Lime-Coconut Cupcakes

Light, flavourful and perfectly coconuty.  Thank you My Baking Addiction

2 cups sugar
zest of 3 limes
3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
6 eggs at room temperature
1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup buttermilk
7 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

Frosting:
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
zest of two limes
1 1/2 pounds confectioners’ sugar, sifted

Garnish:
7 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut; lightly toasted

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a cupcake tin with paper liners.
• In a medium bowl, combine the sugar and lime zest and mix together with your fingertips until the sugar is moistened and fragrant.
• Cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. 
• With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, taking care to scrape the bowl. 
• Add the vanilla and mix until well combined.
• In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. 
• In 3 alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. 
• Fold in 7 ounces (half) of the shredded coconut.
• Fill each prepared cupcake liner to the top with batter. 
• Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. 
• Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. 
• Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.
• While the cupcakes are cooling, prepare the frosting.
• Cream together the cream cheese, butter, vanilla and lime zest until well combined. 
• Slowly add the confectioners’ sugar and mix until smooth. 
• If frosting is too thin, gradually add in a little more confectioners’ sugar until you reach the desired texture.
• Frost the cupcakes and finish with a sprinkling of lightly toasted coconut.

*Lemon zest can easily be swapped for the lime zest.