Margarita Cupcakes

Four white cupcakes with white frosting and lime zest and lime on top in a green polka dot wrapper.

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.

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Diet Low Salt

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 25

Cooling Time 15

Total Time 1

Servings

Calories 456kcal

Author Katie

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.

Nutrition