Key lime buttercream frosting is the perfect addition to elevate any dessert, bringing a refreshing and tangy twist that’s hard to resist. With just a few simple ingredients and a few minutes of your time, you can create a deliciously fluffy frosting that will impress your family and friends.
Easy Recipe for Key Lime Buttercream
Don’t let the thought of making homemade frosting intimidate you; in fact, if you have a mixer, you can have delicious key lime frosting ready in just a few minutes. Fortunately, it requires no special skills to create. However, it’s important to remember that you’ll need to set the butter out of the refrigerator to soften about an hour before you plan to use it. This is crucial because softened butter whips up easily, resulting in a fluffy frosting that you’ll love.
Tangy Key Lime Buttercream Frosting
This key lime buttercream is not only tangy but also bursting with Key Lime flavor. Additionally, it pairs wonderfully with a vanilla cake or cupcakes, allowing the lime flavor to take center stage. Notably, this recipe yields enough frosting for an extra-thick 8- or 9-inch cake layer. If you want to frost a cake with 2 or 3 layers, simply double the recipe for the perfect amount.
Put Lime Zest in Lime Buttercream Frosting
Grate a lime with a small hand-held grater or microplane to make lime zest. Be careful not to grate into the white lime pith because it has a bitter taste. The lime pith is the white spongy layer underneath the green exterior. To avoid it, use a light hand when grating the lime.
Key Limes versus Regular Persian Limes
You can use either key lime or regular lime juice for this recipe, but always use fresh juice for the best taste. However, there is a difference between key limes and regular (Persian) limes.
Key Limes
Key limes are smaller than Persian limes, typically about the size of a golf ball, and have a thinner skin that turns yellow when ripe. They are known for their pleasing tart flavor, making them ideal for desserts like Key lime pie and buttercream frosting.
Persian Limes
In contrast, Persian limes are larger than key limes and have a thicker, green skin. Also, they are juicier and more widely available. As a result, they are more commonly used in a variety of dishes and drinks.
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Key Lime Buttercream
Equipment
- mixer
- microplane
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- 1 lime zested
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 16 ounces (about 3 1/2 cups) powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons fresh key lime or regular lime juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons whole milk or cream
- sliced lime for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Beat the butter, 3/4 of the lime zest, vanilla, and salt until creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with key lime juice and milk until all the sugar and liquids are added. Beat until creamy and fluffy. Add additional milk if necessary to thin to the desired consistency.
- Frost the cake and then garnish with lime slices. Sprinkle the remaining lime zest over the top.