So St. Patrick's Day is just a few weeks away.  I'm thinking of something delicious that I can make to celebrate. You know there's always a motive to celebrate!  Of course everything for St. Patty needs to be green!  As usual, I think of things that are tropical (it must be because I'm a native Miamian).  The first thing that comes to mind is KEY LIME!!!! MMMMM!  That can be green, it's cool, tropical and definitely, DELICIOUS!

2 1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 sticks unsalted butter
2 cups sugar
5 large eggs
1  teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cups evaporated milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).  Line 12 cup muffin tins with liners
In medium bowl whisk together, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.  Set aside
Using hand mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.  Add eggs one at a time until just combined.  Add vanilla extract.  Add evaporated milk and dry ingredients, being careful not to over mix.

Fill muffin tins.  Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until golden brown and center of knife comes out clean.  Remove from oven and let cool.  Once cool make an X in the middle of each cupcake with a knife.  Pour a bit of the icing let sit for 20/30 seconds to make sure it's absorbed and then frost.

Key Lime Filling & Frosting
2 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup of soft butter
2 or 3 teaspoons of 2% milk
Zest of 1 Key Lime
1 Tablespoon of Key Lime Juice
2 drops of green food coloring

Combine the confectioners' sugar and the softened butter.  Blend well.
Adding 1 teaspoon at a time, beat in 3 or more teaspoons of milk
Add Key Lime zest and juice and fold into the icing