Calling all adults that love their margaritas! Treat yourself to these tart & sweet Tequila Lime Cupcakes topped with a rich & creamy margarita frosting. It's like taking a bite out of your favorite margarita! And yep, there's tequila in this here delectable treat!
What's the first thing you think of when you hear Cinco de Mayo? Margaritas, right? Me too!
And I've already got the best, most delicious recipe for a margarita so I thought why not bake this same tart, sweet, lime-flavored taste into a dessert - brilliant! Hence these yummy Tequila Lime Cupcakes with Margarita Frosting.
Let me warn you, these are definitely for adults only & taste like you're actually eating your favorite cocktail! Of course, that might be because you are!
These cupcakes have a decided lime flavor along with thier own dose of tequila! I've even made them super simple by starting out with a boxed vanilla cake mix. All you have to do is add lime juice and zest and bake. Just look at those beauties just waiting for some yummy sweet margarita frosting. If you want to go a little overboard (and who wouldn't) you can also add a teaspoon of tequila to each baked cupcake before frosting. Woohoo!
Now, the frosting is a whole new dimension in flavor! A creamy buttercream frosting is enhanced with lime, tequila and Cointreau, everything you love in a margarita, to take this sweet frosting over the top.
And I didn't forget the salt either. I sprinkled a little coarse salt on top of the frosting along with some green-colored sugar to finish the cocktail, ummm, I mean cupcake. So now all that's needed is a wedge of lime and a straw and you're ready to par-tay!
The cupcakes come out moist, rich and full of delicious lime flavor and the frosting adds just the right amount of margarita flavor. That first bite will have you falling in love!
Fill out your Cinco de Mayo menu with these Slow Cooker Chicken Tacos or Pork Enchiladas before devouring these cupcakes. Salud!
TEQUILA LIME CUPCAKES with MARGARITA FROSTING
Ingredients
Cupcakes
- 1 boxed vanilla cake mix + ingredients listed on box
- 1 lime, juiced & zested (approximately 2 Tablespoons lime juice + 2 teaspoons zest)
- 2 Tablespoons tequila + additional 1-2 Tablespoons to coat top (topping is optional)
- Garnish: Coarse green colored sugar or lime zest colored straws, lime wedges, coarse salt
Frosting
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup lime juice
- 3 Tablespoons tequila
- 3 Tablespoons Cointreau or Triple Sec
- Pinch coarse salt
Instructions
Cupcakes
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a muffin tin(s) with paper cupcake liners.
- Mix cake mix according to directions, reducing liquid by 2 Tablespoons.
- Stir in lime juice, zest and tequila.
- Divide the batter evenly between muffin cups.
- Bake for 12-17 minutes. Cupcakes are done when toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. (May need to be adjusted according to cake mix you use. Check box for cupcake baking times.)
- Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes on wire rack.
- Remove cupcakes from pan and allow to cool completely on wire rack.
Frosting
- Place softened butter in bowl of electric mixer and beat on medium-high speed for 5 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Lower speed and add sugar, whipping until well combined.
- Add remaining ingredients and beat until well mixed.
- If frosting is too runny, add a little more confectioner's sugar until desired consistency is reached.
- Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish with a sprinkle of colored sugar or lime zest, a lime wedge and a pretty colored straw which has been cut in thirds. An additional sprinkle of coarse salt can also be added.
Shelley says
I know this sounds dumb, but is it possible to make these without the alcohol for a work function? Do you have any suggestions?
Linda Warren says
That's a great question! Yes, you can make these cupcakes non-alcoholic. Just substitute an alcohol-free margarita mix for the tequila or make it more simple and just go with milk. For the Cointreau in the frosting, just use orange juice. Hope everyone enjoys them!
Julia Taibo-Cueto says
Can I make it cake instead of cup cakes
Linda Warren says
Yes, this actually makes a delicious cake! Prepare the same and cook 2 8" round layers for approximately 24-29 minutes or a 9x13" sheet cake for 23-28 minutes. Enjoy!
Carolyn says
Is there anything I can replace the Triple Sec/Cointreau with?
Linda Warren says
Yes, orange juice works great to replace triple sec and it offers the same flavor. Hope you enjoy them!
Lee says
This recipe is absolutely lovely. I have one question though, my frosting seems to have split after being in the fridge for a few hours. Is this avoidable at all? Still delicious, the texture is just a bit different 🙂
Linda Warren says
I haven't experienced that problem but I usually keep my frosted cupcakes at room temperature, covered, for up to 3 days and that works out fine. If you don't feel comfortable leaving them out, make them ahead of time and store the baked cupcakes separate from the frosting. The frosting can be made and refrigerated and then whipped again prior to icing. Frost earlier in the day you plan to eat them and just cover and leave them on the counter. Hope that helps and glad you enjoyed them anyway.
Bertha says
hi what over the counter frosting can I use instead of making frosting?
Linda Warren says
To save time, you could purchase a vanilla frosting and whip it with a little lime zest and/or a little lime juice. You may have to add a little confectioner's sugar if the frosting thins too much.
Liz says
These are so perfect for a cinco de mayo party!!! It's hard to think of good themed desserts so these are awesoe.
Linda Warren says
Thanks Liz! They'll look great on your party table! Nothing like eating your cocktail! lol
Amanda Finks says
This is the perfect dessert for Cinco De Mayo! Love that icing!
Linda Warren says
I'm with you on the icing! It's pretty potent but totally delicious! Happy Cinco de Mayo!