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 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 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.
Lime Coconut Cupcakes
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.
rosemary palmer says
May 22, 2015 at 9:31 pmTwo of my husband’s favorite flavors – think I will try these for Father’s Day for him.
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 6:08 amOoh, that sounds wonderful – please let me know how he likes them!
Alyssa @ Arts and Crackers says
May 22, 2015 at 10:06 pmThis sounds amazing!!! Your pictures make it look especially delish. Totally have to make these.
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 6:06 amPlease let me know how you like them 🙂
Jennie says
May 23, 2015 at 8:50 amOh 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! 🙂
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 6:06 amThank you so much for stopping by, Jennie – is it wrong that I’m craving one at 6 in the morning?
Patrice M fOSTER says
May 23, 2015 at 12:17 pmAnything 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.
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 6:04 amThese are definitely nice and light, perfect for summer. I wish I could ship you a few! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Laurie says
May 26, 2015 at 2:45 pmJennifer – wow! These look incredible as well as freshing! Thank you for sharing with us at the Brag About It Link Party!!
~Laurie
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 5:55 amThank you, Laurie – I finally understand why people put fruit in dessert 😉 LOL
The Gifted Gabber says
May 26, 2015 at 11:52 pmWow! 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
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 5:48 amAwesome! I’ve actually never tried a key lime pie so I’m heading over right now to take notes!
Carrie groneman says
May 27, 2015 at 3:01 pmJennifer, 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
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 5:40 amOh, please let me know how you like them!
Kim @The Baking ChocolaTess says
May 27, 2015 at 11:29 pmLook amazing and delicious! Visiting from Crafty and Delicious Party!
Jennifer Tammy says
May 28, 2015 at 5:39 amThanks, Kim!
Taylor says
May 28, 2015 at 4:50 pmThese look so delicious, Jennifer!!! I can’t wait to try them!
Jennifer Tammy says
June 12, 2015 at 7:58 pmThanks, Taylor!
Rebecca says
June 1, 2015 at 11:06 amWow – 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.
Jennifer Tammy says
June 12, 2015 at 7:42 pmThank you, Rebecca!
Cynthia L says
June 2, 2015 at 6:39 amThese 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!
Jennifer Tammy says
June 12, 2015 at 7:39 pmThank you, Cynthia!
Akaleistar says
June 2, 2015 at 6:33 pmThose cupcakes look like they are full of summer goodness!
Jennifer Tammy says
June 12, 2015 at 7:38 pmThank you!