Cupcakes with Coffee - Summertime Calls for Key Lime

Ah, summer. 

The season where your thighs stick to chairs, your hair develops a personality of its own, and every social event involves sweating in places you didn’t know could sweat. But tucked inside the melting mess of summer? Tiny green gems of happiness: key limes.

Yes, while the sun is busy turning us into human pancakes, key limes are out here keeping things zesty and fresh. Tart, vibrant, unapologetically tangy—basically everything I aspire to be on a bad day. Key limes don’t pretend to be sweet, they don’t care about your heat-induced crankiness… they just show up, full flavor, no apologies.

WHAT ARE KEY LIMES? (web search...) 

Key limes are a unique variety of lime known for their smaller size, thinner rind, and more aromatic flavor compared to regular limes. They typically measure about 1 to 2.5 inches in diameter and are harvested primarily from June through September. These limes are valued for their tart and acidic flavor, making them a popular ingredient in dishes like Key lime pie. Although they are associated with the Florida Keys, Key limes are actually native to tropical Southeast Asia. They are best used fresh or after being briefly refrigerated.

THEREFORE...

Key lime pie? A summertime masterpiece. Key lime cocktails? Instant mood boost. Key lime cupcakes? Borderline medicinal.

It’s a good reminder: life gets sticky, sweaty, and maybe a little sour. So what? You have the power to make your own magic, even in the hottest, sweatiest, most overwhelming seasons. You don’t have to wait for cooler weather (however, for me, it can't cool down soon enough). Be your own burst of fresh energy right now.

So, cheers to summertime… and double cheers to key limes, for making the heat a little more bearable.

Now go grab a cupcake. Or two. No regrets. 

Let’s do it anyway.

Love, Kate

Now, onto cupcakes.

Cupcakes with Coffee Style:

Cupcakes are tiny acts of joy—soft, sweet reminders that life doesn’t have to be big or perfect to be worth celebrating. They’re the reward after a hard day (mid-day, if necessary), the comfort during a messy one, and pure bliss in edible form. Paired with a good cup of coffee, they’re not just dessert—they’re a moment of pause, a little cheer, and sometimes, the reason you keep going.

While not a true "coffee' drink, I think for this cupcake, a simple matcha latte is a good choice. This is Jeanine's recipe from Love & Lemons.

A little tidbit:

A matcha latte is a tea-based beverage made by whisking powdered green tea (matcha) with hot water and then combining it with milk or a non-dairy alternative. It is a caffeinated drink that tastes earthy and slightly sweet, with a creamy finish, and can be served hot or iced. The drink is essentially a tea-based alternative to a coffee latte, using steamed and frothed milk instead of espresso.

ENJOY!

Summer might be a hot mess, but key limes remind us to stay bold, bright, and a little zesty. You don’t have to love the heat—you just have to show up and make it delicious anyway.