Margarita Cupcakes (Great Cinco de Mayo Cupcakes!)
Craving a Margarita AND a sweet treat? Get the best of both worlds with these fragrant and delicious Margarita Cupcakes! They’re perfect Cinco de Mayo cupcakes, or bake them whenever you’re craving a light, fruity cupcake.
Y’all, margarita plus cupcake equals one happy mama! It’s like two of my favorite things got together and had a baby so I wouldn’t have to choose between them! With these Margarita Cupcakes, I can have two treats in one, and you can too – soon! Cinco de Mayo is right around the corner and a perfectly good excuse to give these cupcakes a try. Plus, you know I like to keep it simple y’all, so for these Margarita Cupcakes we start with a boxed white cake mix and add just a little this and a little that to make them into something totally fresh and irresistible without the hassle or expense (two things I always want to resist).
Now, these are not what I would call “boozy cupcakes.” These Margarita Cupcakes are more like “tequila kissed,” and you can say no to the kiss if you’re not that kind of girl or you are making these for mixed company. 😉
Tequila Tip: While you can use any type or brand of tequila for these Margarita Cupcakes, I prefer using a clear tequila. White, blanco, silver, platinum … these will all give you a lighter, tequila-kissed flavor.
Whether or not you choose to add tequila to these Margarita Cupcakes, they are sure to be a total crowd-pleaser. They are light with a hint of fresh lime and are perfectly easy to whip right up (and gobble right down)!
Here are a few more perfectly good excuses to make these Margarita Cupcakes
- Cookouts and BBQs (They’re coming up y’all – FINALLY!)
- National Margarita Day (No, I did not just make this up.)
- Girl’s night (Need I say more?)
- Dia de los Muertos themed party (Fun for kids and adults!)
- Do we really need a final reason? Every day can be a fiesta with these cupcakes!
How to Make Margarita Cupcakes
Ready to make Margarita Cupcakes? Let’s get started (so we can start eating)!
Step #1: Line your muffin pan with cupcake liners and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Step #2: Start by preparing your cake mix according to the box’s directions. Grate one of your limes and fold the rinds into your batter.
Step #3: Scoop your cupcake batter into each section of your muffin pan, filling it about ⅔ of the way. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until fully baked (if you poke a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean, they’re done).
Step #4: Allow to cool on a rack and start your buttercream frosting: using a stand mixer, on medium speed, beat butter and sugar and slowly add milk. Add more sugar and/or milk to achieve your desired buttercream consistency (TIP: we like ours a little bit stiff for decorating purposes). Squeeze in the juice of one lime into your frosting and fold.
OPTIONAL Step #5: Once your cupcakes have cooled, brush a splash of tequila on the top of each one.
Step #6: Using a piping bag, pipe large dollops of buttercream frosting onto each cupcake. Top off with green sprinkles.
Step #7: Slice your limes and use it as a cupcake topper. Yum!
Like Margarita Cupcakes? Try These Other Cupcake Recipes!
Enjoy, and happy Cinco de Mayo!
Margarita Cupcakes
Ingredients
- 1 box cake mix + all the ingredients to make it
- Two limes
- 2-3 tbsp tequila optional
- 2 sticks butter softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1.5 tbsp milk
- Green sprinkles poured in a small bowl
Instructions
- Line your muffin pan with cupcake liners and preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Start by preparing your cake mix according to the box’s directions. Grate one of your limes and fold the rinds into your batter.
- Scoop your cupcake batter into each section of your muffin pan, filling it about ⅔ of the way. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes or until fully baked (if you poke a toothpick in the middle and it comes out clean, they’re done).
- Allow to cool on a rack and start your buttercream frosting: using a stand mixer, on medium speed, beat butter and sugar and slowly add milk. Add more sugar and/or milk to achieve your desired buttercream consistency (we like ours a little bit stiff for decorating purposes). Squeeze in the juice of one lime into your frosting and fold.
- Once your cupcakes have cooled, brush a splash of tequila on the top of each one (optional).
- Using a piping bag, pipe large dollops of buttercream frosting onto each cupcake. Top off with green sprinkles.
- Slice your limes and use it as a cupcake topper.
