Margarita Cupcakes are a delicious dessert that takes the classic flavors of a margarita cocktail and turns them into a sweet treat. These cupcakes typically feature a lime and tequila infused cake topped with a tequila-lime buttercream frosting and a sprinkle of salt for that perfect balance of sweet and salty.
If you love the sweet, tangy flavors of a margarita cocktail, then you need to try Margarita Cupcakes! These boozy treats take all the classic flavors of a margarita and turn them into a delicious dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
I love to make cupcakes; however, don’t make them often. My go-to cupcake recipes are typically my cookie dough cupcakes, cookies and cream cupcakes, or even my white cupcakes. I typically only make Margarita Cupcakes for the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo and maybe once in the summer months.
I brought these to a friends house the other day since I knew there was going to be a large group. I received compliment after compliment all night long. To say they were a hit, was an understatement. If you are looking to wow friends and family you need to make these Margarita Cupcakes!
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Why this Recipe Works
They’re Sweet and Tangy – Margarita Cupcakes are the perfect balance of sweet and tangy. The cake is infused with fresh lime juice and brushed with tequila on top, giving it a delicious citrusy flavor with just a hint of tequila. The frosting is also spiked with tequila and lime, making it the perfect complement to the cake. And let’s not forget you can always sprinkle a little salt on top, which adds just the right amount of savory flavor to balance out the sweetness. These cupcakes taste similiar to my lemon-lime mini muffins.
They’re Perfect for Parties – If you’re looking for a fun and unique dessert to serve at your next party, Margarita Cupcakes are the way to go. They’re sure to be a hit with your guests, and they’re easy to make in large batches. Plus, since they’re already portioned out into individual cupcakes, they’re perfect for serving at parties where people are mingling and don’t want to sit down for a slice of cake.
They’re Easy to Make – Believe it or not this Margarita Cupcake recipe might look harder them it really is to make. Yes, there are a lot of processes involved; however you can split up this recipe over the course of 2 days if you desire. You can bake the lime cake mix on day 1, and let them cool. Then, you can make the tequila lime buttercream frosting recipe on the following day. Or within an hours time you can make the cupcakes and frost them. You don’t even need to be an experienced baker to make them – just follow the recipe and you’ll have delicious Margarita Cupcakes in no time!
They’re a Fun Twist on a Classic Cocktail – If you love margaritas, then you’re sure to love Margarita Cupcakes. They’re a fun twist on the classic cocktail that you can enjoy any time of day (or night). Plus, since they’re cupcakes, you don’t have to worry about getting a brain freeze from drinking them too fast!
Ingredients
- Flour – All purpose flour is needed for the batter of the cupcakes.
- Sugar – This cupcake recipe calls for granulated sugar for the batter and confectioners’ sugar for the frosting.
- Butter – You will need 4 sticks of butter for this recipe. Make sure you set them out at least a half hour prior to baking to get them to room temperature.
- Eggs – Four eggs are needed for this recipe. They all go into the cupcake itself.
- Buttermilk – Buttermilk also helps add a tang to the batter. It’s thicker and tangier then traditional milk. If you don’t have buttermilk on hand you can make your own by combining 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of vinegar.
- Limes – You will need 4-5 limes for this recipe. You will use the skin for zest and the juice of each lime to be incorporated into the batter and frosting.
- Baking Powder – This will help the cupcakes rise.
- Vanilla Extract – Vanilla extract gives an additional layer of flavor to the cupcake itself.
How to make Lime Cupcakes
First, zest the limes for this recipe and set into two separate bowls. One for the cupcake batter and the other for the frosting and garnish.
Next, juice the zested limes for the recipe, and set to the side.
Next, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir with a whisk to blend.
Using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Beat in the lime zest, lime juice and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, alternate by mixing in the dry ingredients and buttermilk. Beat each addition just until incorporated.
Place cupcake liners in cupcake baking pan. Using a large cookie scoop, scoop batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full. Bake 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Let cool in the pan 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Next, brush the cooled cupcakes with 1-2 tablespoon of tequila to emphasize the true margarita flavor.
How to make Tequila Lime Buttercream Frosting
To make the frosting, combine the sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Start mixing on low and as the sugar combines with the butter gradually increase the speed. Once the butter and sugar are light and fluffy on medium-low add the lime juice, lime zest, and tequila. Mix until liquids have fully incorporated into butter mixture.
Place the frosting into a piping bag and refrigerate for 15 minutes to chill the frosting.
Use a Wilton #1 tip and pipe on the frosting on to the chilled cupcakes. Sprinkle additional lime zest and garnish with a piece of lime. Repeat until all cupcakes have been frosted.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can make Margarita Cupcakes without tequila by simply omitting it from the recipe. However, it’s the tequila that gives the cupcakes their unique flavor, making it taste like a margarita. Simply use milk in place of the tequila in the frosting, and don’t brush the cupcakes with tequila.
A: Yes, you can use a boxed cake mix to make Margarita Cupcakes. Simply add fresh lime juice and lime zest to vanilla or white cake mix batter and bake as directed on the box.
