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¢â¬â„¢ 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.
Elly says
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.
Casey says
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.
sarah says
this look amazing! just adding them to my list of things to bake!
Meeta says
Oh sooo good! I can imagine the tangy flavors!
Baking Soda says
Adorable, I like anything lime, these must taste awesome!
Amy says
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. 🙂
Katie says
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 🙂
Laurie says
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!
Emily says
I always read your blog first thing in the morning. It is usually then that I need to smile. Love the cupcakes!
lynn says
Beautiful! I love the tender crumb in the cupcakes. Kudos on perseverance!
Deborah says
I love the sprinkling of the graham crackers – they are so pretty! I love key limes – this sounds like quite a treat!
Anita says
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!
Tartelette says
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!
Kelly-Jane says
Beautiful cakes, you got there! Don’t drink cream from buckets :)!
johanna says
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!
Lydia says
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.
Scott at Realepicurean says
Looks cute. A very nice alternative to cupcakes!
Kristen says
What a wonderful testament for “try, try again.” I had never heard the frog story. Makes me leary of drinking cream 🙂
Steamy Kitchen says
YUM! I’ve lived in FL for 5 years but have never made Key Lime Pie. Maybe I should start with this recipe!
Indigo says
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?)
T.W. Barritt says
Brilliant creation! Keep jumping!
brilynn says
Your teacher mind is just in overdrive come September eh? The cupcakes look great!
veron says
Oh I prefer the first lesson! Good things come to those who preservere. and what sinful looking cupcakes!
Steph says
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!
Lisa says
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
Tanna says
This is brilliant! I love the story (no more cream from a bucket for me) and the cupcake!
aria says
oy boy oh boy, i have to try the cake recipe sounds and looks fantastic!
Deborah says
I made these for my office and they were a huge hit!!!
Ashley says
Wow how did I miss you posting these?? Yum!
Stef says
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.
Gretchen Noelle says
Peabody, how many regular sized cupcakes does this recipe make? Thanks!
Angellia says
These are amazing! I’ve made them twice, and everyone loves them. There are never left-overs. Ever. Thanks for the recipe!
Kathy C. says
I am curious about how long you can leave these out at room temp (due to the nature of the filling). I’m ready to make them now! 🙂
Peabody says
Usually if I make anything with cream cheese frosting I will refrigerate them if I am going to not serve them that day.
Jan Marrie says
Yummie Yummie, They remind us of those key lime pies that Anita and Kutchie Pelaez bake at their KLP factory in North Carolina near the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. A genuine husband and wife working team. You aught to see them working hand in hand, happily together producing all their pies.
You should pay them a visit sometime, you’ll enjoy it very much.
Jan Marrie
Sherry Ann says
Honey those cupcakes look divine. If it has anything to do with key limes then you can count me in. That’s for sure, I just can’t get enough. I grew-up in Key West and lived there until I was married in 1976, then we moved to where my husband was employed at the time, which was in South Carolina. While living in the upstate we took a road trip up to Asheville in the mountains to visit the Biltmore House. That place was so old it gave use the Creeps. It grosses me out to think that people could try to live so extravagantly like that. And that was 100 years ago! So many needy people in the world it’s a disgrace to the human race! Then or now. I bet that house has a lot of ghosts hanging around.
Let me tell you the best part of our trip to Asheville. It was when we stopped by a very nice and friendly place named “Anita and Kutchie’s key lime pie factory.”..Let me tell you I grew-up in Key West and spent a lot of time there and the other Keys as well as Miami and South Florida. That “Anita Pelaez” and her husband bake the best key lime pies that we have ever eaten in our lives.
Anita wouldn’t give me her recipe, I can understand that but I did try to get it.
Well we live in Virginia now and still miss The Keys and Key West but you have to be rich to live there now. I’m so sorry for going on and on but that’s just me. What I wanted to let you know is that as soon as my Doctor tells me that I can get around the house again, I’m going to bake some of your wonderful cup-cakes. That will be the first on my list, I can’t wait!
Thank you for sharing, …..love…..Sherry Ann