Margarita Cupcakes are slightly tangy and a lot sweet and the perfect way to complement any festive celebrations! There is no need to decide if you want a lemon or lime margarita because these Margarita Cupcakes have both flavors! A lemon cupcake is topped with lime buttercream and garnished with the peels of a lemon and a lime. If you love cupcakes that are bursting with flavor, try my Cherry Limeade Cupcakes!
Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
I don’t know if you can see it… but I actually rolled the edge of the cupcake is sparkling sugar to mimic salt. I don’t want to name names, but a certain man I live with may or may not have been fooled into thinking it was actually salt.
Ingredients
- 1 box lemon cake
- 4 eggs
- 1/2 cup oil
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup tequila
If you notice the list of ingredients, you might realize it is not exactly like the recipe on the box. I used the dry mix and finished making the batter my way, not forgetting the tequila, of course!
How to Make Margarita Cupcakes
First, fill the cupcake liners 3/4 of the way full of the lemon cake batter. Bake the cupcakes for 18 minutes at 350°F. While the cupcakes are baking, prepare the lime buttercream. Let the cupcakes cool on a wire rack before you pipe on the buttercream. Finally, don’t forget to add the salt. Like I said, not everyone will be fooled (or pleased) if you just add the sanding sugar! Garnish with the peels of a lemon and a lime to really make an impression.
Lime Buttercream
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 4 -5 cups confectioners' sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 to 2 tablespoons milk or half and half
Instructions
- In a mixer, blend butter, lime zest (make sure it is a very fine grate if you are piping out the frosting), vanilla, and salt until fully combined. Add in the confectioners' sugar one cup at a time, alternating with lime juice. If you need more liquid, add the milk or half and half to reach your desired consistency.
Did you make this recipe?
Thank you for making my recipe! You took pictures, right? Well go ahead and post them on Instagram! Be sure to mention me @iambaker and use the hashtag #YouAreBaker.
rolling the cupcakes in fat sugar crystals was brilliant, amanda!
I don’t drink but this could be a great way to catch that “buzz” that I “vaguely” remember from my college days! You and your creations make me smile!
My version of marquarita cake came from a recipe @ Williams & Sonoma.. Use a yellow cake mix, all ingredients on box, except water… instead of water, use marguarita mix/no tequeila, just the bottled mix. This is also a wonderful cake. Sheet pan, then out the oven, mix powdered sugar and more marguarita mix and drizzle, ENJOY!
Oh fun! That sounds great!
Hey i have tried similar recipe, my friends liked it. Now i will try with this one!
These look amazing! I have to admit, I’m part of what seems like a small percent of people that doesn’t like tequila or margaritas. HOWEVER, that won’t stop me from making these for the Cinco de Mayo party I’m attending this wekend. I am definitely going to be the hit of the party!!
HI there. I just wanted to let you know that I made these and entered them into a cupcake war contest and won FIRST PLACE. thanks so much! Happy cinco de mayo
Made these for cinco de mayo and they were a huge hit!! One person said it was the best cupcake she had ever eaten!!! The lime butter cream frosting was to die for!!!!
Wow, a warm summy day and these delicious cupcakes! xoxo Kim
I’m catching up on blogs (see definition for stalking) that I haven’t been able to read in a while… I’m going to HAVE to make these for work! We’re in the middle of some banking conversions and I think we could all use a sweet “drink”!
I made Strawberry Margarita cupcakes for Cinco De Mayo! I will have to try this recipe next!!