Basil Lime Cupcakes

These cupcakes were meant to be green - for a friend's birthday which falls on St. Patrick's day although he has nothing to do with being Irish whatsoever. Oh well. I tried my best. They didn't look as green as I had hoped for but they had interesting flavor combination. Interesting. I didn't love it. I used a quarter cup of basil but I felt like I still didn't get enough of basil scent. Maybe I need to seep it in vodka or some kind of fat first? Anyhow, these are good lime cupcakes with something weird mixed in. Here's the recipe:



Ingredients

• 1 stick butter at room temperature


• 1 cup sugar


• 2 eggs


• 1/4 cup fresh basil - finely chopped


• Juice 2 limes


• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour


• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder


• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda


• 1/4 teaspoon salt


• 1/2 cup yogurt or buttermilk

Frosting

• 1/2 package cream cheese - at room temperature


• 1/2 stick butter - at room temperature


• 1 cup confectioner sugar


• Zest from 2 limes

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.


2. With an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together until fluffy - about 2 to 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time. Beat well between each addition. Add lime zest and chopped basil.


3. In a separate bowl, combine flour, salt, baking powder and baking soda.


4. Alternately stir in flour mixture and buttermilk to the butter in 3 batches. Stir until just combined.


5. Spoon into lined muffin pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes. Let cool completely before frosting. Make 18 cupcakes.


6. To make the frosting, beat everything together with a clean mixer and wire attachment until fluffy.