MF: 12 servings made 12 cupcakes. Made these for Janes dinner with her son and fellow cops. Good. For lemon substitute lemon for lime. Try lemon simple syrup drizzle before frosting.

Preheat the oven to 325? F. Line two cupcake pans with paper liners. Cupcakes: In a medium bowl whisk flour, baking powder and salt. In stand mixer with the paddle, cream butter and sugar on med-high speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Blend in the eggs one at a time. Beat in the lime zest, lime juice and vanilla. On low speed, mix in the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Beat each addition just until incorporated. Divide the batter among cupcake liners, about 3/4 full. Bake 20-24 minutes. Let cool in the pan 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack. If desired, brush the cooled cakes with tequila. Frosting: Combine sugar, egg whites, and salt in bowl set over a pot of simmering water whisking frequently, until the mixture reaches 160° F and sugar dissolved. Transfer to stand mixer bowl with whisk. Beat on med-high until stiff peaks form and cooled to room temperature, about 8 min. Reduce speed to medium and add butter, 2 tablespoons at a time, once each addition has been incorporated. If looks soupy, keep beating until thick and smooth again, 3-5 minutes more. Add lime juice and tequila and mix until fully smooth. Keep at room temperature if using same day, or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month. Before using, bring to room temp and beat with paddle attachment on low speed until smooth again, about 5 minutes. Frost the cooled cupcakes with the buttercream. Garnish with lime zest or lime salt and lime slices as desired.

Lime Salt: In a small bowl, combine sea salt with lime juice and zest. Spread out on a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in low 200F oven for 15-20 minutes. It should not brown but appear dry. Let cool. Break up larger pieces that may have clumped together. Store in air-tight containers.