Yes, Margarita Cupcakes should be stored in the refrigerator because of the dairy in the frosting.
After you bake your cupcakes. If stored properly in an air tight container in the refrigerator they are good for up to 5 days.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Tequila – Use high-quality tequila for a smoother taste. I like to use Patron for these cupcakes, but that’s the tequila I prefer to drink. Use whatever tequila you like best.
- Overmix – Don’t overmix the batter, or the cupcakes will be tough and denser in texture.
- Scooping – Use a cookie scoop to evenly portion the batter into the cupcake liners. I find a large cookie scoop makes the perfect amount for a regular size cupcake liner.
- Fresh Limes – Use fresh lime juice for the best flavor if possible.
- Juiced Limes – Depending on the size of your limes will depend on the amount of juice they will yield. Here is what I have found when I have juiced and measured them out.
- 1 juiced lime = 1 tablespoon
- 3 juiced limes = About 2-½ tablespoons of juice.
- Zested Limes – After zesting limes I’ve measured it out and have found a rough estiamte to how many you would need for various parts of this recipe.
- 1 zested lime = about a tablespoon and a half.
- 3 zested limes = about a quarter cup.
- Cooling – Make sure the cupcakes are completely cooled before frosting them. Always place them on a wire rack to cool.
- Frosting Taste – Once you’ve added all the ingredients and they are combined taste the frosting and see if you want to add anything else (additional sugar, tequila, etc).
- Lime Frosting – If you want to make this recipe without tequila, you can replace the tequila for milk.
- Piping – Use a piping bag to frost the cupcakes with a Wilton #1 tip for a professional look.
- Refrigerate – I like to refrigerate the cupcakes to keep the frosting from melting. This also helps keep the cupcake set.
Margarita Cupcakes are a delicious and fun dessert that you need to add to your baking list. They’re perfect for parties, easy to make, and a fun twist on a classic cocktail. So go ahead and whip up a batch today – you won’t regret it!
Still looking for more unique cupcake recipes? Check out these 25 fun & unique cupcake recipes.
If you make this Margarita Cupcakes recipe, I would be honored and love for you to take the time to leave a ⭐ star rating and comment! I spend hours developing and testing these recipes, and always love to hear feedback and user experience!
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Margarita Cupcakes
Equipment
- Zester
- Juicer
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- KitchenAid Stand Mixer
- Silicone Spatula
- Measuring Cups
- Measuring Spoons
- Cupcake Pan
- Cupcake Liners
- Piping bag
- Wilton #1 Frosting Tip
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- 1 pound Unsalted Butter
- 2 cups Granulated Sugar
- 4 Eggs
- 3 Limes zested and juiced
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 cups All Purpose Flour
- 1 tablespoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Buttermilk
Ingredients for Tequila Lime Frosting
- 1 pound Unsalted Butter
- 3 cups Confectioners' Sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons Lime Zest divided
- 1 tablespoon Lime Juice
- 2 tablespoons Tequila
- 1 Lime thinly sliced, for garnish
Instructions
For the Cupcakes:
- First, zest the limes and juice the zested limes for the recipe. Set to the side.
- Next, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
- In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder and salt; stir with a whisk to blend.
- Using a KitchenAid Stand Mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition and scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
- Beat in the lime zest, lime juice and vanilla. With the mixer on low speed, alternate by mixing in the dry ingredients and buttermilk. Beat each addition just until incorporated.
- Place cupcake liners in cupcake baking pan. Using a large cookie scoop, scoop batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about ¾ full. Bake 20-24 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan 5-10 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Last, brush the cooled cupcakes with 1-2 tablespoon of tequila to emphasize the true margarita flavor.
For the Tequila Lime Frosting:
- To make the frosting, combine the sugar and butter in a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment. Start mixing on low and as the sugar combines with the butter gradually increase the speed. Once the butter and sugar are light and fluffy on medium-low add the lime juice, lime zest, and tequila. Mix until liquids have fully incorporated into butter mixture.
- Place the frosting into a piping bag and refrigerate for 15 minutes to chill the frosting.
- Use a Wilton #1 tip and pipe on the frosting on to the chilled cupcakes. Sprinkle additional lime zest and garnish with a piece of lime. Repeat until all cupcakes have been frosted.
Notes
- 3 Juiced Limes – 3 juiced limes equals about 2-½ tablespoons of juice.
- 3 Zested Limes – 3 zested limes equals a quarter cup.
- Frosting Taste – Once you’ve added all the ingredients and they are combined taste the frosting and see if you want to add anything else (additional sugar, tequila, etc).
- Lime Frosting – If you want to make this recipe without tequila, you can replace the tequila for milk.
Shawnda
Beautiful job! Those are still one of my all time favorite cupcakes 🙂
Lisa
Your cupcakes are a beauty to look at!
Terri Truscello Miller
These look good! Do we need to have a Bake Date? I will totally teach you buttercream with eggs.
Stephanie
These look delicious!!!
Anngela
Katie, these look DELISH! 🙂 And super cute of course!