It's Margarita Cupcake time somewhere, right? These fun and festive margarita cupcakes are perfect for celebrations, weddings, cinco de mayo and so much more.
These are a soft and fluffy lime cupcake spiked with a little tequila and then topped with a creamy lime buttercream and cute lime slice. They are the perfect classic drink flavor packed into snack form.
Making boozy flavored cupcakes can be fun - also try these Rumchata cupcakes.
This recipe is festive looking, but fast and easy to make. With just 11 ingredients, these are baked and ready for a party in about 45 minutes.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes
- Butter - unsalted + softened
- Sugar
- Egg Whites
- Flour
- Baking Powder
- Salt
- Milk
- Lime Juice
- Tequila
- Oil
For the Lime Buttercream
- Butter - unsalted + softened
- Powdered Sugar
- Salt
- Lime Juice
- Lime slices - option for decoration
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
Try out this substitution if you want an extra boozy cupcake.
- Add Tequila in the buttercream- split the lime juice to 2 tablespoons and add in 2 tablespoons of tequila when making the buttercream.
See this spicy version of this recipe on my website! (placeholder for in-content link)
Instructions
Follow along with these easy step-by-step instructions to bake up your own margarita cupcakes with lime buttercream.
Step one: preheat oven to 350 350 degrees. Line a couple standard cupcake pans with liners, set aside.
Step two: add butter and sugar to mixing bowl. Beat for 2 - 3 minutes until creamed and smooth.
Step three: Add in the egg whites, milk, lime juice, tequila and oil. Mix until combined.
Step four: Add in the remaining dry ingredients - flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix thoroughly, scraping the sides often.
Step five: Divide the batter between each of the cupcake liners - filling until about ⅔ full. Bake for 12 - 15 minutes or until center is set.
Step six: Combine the softened butter, salt and half of the powdered sugar in mixing bowl. Mix on low until well combined.
Step seven: Add in remaining powdered sugar and lime juice. Mix on low until well combined. Then, bump speed to medium for 1 - 2 minutes until stiff peaks form.
Step eight: Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a large star tip.
Step nine: Pipe a dollop of frosting on each cooled cupcake. Garnish with a lime slice.
Hint: make sure that cupcakes have completely cooled before adding any frosting.
Recipe Tips for Success
- Buttercream consistency
- Set center
Storage
Cupcakes should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 3 - 5 days. Or, they can be frozen up to a year.
If you are freezing them, flash freeze and then wrap individually so that the frosting doesn't get smashed.
Margarita Cupcakes with Lime Buttercream
Equipment
- Cupcake Tin
- Cupcake Liners
- Mixing bowl
- Piping Bag
- Star Tip
- Hand or Stand Mixer
- Measuring Cup and Spoons
Ingredients
For cupcakes
- 8 tablespoons Butter softened + unsalted
- 1 ⅔ cup Sugar
- 6 Egg Whites
- 3 cup Flour
- 2 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ¾ cup Milk
- 1 Lime Juice only
- ½ cup Tequila
- ¼ cup Oil
For Lime Buttercream
- 1 cup Butter softened + unsalted
- 4 cup Powdered Sugar
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 4 tablespoons Lime Juice
- Lime Slices optional decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line cupcake pan with liners and set aside.
- Add 8 TBS butter and1 ⅔ cup sugar to mixing bowl and mix on medium high for 2 - 3 minutes until creamed together.
- Add 6 egg whites, ¾ cup milk, juice from 1 lime, ¾ cup milk, ½ cup tequila and ¼ cup oil to mixing bowl and mix until well combined.
- Add in 3 cups flour, ½ teaspoon salt and 2 ½ teaspoon baking powder. Mix on low, scraping down sides as needed until well combined.
- Add batter to cupcake liners - filling each about ⅔ of the way full.
- Bake for 12 - 15 minutes until they are slightly browned and centers are set.
- Add 1 cup butter, 1 teaspoon salt and 2 cups powdered sugar to mixing bowl and mix on low until well combined.
- Add remaining 2 cups powdered sugar, 4 TBS lime juice and mix on low until well combined.
- Then, turn speed to medium high and mix for 2 - 3 minutes until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer frosting to a piping bag with a star tip.
- Place a large dollop of frosting on each cupcake and garnish with a lime slice (if desired).
Notes
- Buttercream consistency - make sure the buttercream is thick enough that it doesn't droop if scooped up, but not so thick that it's difficult to squeeze through piping bag. To thicken add powdered sugar; to thin add lime juice.
- Cool cupcakes - make sure cupcakes are completely cooled before adding frosting.
- Perfectly baked - centers of cupcakes should be set before removing from oven. You should be able to insert a fork or toothpick and remove with no batter sticking to it.
- Crank up the margarita flavor - in the frosting use only 2 tbs of lime juice and then add 2 tbs of tequila.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is just an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used.
