incredible as well as freshing! Thank you for sharing with us at the Brag About It Link Party!!
~Laurie
Thank you, Laurie – I finally understand why people put fruit in dessert 😉 LOL
Wow! Those are some incredible looking cupcakes right there. Your photography skills shine as much as your baking skills. Found you via Too Cute Tuesday. Great minds think alike…the post I linked up is all about lime, too. 🙂
—- Amy
http://www.thegiftedgabber.com/2015/05/favorite-family-recipe-key-lime-pie.html
Awesome! I’ve actually never tried a key lime pie so I’m heading over right now to take notes!
Jennifer, WOWSIE!!! You are amazing and I will be making these very soon. Thanks for sharing this at the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop. I featured it on my FB page. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow
Oh, please let me know how you like them!
Look amazing and delicious! Visiting from Crafty and Delicious Party!
Thanks, Kim!
These look so delicious, Jennifer!!! I can’t wait to try them!
Thanks, Taylor!
Wow – we are cupcake lovers at our house and these look yummy. A bite of summer !! A keeper recipe for sure. Thanks for sharing. Visiting from Pinch of Joy.
Thank you, Rebecca!
These look absolutely delicious. The perfect tea time or any time treat. Thanks so much for sharing these at the This is How We Roll link party! I have chosen this recipe as my favorite and it will be featured at the next party. Pinned too!
Thank you, Cynthia!
Those cupcakes look like they are full of summer goodness!
Thank you!