Cherry Limeade Cupcakes

Ingredients

  • 1 box white cake mix
  • 3 egg whites
  • 1 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 small pkg sugar free/fat free lime gelatin mix
  • 1/2 cup thawed lime juice concentrate
  • Zest of one lime
  • 1 jar of maraschino cherries, drained (reserve 3 tsp liquid)
  • Cherry buttercream (recipe and ingredients follow)

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Line 2 muffin pans with 24 paper liners. In a large bowl, beat together cake mix, egg whites, water, and unsweetened applesauce until blended, about 2 minutes. Beat in lime gelatin powder, zest and concentrate until well mixed and until you get a nice lime flavor (test it with your finger). If you want a milder lime flavor, add more concentrate. Portion evenly into muffin cups and bake, approximately 15-17 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely.

Cherry Buttercream

2/3 cup butter, softened
3 tsp maraschino cherry juice
2 tsp milk
4 cups powdered sugar

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter and cherry juice until creamy. Gradually add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until a stiff but spreadable consistency is reached. If too stiff, add one teaspoon of milk at a time. Pipe or spread onto cooled lime cupcakes. Sprinkle with light pink sugar, if desired, and top with a maraschino cherry.