Cherry Lime Cupcakes

Cherry lime cupcakes are a fun and delicious summer treat! Moist cherry cupcakes made with maraschino cherries, swirled with sweet and tangy lime buttercream frosting, and topped with a cherry and lime slice! Perfect summer recipe that tastes like cherry limeade!

Ingredients for Cherry Lime Cupcakes

Cherry Cupcakes

• All-purpose flour – Be sure to fluffy the flour and level the measuring cups.
• Granulated sugar – For sweetness.
• Baking powder – Leavening agent to help the cupcakes rise.
• Salt – To enhance the flavor of the cupcakes and contrast the sweetness.
• Milk – Room temperature.
• Vegetable oil – You can also use canola oil.
• Egg – Large egg. Room temperature.
• Sour cream – Room temperature.
• Vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract adds great flavor.
• Maraschino cherry juice – The liquid from a jar of maraschino cherries.
• Maraschino cherries – Chopped into small pieces.
• Red gel food coloring – Optional, but a drop of red gel food coloring gives the cupcakes a bright, vibrant red color.

Lime Buttercream Frosting

• Unsalted butter – Room temperature.
• Powdered sugar – No need to sift unless it is lumpy.
• Lime zest – Use a zester or fine grater to get fresh lime zest for great lime flavor.
• Lime juice – Fresh is best! You will need about 3 to 4 limes.
• Salt – A pinch of salt contrasts the sweetness of the buttercream.
• Heavy cream – A splash of heavy cream helps the buttercream whip up and be silky smooth
• Green/yellow gel food coloring – This is optional, but a drop of green and yellow gel food coloring adds a pop of color to the buttercream.

Garnish

• Maraschino cherries – Be sure to drain the cherries before adding to the cupcakes.
• Lime slices – Thinly sliced. Add 1/4 or 1/2 of a lime slice to each cupcake.

How to Make Cherry Cupcakes

Cherry cupcakes are easy to make and only requires a mixing bowl and a whisk! The batter comes together in just a few minutes!

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F & line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. Whisk together all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add in milk, egg, vegetable oil, sour cream, vanilla extract, and maraschino cherry juice to the flour mixture.
4. Whisk the dry and wet ingredients together until combined and smooth. Add a few drops of red food coloring, if desired. Do not overmix.
5. Fold in chopped maraschino cherries.
6. Divide batter into cupcake liners using a large cookie scoop, 3/4 full.
7. Bake for approximately 20 minutes until the cupcakes bounce back when gently touched.
8. Cool in the pan for 5 minutes and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

How to Make Lime Buttercream Frosting

Lime buttercream frosting is incredibly easy to make. I recommend using a stand mixer. You can use a whisk or paddle attachment depending upon your preferences. You can also use an electric hand mixer.

1. Whip the room temperature butter until light, fluffy, and pale in color.
2. Add powdered sugar and mix on low speed until combined.
3. Add in lime zest, fresh lime juice, and salt, mixing on low speed.
4. Drizzle in the heavy cream and continue to mix on low until combined. Add a drop of green and yellow gel food coloring, if desired.
5. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and whip the buttercream for about 3 minutes.