Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

    Yesterday was my dad's birthday! I made some yummy cupcakes to celebrate. These aren't just any cupcakes though. They are stuffed with a tangy key lime vanilla custard! They are topped with a key lime buttercream! They definitely pack a punch. It's like a cupcake ate a key lime pie!

Key Lime Pie Cupcakes

Ingredients:

- 1 box of white cake mix, plus ingredients for mix

- 1/4 cup of key lime juice

- 3 teaspoons of key lime zest

For the filling:

- 1 cup of whipping cream

- 1/4 cup of key lime juice

- 1 package of vanilla pudding mix

- 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar

- 2 tablespoons of milk

- 1 tablespoon of key lime zest

For the buttercream:

- 1 cup of butter

- 6 tablespoons of lime juice

- 1 drop of green food color

- 6 cups of powdered sugar

- 1 tablespoon of key lime zest

    Bake cupcakes as directed on the package, replacing 1/4 cup of the water with the lime juice and adding the zest. Once cupcakes are cooled, core them and set aside. While they are cooling, start the filling by whipping the whipping cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks are achieved. Then, mix in the lime juice, vanilla pudding mix, powdered sugar, milk, and lime zest. Chill for a few minutes while you make your frosting. To make the buttercream frosting, beat the butter alone until smooth. Add the lime juice and food color, mix until creamy. Beat in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time and then, mix in the zest. Put the filling into a pastry bag and fill each cupcake liberally with the filling. Pipe the frosting on top, chill, and serve.