Coconut Lime Cupcakes

These Coconut Lime Cupcakes are bursting with tropical flavor! 🥥🍈 Light, fluffy, and topped with zesty lime buttercream – a summer must-bake!

Coconut Lime Desserts

Looking for a bright and zesty dessert that’s perfect for summer? These Coconut Lime Cupcakes are light, fluffy, and bursting with tropical flavor. Whether you call them Lime Coconut Cupcakes or just a favorite among tropical cupcakes recipes, they’re a fun and refreshing treat for warm-weather gatherings, brunches, or whenever you want a burst of citrus.

This coconut lime cupcakes recipe features a soft lime-infused cupcake with real lime zest and juice, sweet coconut flakes, and a tangy lime buttercream frosting. If you’re a fan of coconut lime desserts, this one is sure to become a new go-to.

🛒 Ingredients & Substitutions

Cupcakes

• all-purpose flour – use gluten-free blend for a GF version
• baking powder
• baking soda
• salt
• butter – substitute with margarine if needed
• granulated sugar
• lime zest – lemon zest works in a pinch
• coconut extract
• large eggs
• lime juice – bottled lime juice can be used if fresh is unavailable
• lime yogurt – plain yogurt or sour cream also work
• coconut flakes
• green food coloring – optional, for a fun pop of color

Frosting

• unsalted butter – margarine can be used
• powdered sugar
• lime juice
• lime zest
• green food coloring – optional
• coconut flakes and lime slices – optional garnishes

✨ Variations

• Swap the lime for lemon to make lemon coconut cupcakes
• Add a surprise lime curd filling in the center
• Use toasted coconut on top for added crunch
• Turn it into a layer cake using the same batter and frosting

🔥 Tips

• Zest the limes before juicing them
• Use room temperature ingredients for smoother batter
• Don’t overfill the liners to avoid overflow
• Frost only once the cupcakes are completely cool

❓ FAQs

🍽️ Other Recipes You May Enjoy

• Chipotle Lime Chicken Tacos – Bold, zesty flavor packed into every bite
• Coconut Cream Poke Cake – Great for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you want a no-fuss dessert
• Cherry Coconut Magic Bars – Perfect for bake sales, dessert trays, or gifting
• Key Lime Cheesecake – Smooth, creamy, and bursting with bright citrus flavor
• Mini Key Lime Cheesecakes – Bright, refreshing, and full of citrusy goodness

Coconut Lime Cupcakes

Jamie Sherman

Coconut Lime Cupcakes are soft, fluffy, and full of tropical flavor with a tangy lime buttercream. A perfect treat for summer parties.

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Prep Time 18 minutes mins

Cook Time 18 minutes mins

Additional Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 6 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 12 servings

Calories 466 kcal

Equipment

• 12-cup muffin pan
• cupcake liners
• mixing bowl (medium and large)
• hand mixer or stand mixer
• rubber spatula or wooden spoon
• zester or microplane
• citrus juicer
• piping tip
• wire cooling rack

Ingredients

  

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For the Cupcakes

• 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour sifted
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup butter softened
• ¾ cup granulated sugar
• 2 tablespoons lime zest zest of 2 limes
• 2 teaspoons coconut extract
• 2 large eggs room temperature
• ¼ cup lime juice about 2 limes
• ½ cup lime yogurt
• ½ cup coconut flakes
• 6 drops green food coloring optional

For the Lime Buttercream Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 3 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 1 ½ tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons lime zest
• 6 drops green food coloring optional
• ¼ cup coconut flakes for garnish
• key lime slices optional, for garnish

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Instructions

 

To Make the Cupcakes

• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
• In a medium bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together. Set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add sugar and lime zest and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
• Mix in the coconut extract. Add eggs one at a time, beating well and scraping the bowl between each addition.
• Stir in lime juice, yogurt, coconut flakes, and green food coloring (if using). Mix until smooth.
• With the mixer on low speed, gradually add the dry ingredients in thirds, mixing until fully combined. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
• Fill each cupcake liner a little over halfway full.
• Bake for 15–18 minutes, or until the centers spring back when lightly pressed.
• Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

To Make the Lime Buttercream

• Beat the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy.
• Add lime juice, zest, and food coloring (if using). Beat for another minute. Add more powdered sugar if needed to thicken the frosting.
• Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cupcakes. Garnish with coconut flakes and a slice of lime, if desired.

Notes

🥡 STORAGE

Store frosted cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Bring to room temperature before serving.

♨️ REHEATING

Not recommended to reheat, as the frosting may melt. Serve at room temperature.

❄️ FREEZING

Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months in an airtight container. Thaw and frost before serving.

💡 TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS

• Use fresh lime zest and juice for maximum flavor.
• If your yogurt is watery, strain off excess liquid before using.
• Let cupcakes cool completely before frosting to avoid melting the buttercream.

♻️ LEFTOVERS

Leftover cupcakes can be stored in the fridge or freezer. If already frosted, freeze them uncovered for 1 hour, then wrap and freeze for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cupcakeCalories: 466kcalCarbohydrates: 55gProtein: 3gFat: 27gSaturated Fat: 18gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 88mgSodium: 254mgPotassium: 72mgFiber: 1gSugar: 43gVitamin A: 753IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg

Please note that the nutritional information listed on this page is an estimation based on the products I used. Ingredients and nutritional information can vary significantly between brands. Always be sure to read labels. Please verify that a recipe fits your needs before using it. Nutrition info may contain errors, so please verify it independently. Likewise, recipes may contain errors, so please use your common sense when following them.

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I’m Jamie, a self-taught home cook passionate about sharing easy, delicious, and family-friendly recipes. From comforting classics to irresistible desserts, I believe homemade food brings people together. Join me on my journey of creating and sharing meals that bring joy to every table!