Key Lime Cupcakes

It's been awhile since I blogged a recipe, hasn't it? Well, at the request of a couple blog friends I my new favorite cupcake recipe to share with you! It's a pretty easy one to follow that results in home made tasting cupcakes...there is a secret though...it starts with a box mix. {Gasp!} Crazy, I know!!

Here goes!

Cupcakes:

box lemon cake mix

box (4 serving) of lime Jello

3/4 cup of water

1/2 cup of oil

1/3 cup key lime juice

3 eggs

green food coloring (optional)

Frosting:

package (8oz) cream cheese

1/4 butter

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar

food coloring (optional)

Directions:

• Heat oven to 350*. In a large bowl, beat cupcake ingredients with electric mixer on low for 30 seconds, then on medium for 2 minutes. Divide batter among cupcake liners (or cake pan if you chose that route).
• Bake cupcakes 19 to 24 minutes (I did 20) or until a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool on wire rack (or counter if you are me!)
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy. On low speed, beat in vanilla and 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed; beat on medium speed until fluffy. You could also add any color food coloring if you prefer. Frost and enjoy!

Notes:

• These cupcakes are very moist and delicious!
• In my opinion, the frosting that accompanies these cupcakes was too thin. I added about 1 cup of additional powdered sugar...the frosting is SWEET!
• I did not add coloring to my cake mix, I felt that the lime jello added enough of a lime green color and didn't want to add additional coloring.
• I used low fat cream cheese and butter, next time I will use applesauce in place of oil. Gotta cut calories everywhere possible...
• Since I love fruit and love anything key lime, these were a hit at our house (and Stephen's work!). The recipe has been added to my recipe box and will return summer after summer at our house, I'm sure!

Let me know if you take a stab at these, I would love to hear your stories and opinions.

Enjoy! :)