Thursday, July 8, 2010

Pineapple Cupcakes with Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing

It all started with some leftover key limes from a tablescape.  I dig around in the cabinets and find a can of pineapple and in the fridge a package of unused cream cheese.  I think cupcakes would be really good.   I checked a few websites in my search engine and the ingredients matched up to these two recipes on http://www.wilton.com/.   Somehow spur of the moment is a really nice surprise when it turns out this tasty.  The cupcakes are very similar to Pineapple Upside Down Cake.  They have chunks of pineapple and it is a very moist cake.  The Key Lime Icing is amazing with the tart lime blended into the cream cheese, and to really bring out a tropical flavor I added 1 tsp. of coconut flavoring.  If you have a summer birthday, these cupcakes are looking for a party!
Pineapple Cupcakes
Ingredients:
2 cups of all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup vegetable oil (I was out of oil so I used butter.)
3/4 cup buttermilk ( You know how to create buttermilk w/o going to the store?  Measure   
                                    out regular milk and put two tbsp of white vinegar in it.)
3 eggs
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 can (8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
1 cup of pecans (chopped), optional
Serves: 18 standard cupcakes

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  In medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt.  In a separate bowl, whisk together oil (or melted butter), buttermilk, and vanilla.  Stir in sugar, pineapple, and if desired, nuts.  Add flour mixture; mix well.  Pour into prepared pan.
Bake 20-25 min. or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.  Cool 10 min. in pan on rack; then remove and cool completely then decorate.

Key Lime Cream Cheese Icing
Ingredients:
8 tbsp (1 stick) unsalted butter softened
8 ounces of cream cheese softened
2 tbsp key lime juice
1 tsp key lime zest
4-5 cups confectioner's sugar
* I added to this- 1 tsp imitation coconut flavoring.  (Makes a huge difference in flavor.) 
Makes: 3 cups.

In a large bowl, cream butter, cream cheese, juice, and zest with electric mixer until light and fluffy. ( I also added here my 1 tsp of imitation coconut flavoring.)  Add 4 cups confectioners' sugar 1 cup at a time; continue beating until light and fluffy.  If icing is too thin add additional confectioners' sugar 1 tbsp at a time until desired consistency is reached.
I will join Michael Lee for Foodie Friday at her site Designs by Gollum.  Please go over and check out all the great recipes everyone is cooking up.

19 comments:

Slice of Pie said...

Sherry, Tell me about your connection to Southern Illinois! Do you still live here??

Joyce said...

If I had the ingredients in the house I would make these right now. Two great flavors. Thanks for sharing. I bet they are super moist too.

SavoringTime in the Kitchen said...

I think you came up with a winner! They look and sound delicious.

Jane said...

Lime frosting...YUMMY!!! I love anything with LIME.

Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Jane (artfully graced)

Shirley said...

I had to click on your post immediately because the name almost made my mouth water!! Looks so good, I'm copying this recipe!

The Charm of Home said...

Thank you everyone for commenting. It has been a challenge lately to get comments to work! Testing this one out. Please feel free to email if comments are giving you trouble on this blog. I read everyone and appreciate them very much!
Sherry

Kristal said...

These are definitely something I will be trying soon!

~♥~
Kristal

Melodie said...

Reading delicious sounding dessert recipes is really bad for my sweet tooth at night! My mouth is seriously watering! I invite you to join my Vegetarian Foodie Fridays carnival too if you'd like. Desserts are always welcome!
Melodie @ Breastfeeding Moms Unite. com

Lynn said...

The cupcakes look and sound like a winner!
When I have trouble with comments I clear my computer's cache, it really does help. Google "clearing cache" it's easy to do. Hope that helps!

bj said...

OMGosh, these look and sound so so good. I am going to copy this recipe and make them for our very next family time. Thanks so much for this recipe.
And...thanks for coming by today. :)
xo bj

Tracy F. said...

These sound incredible! I can't wait to make some.

Melissa Miller said...

Sherry they could not sound anymore delicious. Yum-O! *Smiles*

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Oh, wow! These look absolutely amazing!!! FABULOUS!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Catharina Maria said...

Wish you a happy pink Saturday !
It looks yummy !
Love from ♥RINI♥

Debbie said...

YUM! my mouth is watering thinking about that lime frosting! These are great for summer, or anytime.
Thank you for sharing the recipes.
Debbie@houseatthelake

PAT said...

Delicious!!

I love your banner photo.

Happy weekend!

Confessions of a Plate Addict said...

Hi Sherry! Now these look yummy! I took a peek at your midnight garden...lovely! Happy weekend!...hugs...Debbie

Kimberly said...

What a yummy share. I am going to have to try this. Thank you for sharing!

Heaven's Walk said...

Sherry - those cupcakes look and sound so yummy, especially that key lime frosting! Makes me ache for Florida! Thanks for sharing that recipe. I'm off to the kitchen now.....

xoxo laurie@heavens-walk