Lime Soda Cupcakes!

Sweet lime cupcakes topped with a swirl of marshmallow buttercream.
A perfect flavor combination!

A while back, I shared with you an impossibly difficult (but amazingly yummy!) candy recipe from my friend Gail.  It was a recipe for Opera Creams passed down to her from her grandmother.  We spent the entire day together, candy making. For lunch we ran up to a little soda fountain from the 50s that is still in business. (Arnolds Drive In, for you folks that live near Indiana)  They have burgers and fries— and yummy soda fountain drinks.  Gail recommended the “Ole Green River” and I got the most wonderful lime phosphate topped with marshmallow cream.  It was beautiful and as that marshmallow dissolved into the drink…?  Unbelievably good.  Here’s my Instagram record of it:

I’m not sure what brought it to mind the other day, but I decided to use those flavors to create a cupcake version of that yummy Ole Green River.  I think they turned out great.  Nice and green for St. Patricks Day!!!

Here’s the recipe: (printable version)

INGREDIENTS (makes 24 cupcakes)

• One boxed white cake mix, plus oil, water and eggs to make according to box.
• One small packet of Lime Jell-O.
• 4 sticks of salted butter (at room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons of clear vanilla
• 3 cups of powdered sugar
• 2 jars (7 oz. each) of Jet-puffed marshmallow creme
• White food coloring (optional- only if you want that bright white marshmallow color.)
• Sprinkles and decorations as desired.

DIRECTIONS:

• Make cake mix according to box, but add Jell-O along with other ingredients.
• Divide batter evenly into 24 cupcake liners in muffin tins.
• Bake according to box, a toothpick inserted into the center of one should come out clean.
• Allow cupcakes to cool while you prepare frosting.
• Combine (room temperature) butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat on low until combined.
• Beat on high for several minutes until light and fluffy.
• (optional) add white food coloring at this point, to whiten up all that butter- I did not have any, so you can see my icing is more of an ivory color.
• Add marshmallow creme to frosting and beat until completely incorporated.
• Spoon frosting into a large zip top bag that has been fitted with a decorating tip, and pipe frosting over cupcakes.
• Decorate as desired (paper straws are fun!!!!!!)
• Enjoy!

My thoughts: I really loved these flavors together.  Marshmallow and lime.  So yummy.  The cupcakes are very moist because of the Jell-O, so take care unwrapping them, they are a little more likely to fall apart than other cupcakes.  I experimented with the marshmallow butter cream, just adding the fluff to my usual buttercream recipe, and I thought it was fabulous.  The marshmallow flavor was not lost!  I hope you enjoy these little treats, and if you’re ever near a soda shop that has lime phosphates on the menu, ask for one with marshmallow cream on the top!  Enjoy!  ~r

Other fun St. Patrick’s Day treats you might want to try: