A tequila and lime cupcake paired with a lime buttercream creates a really fun and delicious adult treat! Save the shot of tequila and put it on these Margarita Cupcakes Recipe instead! For another fun adult treat, try my White Chocolate Martini.
Margarita Cupcakes
I have to admit, I was not one for shots. Shots of tequila and other hard liquors never really appealed to me and I would stick to beer or wine. When the opportunity came for me to try these Margarita inspired cupcakes, I was pretty darn excited. This was the perfect way to indulge in a sweet treat and still be reminiscent of tequila shots.
Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
The concept of a margarita cupcake is simple. You take a lime cupcake and infuse it with tequila. (I will tell you my trick for this in a moment!) Then you create a deliciously sour and sweet buttercream. The combination of these is a decadent and perfect pairing, much like the margarita itself. Simple, lip-smacking deliciousness.
Cupcakes Ingredients (full recipe below)
- Flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Lime juice
- Butter
- Sugar
- Eggs
- Tequila
Buttercream Ingredients
- Butter
- Confectioners’ sugar
- Lime juice
- Sanding sugar
- Kosher salt, optional
How to Make Margarita Cupcakes
It starts with the perfect lime cupcake recipe, brushed with tequila, and topped with lime buttercream. I didn’t add any tequila to the cupcake batter itself…after all, I didn’t want to stop eating the cupcakes after just one cupcake! Wait until the cupcakes have been baked before brushing on the tequila. (This would be a perfect time to relax and take a sip of the tequila, just for quality control, of course?). Then, after the tequila is allowed to settle into the cupcake (about 5 minutes), transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack to cool before adding the buttercream. If you really want this cupcake to be authentic, don’t forget to add a few sprinkles of salt! I shared these cupcakes with some tequila-expert friends and they were quite impressed! There were 12 cupcakes, 4 friends, and no cupcakes remaining at the end of the night. That is a success in my book!
Can I Make the Margarita Cupcakes Recipe without the Alcohol?
Because the tequila is added to the hot cupcake and not baked in, these are not safe for kids to eat. But, if you want to make them safe for children, simply omit the tequila. You will still get the same lime flavor and delicious treat! Add a slice of lime to really top it all off!
Looking for More Cupcake Recipes?
Chocolate Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Buttercream
Vanilla Cupcakes with Raspberry Filling and Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
CUPCAKES
- 1 1/2 cups (187.5g) flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup (122.5g) milk, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1/2 cup (113g or 1 stick) butter, room temperature
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon tequila
LIME BUTTERCREAM
- 1/2 cup (113g or 1 stick) butter, room temperature
- 2-3 cups (250g to 375g) confectioners' sugar
- 5 tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
- 1 tablespoon sanding sugar
- kosher salt, optional
Instructions
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In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
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Pour milk into a 1 cup measuring cup and add 2 tablespoons of freshly squeezed lime juice. Stir to incorporate and set aside.
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
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With the mixer on low, add in eggs one at a time, beating well after each.
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Slowly add in the flour mixture in three batches, alternating with the milk mixture, starting and ending with the flour. Mix until just incorporated and make sure speed is always on low.
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Divide batter evenly in a muffin pan. Bake for 18-24 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
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When done baking, remove cupcakes from oven and brush with tequila. After about 5 minutes, transfer cupcakes to a wire rack to completely cool before frosting.
LIME BUTTERCREAM
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In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, add butter. Beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
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Turn mixer off and add in the confectioners' sugar. Turn mixer on low and slowly add in freshly squeezed lime juice, one tablespoon at a time.
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Mix until thick and creamy.
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To decorate a cupcake, add frosting to a pastry bag fitted with an open star tip. Pipe out frosting onto cooled cupcake and top with sanding sugar. If you want to add salt, sprinkle just a couple granules over the top of the cupcake.
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Cupcakes last about 3 days but are best served immediately.
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