This key lime frosting is a creamy buttercream frosting that's just sweet enough with the perfect tangy citrus flavour. It is beautiful, too, with flecks of lime zest visible throughout. You can use this delicious and versatile frosting on so many different kinds of cakes, cupcakes and cookies.
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I can't stand sickeningly sweet icings. This one is just a little bit sweet with the perfect tanginess. I was licking it off the spoon. It's so good! Something about key lime just screams summertime to me. I can definitely see myself using this frosting often.
I created this frosting to go with this tasty lemongrass cake, but like I said - it is so versatile. And for another deliciously infused frosting recipe, I recommend that you try this tasty frosting made with real, fresh cherries that is super popular for good reason.
Ingredients
- Key limes (zest and juice) - Key limes are the adorable, miniature version of the citrus we know and love. These limes are less tart and more aromatic than the Persian lime (standard grocery store variety). This makes them perfect for using in a frosting.
- Unsalted butter
- Pure vanilla extract - Use pure rather than artificial vanilla extract, if possible. The difference in flavour is quite noticeable.
- Salt
- Confectioner's sugar
- Milk
See the recipe card below for quantities.
Substitutions
Key limes - You could substitute key limes with regular limes in this recipe. However, keep in mind that regular limes are more tart and less aromatic than key limes.
Variations
You could modify this recipe to use with any kind of citrus! Lemon, lime, tangerine, mandarin orange, to name a few. You may find yourself needing more or less sugar depending on the tartness of the citrus you choose.
Instructions
Zest and juice your key limes. Always zest before juicing.
Using your stand mixer (or elbow engines), mix the butter, zest, salt, and vanilla extract together on medium speed until nice and creamy.
Alternately add and mix in the icing sugar and lime juice in the following order: ⅓ of the confectioner's sugar, ½ of the lime juice, ⅓ confectioner's sugar, ½ lime juice, ⅓ confectioner's sugar. Mix well between each addition.
Finally, mix in the milk. You can add more milk or confectioner's sugar to adjust the consistency if necessary.
What to use it with
This key lime frosting is very versatile and would be great to use on many different kinds of cakes, cupcakes, or cookies. I made it to pair with this lemongrass cake, however, here are some other flavours that it would go wonderfully with:
- Vanilla (like the cupcakes I photographed this frosting on)
- Lemon
- White chocolate
- Strawberry
- Raspberry
- Gooseberry
- Coconut
- Mango
- Sugar (i.e. sugar cookies)
Equipment
I used my Kitchenaid stand mixer with a paddle attachment to whip up this frosting. You can, however, also make this frosting using a hand mixer or by hand. It is also handy to have a microplane zester for all of your zesting needs.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. You can also freeze this frosting in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. I do find that using it fresh is the best way to enjoy the lovely key lime aromatics.
Whether freezing or refrigerating, set it out to bring it back to room temperature before using and beat it until it is creamy again. You can tweak the consistency with more milk if necessary.
Tip for Success
- Room temperature - Dairy should be room temperature for this recipe. Cold ingredients simply won't combine properly, resulting in uneven lumps. Set them out an hour or two before you start.
- Stand mixer attachment - If you make this recipe using a stand mixer, make sure to use a paddle attachment and not a whisk. The whisk will cause air bubbles.
- Consistency - Adjust the consistency of the frosting with more milk or confectioner's sugar. If the frosting is too thin, mix in tiny amounts of sugar until you have reached your desired consistency. If it is too thin, do the same with milk.
📖 Recipe
Key Lime Frosting
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
- Category: Frosting
- Cuisine: American
Description
This delicious and versatile key lime frosting is a creamy buttercream frosting that's just sweet enough with the perfect tangy citrus flavour.
Ingredients
1 cup (227g) unsalted butter
2 teaspoons key lime zest
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
⅛ teaspoon salt
3 ½ cups (438g) confectioner's sugar
¼ cup (59ml) key lime juice
1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
Zest and juice your key limes. Always zest before juicing.
Using your stand mixer (or elbow engines), mix the butter, zest, salt, and vanilla extract together on medium speed until nice and creamy.
Alternately add and mix in the icing sugar and lime juice in the following order: ⅓ of the confectioner's sugar, ½ of the lime juice, ⅓ confectioner's sugar, ½ lime juice, ⅓ confectioner's sugar. Mix well between each addition.
Finally, mix in the milk. You can add more milk or confectioner's sugar to adjust the consistency if necessary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 275
- Sugar: 34.5 g
- Sodium: 27.7 mg
- Fat: 15.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 35.5 g
- Protein: 0.2 g
- Cholesterol: 40.7 mg
Keywords: key lime frosting
Lily says
used it on a cake this weekend and everyone raved about it! Definitely making again - thank you!
Asha says
Thanks so much, I'm glad everyone loved it! 🥰
Bernice says
I'm the same as you, I am not a fan of super sweet frosting but love a little bit of zest in everything. I love how you point out to zest before juicing... I know it's obvious but as someone who forgot to do this ONE TIME, it's a hard lesson to learn. I can just imagine how great this frosting tastes on your lemongrass cake!
Asha says
Thank you 💕 Yes I agree, zesting a deflated lime is not my idea of a good time haha.
Marie-Pierre Breton says
I love lime so much, and these look sensational! Smooth, delicate and fluffy, just like we want a perfect cupcake! Lovely recipe!
Asha says
Thanks so much! Appreciate it.
nancy says
i love this perfectly balanced key lime frosting! It is perfect for my cakes and dessert needs. So tasty
Asha says
Thank you, I'm so glad that you enjoy using it!
Sangeetha says
This key lime frosting sounds absolutely divine! I love the combination of sweet and tangy, and the flecks of lime zest throughout the frosting add such a beautiful touch. I can just imagine how delicious this frosting would taste on a light and fluffy vanilla cupcake or a zesty lemon cake.
Asha says
Thanks! I photographed it on some vanilla cupcakes and I can tell you they did not last for long lol.