Back to the drawing board…
When you are a teacher there are all sorts of inspirational stories they throw your way. The two frogs one has been told in many forms, but this is the one I always used:
There were once two frogs. These two frogs were very good friends but in being so they were very competitive. One day they decided to have a jumping contest to see who could jump the farthest over the fence. The first frog went first, clearing the fence but landing in a bucket of cream. Unable to tell his friend not to jump, the second frog jumped and found himself in the same situation.
So there they were, two frogs in a bucket of cream. Both tried to jump to freedom, but the sides of the bucket were steep and no foundation was to be had on the surface of the liquid.
Seeing little chance of escape, the first frog soon despaired and stopped jumping. After a short while he sunk to the bottom of the bucket and drowned.
The second frog also saw no likelihood of success, but he never stopped trying. Even though each jump seemed to reach the same inadequate height, he kept on struggling. Eventually, his persistent efforts churned some cream into butter. From the now hardened surface of the cream, he managed to leap out of the bucket.
These cupcakes were my frogs. When first I decided to try these I attempted to bake the key lime pie into the middle of the cupcake. That so did not work and left me over cooked cupcakes with goo in the middle. Back the the drawing board. I partially baked the second batch and midway threw tried to add the filling. Again no go. Determined to figure out something, I ended up settling on making a “no bake” version for the center of the cupcake. Because I chose to do mini cupcakes I had to pipe my filling in, but if you make the larger version you can either pipe or use the cone method. These were sweet and tangy and tasty. If you don’t want to make the filling you could just add more lime juice to your cream cheese frosting.
So what did we learn:
Those who don’t give up and persevere may be in for a pleasant surprise! Or…don’t drink cream out of buckets…there might be a dead frog in there.
Key Lime Pie Cupcakes
Mom’s Favorite White Cake
2-1/4 cups cake flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1-1/2 cups sugar
4 egg whites
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup milk
zest of 6 key limes or 1 large lime
Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour cupcake pans(or use liners).
Combine flour, baking powder and salt in medium bowl; set aside.
Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg whites, two at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla; beat until blended. Add lime zest. With electric mixer at low speed, add flour mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Pour batter evenly into prepared pan.
3.Bake 20-22 minutes(for full size cupcakes) and 15 minutes(for mini) or until wooden toothpick inserted into centers comes out clean. Cool cupcakes in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan and allow to cool completely on rack.
Source: Adapted from the Editors of Easy Home Cooking Magazine
Key Lime Pie “Filling”
6 oz cream cheese softened
5 oz key lime juice
7 oz sweetened condensed milk
Place all ingredients in a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Mix on low for 30 seconds. Increase speed to medium and blend for 2 minutes. Place in a seperate bowl and place in fridge for 2 hours.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/4 cup butter
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
1 pound confectioners’ sugar, sifted
2 TBSp key lime juice
PREPARATION:
Directions for cream cheese frosting
Combine all ingredients in large mixing bowl; beat well until smooth. Makes enough cream cheese frosting for 24 cupcakes.
To assemble:
Take key lime pie filling and place into a pastry bag fitted with a small tip. Take tip and place into cupcake squeeze filling into cupcake. If you make large cupcakes, use the cone method.
Frost cupcake and sprinkle with crushed graham crackers.
This is my entry for new cupcake monthly event called Cupcake Hero started by one of the Daring Bakers over at the Quirky Cupcake. This month’s theme is lime. If you would like to learn more then head on over there.
33 Responses
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September 6th, 2007 at 8:44 pm
these.look.amazing. I wish I could make these but I am pretty sure I would eat the whole batch in 2 nights. My dad would especially love these, as he likes key lime anything so I will have to try making them for him.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:22 pm
These look simply fabulous. If you visit San Francisco, be sure to try the cupcakes at Citizen Cake (or at their little outpost in the Virgin music store: Citizen Cupcake)–they usually have lovely — and sometime surprising –fillings.
September 6th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
this look amazing! just adding them to my list of things to bake!
September 6th, 2007 at 10:46 pm
Oh sooo good! I can imagine the tangy flavors!
September 6th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
Adorable, I like anything lime, these must taste awesome!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:04 am
The problem with mini cupcakes is that I pop one after another in my mouth and before I know it, the whole dozen is gone. Hehehe but I’m not complaining, I want to eat the filling and frosting with a spoon.
