Margarita Cupcakes…*
…it’s five-o-clock somewhere
This year, for Cinco de Mayo, I will be in the process of moving to Chicago! Not that I’m complaining or anything, but I won’t be able to celebrate like a 22 year old should celebrate. The next best thing to a ‘Margarita on the rocks’ is a cupcake that was shaken and stirred with the same ingredients--salt, sugar, lime, and even tequila. Yes, I said it, tequila. Tangy and refreshing, these party pastries are great for any festive, adult celebration.
Inspired by‘Confections of a Foodie Bride’ and‘Recipe Girl,’ I wanted to make a Margarita-infused Cupcake that could easily be recreated for a last minute happy hour. I took a few ‘little shortcake’ shortcuts and used a box mix for the base and they turned out wonderfully! Light, fluffy, and full of flavor, these spiked lime cupcakes are the perfect complement to a tall, cool, salty margarita. No matter how you like your drink, it’s best to remember that life is grand with a margarita (cupcake) in hand J Enjoy!
…it’s five-o-clock somewhere
This year, for Cinco de Mayo, I will be in the process of moving to Chicago! Not that I’m complaining or anything, but I won’t be able to celebrate like a 22 year old should celebrate. The next best thing to a ‘Margarita on the rocks’ is a cupcake that was shaken and stirred with the same ingredients--salt, sugar, lime, and even tequila. Yes, I said it, tequila. Tangy and refreshing, these party pastries are great for any festive, adult celebration.
Inspired by‘Confections of a Foodie Bride’ and‘Recipe Girl,’ I wanted to make a Margarita-infused Cupcake that could easily be recreated for a last minute happy hour. I took a few ‘little shortcake’ shortcuts and used a box mix for the base and they turned out wonderfully! Light, fluffy, and full of flavor, these spiked lime cupcakes are the perfect complement to a tall, cool, salty margarita. No matter how you like your drink, it’s best to remember that life is grand with a margarita (cupcake) in hand J Enjoy!
The Ingredients…*
Lime Cupcakes
1 box white cake mix
Eggs, oil, and water according to mix
Zest and Juice of 1 large (or 2 small) lime(s)
Margarita Buttercream
(Recipe adapted from Recipe Girl)
(Makes 2.5 cups)
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lime zest *I added about 1 ½ tablespoons!
Green food coloring, if desired
Small lime slices for garnish, if desired *I made lime peel curls for my garnish (see below)
Splash (or 2) of Tequila
Lime Cupcakes
1 box white cake mix
Eggs, oil, and water according to mix
Zest and Juice of 1 large (or 2 small) lime(s)
Margarita Buttercream
(Recipe adapted from Recipe Girl)
(Makes 2.5 cups)
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon lime zest *I added about 1 ½ tablespoons!
Green food coloring, if desired
Small lime slices for garnish, if desired *I made lime peel curls for my garnish (see below)
Splash (or 2) of Tequila
The Instructions…*
Lime Cupcakes
(1) Preheat oven to 350° F
(2) Mix cake mix according to directions
(3) Add in the zest and juice of 1 large lime; mix until combined
(4) Divide batter between 24 cupcake liners and bake according to directions (usually about 18-21 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)
(5) Remove cupcakes and allow time for them to completely cool before frosting
Margarita Buttercream
(Recipe adapted from Recipe Girl)
(1) Place butter in a large bowl and beat with electric mixer until butter is fluffy
(2) Add 5 cups of powdered sugar, salt, lime juice, and lime zest; Mix until thick and creamy
(3) Add a splash (or two) of Tequila and more powdered sugar until the frosting is of a good spreading (or piping) consistency
(4) Mix in a tiny amount of green food coloring or gel paste if you'd like the frosting to have a green tint
(5) Frost cupcakes in whatever manner you prefer... spreading or piping the frosting
(6) Use small lime slices as garnish, or choose to make lime curls as demonstrated below
Lime Cupcakes
(1) Preheat oven to 350° F
(2) Mix cake mix according to directions
(3) Add in the zest and juice of 1 large lime; mix until combined
(4) Divide batter between 24 cupcake liners and bake according to directions (usually about 18-21 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean)
(5) Remove cupcakes and allow time for them to completely cool before frosting
Margarita Buttercream
(Recipe adapted from Recipe Girl)
(1) Place butter in a large bowl and beat with electric mixer until butter is fluffy
(2) Add 5 cups of powdered sugar, salt, lime juice, and lime zest; Mix until thick and creamy
(3) Add a splash (or two) of Tequila and more powdered sugar until the frosting is of a good spreading (or piping) consistency
(4) Mix in a tiny amount of green food coloring or gel paste if you'd like the frosting to have a green tint
(5) Frost cupcakes in whatever manner you prefer... spreading or piping the frosting
(6) Use small lime slices as garnish, or choose to make lime curls as demonstrated below
How to make Lime Curls
(1) Cut limes into quarters
(2) Peel the fruit away from the skin, using a knife (or a channel cutter, if you have one)
(*) Press gently to avoid cutting into the skin
(3) Using your hands, twist the ends to form a curl, or roll thinly cut skin around the handle of a wooden spoon; refrigerate curls for 20-30 minutes, or until the curls hold their shape
(1) Cut limes into quarters
(2) Peel the fruit away from the skin, using a knife (or a channel cutter, if you have one)
(*) Press gently to avoid cutting into the skin
(3) Using your hands, twist the ends to form a curl, or roll thinly cut skin around the handle of a wooden spoon; refrigerate curls for 20-30 minutes, or until the curls hold their shape