September 7th, 2007 at 12:36 am
That is so true - you should never give up no matter how hopeless a situation looks (and i’m not just talking about baking either). Your little story made me smile and your cupackes look delicious. A sweet reward after your hardwork
September 7th, 2007 at 6:52 am
They look so damn good! If I had any limes in the house, I would try to recreate right now! Im rethinking chocolate cake for my brothers birthday next week. He may get these cupcakes! And thanks for entering Cupcake Hero, your my VERY first entry, I couldnt be more thrilled!
September 7th, 2007 at 7:26 am
I always read your blog first thing in the morning. It is usually then that I need to smile. Love the cupcakes!
September 7th, 2007 at 7:39 am
Beautiful! I love the tender crumb in the cupcakes. Kudos on perseverance!
September 7th, 2007 at 8:03 am
I love the sprinkling of the graham crackers - they are so pretty! I love key limes - this sounds like quite a treat!
September 7th, 2007 at 9:23 am
Peabody,
I am loving your stories:) I think these were worth the effort, they look so utterly tempting. I am wanting to reach through my screen right now!
September 7th, 2007 at 11:47 am
I was just thinking of something alone those lines. Beautiful creation! I have the feeling you kinda sorta somewhere in there miss teaching…but I could be way off….
Gorgeous!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Beautiful cakes, you got there! Don’t drink cream from buckets :)!
September 7th, 2007 at 12:38 pm
these look divine. i’ve never even had key lime pie (i know, i know, i am an ignorant european girl), but i sooo crave this now - thanks for experimenting for me, this will have a firm place at the next afternoon tea i am giving!
September 8th, 2007 at 3:19 am
I love the key lime flavor — it helps to cut the sweetness, and I don’t like cupcakes that are super-sweet. Will definitely bookmark this recipe. And will definitely stay out of tubs of cream, just in case there’s a frog lurking at the bottom.
September 8th, 2007 at 12:14 pm
Looks cute. A very nice alternative to cupcakes!
September 8th, 2007 at 8:17 pm
What a wonderful testament for “try, try again.” I had never heard the frog story. Makes me leary of drinking cream
September 8th, 2007 at 10:03 pm
YUM! I’ve lived in FL for 5 years but have never made Key Lime Pie. Maybe I should start with this recipe!
September 9th, 2007 at 4:07 am
Am I the only person to find that story slightly morbid? I’m going to have nightmares about frogs drowning in cream now.
Fortunately I will have cupcakes to calm my nerves. Every cloud has a silver lining. (…I don’t suppose you have a story about that, do you?)
September 9th, 2007 at 4:30 am
Brilliant creation! Keep jumping!
September 9th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Your teacher mind is just in overdrive come September eh? The cupcakes look great!
September 9th, 2007 at 3:41 pm
Oh I prefer the first lesson! Good things come to those who preservere. and what sinful looking cupcakes!
September 9th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
oh poor frogs…but yummy cupcakes! i was thinking of doing a key lime thingy for that event too, but i have a runner up i may consider instead. these do look great!
September 10th, 2007 at 3:52 am
I love key lime - in all forms! I use the juice in my iced tea instead of lemon.. fabulous. =) Key lime pie is my oldest favorite dessert.. my mom would always share a slice with me when we went to Key West every winter when I was a child.. YUM! These sound perfect and I love the idea of the surprise in the middle.. excellent perseverance, Gracie!
xoxo
September 10th, 2007 at 5:30 am
This is brilliant! I love the story (no more cream from a bucket for me) and the cupcake!
September 10th, 2007 at 6:53 pm
[…] Peabody wows us yet again with another decadent looking treat… Key Lime Pie Cupcakes. They look so sweet and tangy, and well just simply decadent. She also whipped up a Roasted Corn Soup for her entry to this year’s Super Soup Challenge. Like everything else on Peabody’s blog…they both look fabulous! […]
September 10th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
oy boy oh boy, i have to try the cake recipe sounds and looks fantastic!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:06 am
I made these for my office and they were a huge hit!!!
September 24th, 2007 at 8:07 am
Wow how did I miss you posting these?? Yum!
October 2nd, 2007 at 8:47 pm
[…] Culinary Concoctions by Peabody baked a Key Lime Pie Cupcake. I would call the key lime a very sneaky lime. As I could not find a key lime to spare in all of Pittsburgh. And boy, oh boy, did I want to make these suckers! I will make them, I will!!! Thanks Peabody! […]
October 3rd, 2007 at 8:33 am
These look awesome! I love key lime pie. I actually just had a key lime pie ice cream that was amazing. I am going to have to try the cupcake version at some point.
February 21st, 2008 at 4:12 am
Peabody, how many regular sized cupcakes does this recipe make? Thanks!