Margarita Cupcakes

Fluffy lime margarita cupcakes topped with a rich tequila lime buttercream. Your favorite cocktail in cocktail form.

Serve with other Tex-Mex fare like cheese shell tacos, southwestern egg rolls, and Mexican street corn to make it a fiesta!

You’re going to love this margarita cupcake recipe. They are a true treat for your taste buds. If you like the cocktail, you’re going to LOVE the cupcake! If you like cupcakes AND margarita’s, you’ll wonder why you haven’t combined those epic flavors before!

I’m not gonna lie…I’ve tasted many cupcakes throughout my life, but these still stand out in my mind. The flavor is one that you’ll never ever forget, and that’s a very good thing. They are great for birthdays, summer parties, and of course Cinco de Mayo. Be prepared to share with all your family and friends! They’ll be begging you for your recipe.

Ingredient Notes

For the Cupcakes

• Dry Ingredients: Flour, Baking Powder, and Salt
• Butter
• Sugar
• Eggs
• Lime Juice: If you’re looking for a way to get the most juice from your lime, try to roll the lime on the counter first. Rolling it over and over again while adding a little bit of pressure is a great way to get the most lime juice possible. Microwaving for 10-15 seconds can also help. Use fresh lime juice if at all possible, it is much more flavorful, and much less acidic than what you find in a bottle.
• Lime Zest: Lime zest is simply the outer lime peel. Using a zester, slowly rub it over the green peel. Avoid the white part underneath which tends to be bitter. Combining lime juice and lime zest gives these cupcakes the perfect flavor.
• Tequila: There are several different types and brands of tequila that you can choose from. I suggest a silver (clear) tequila as that is what is typically used in margaritas. For this recipe I used Patron. 
  
• Vanilla
• Milk: I use whole milk for the best flavor/texture.

For the Tequila Lime Buttercream: Strawberry Buttercream would also be yummy here.

• Butter
• Powdered Sugar
• Lime Juice
• Lime Zest
• Tequila
• Heavy Cream
• Lime Slices, For Garnish if Desired

How To Make Margarita Cupcakes

From Scratch Cupcakes

1. Prep Work:Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.
2. Make Cupcakes: In a medium bowl, combine dry ingredients.  In another bowl, combine butter, sugar, and eggs. Add lime juice, lime zest, vanilla, and Tequila. Gradually add milk, and dry ingredients until just combined.
3. Bake: Fill cupcake liners ¾ of the way full. Bake for 21-23 minutes.
4. Add Tequila: Cool for a few minutes, then brush tequila over the top of the cupcakes. Cool completely.

For the Boozy Lime Frosting

1. In a large bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Add lime zest, lime juice, and tequila.  Add powdered sugar a little at a time.
2. Add heavy cream as needed to reach your desired consistency. Pipe or spread onto cupcakes. Garnish with a lime wedge and paper straws if desired.

Tools Needed For This Recipe

• Cupcake Pan
• Cupcake Liners
• Disposable Piping Bag Fitted With a Medium Star Tip
• Paper Straws

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Make Them Nonalcoholic?
Absolutely! Leave out the tequila. You could use another extract like vanilla or orange instead or simply leave it out. Also, be sure to skip the step where you dip the cupcakes in the tequila. You’ll still have a delicious lime-flavored treat that won’t get you tipsy! That way, everyone can enjoy in on the cupcake fun!

Can You Make Them Ahead?

Yes you can certainly make them ahead for Cinco de Mayo or a birthday party. Be sure to store in an air tight container so they do not dry out. For best results make no more than 3 days in advance.

Can You Freeze Them?

You can also freeze them if you want to make them far in advance, or if you have leftovers. Freeze in an air tight container for up to 3 months. Thaw before enjoying.

Can You Make It Into a Cake?

Yes check out our margarita cake recipe. 

My Favorite Cupcakes

Guinness Cupcakes

Chocolate Smores Cupcakes

Nutella Cupcakes

Boston Cream Pie Cupcakes

Fireball Whiskey Cupcakes

Margarita Cupcakes

Margarita Cupcakes: Fluffy lime cupcakes topped with a rich tequila lime buttercream. If you like margaritas you'll love these cupcakes!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American, Mexican

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 21 minutes minutes

Total Time: 31 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 Cupcakes

Calories: 482kcal

Author: Krystle Smith

Ingredients

For the Cupcakes

• ▢ 1 ½ Cup All Purpose Flour
• ▢ 2 Teaspoons Baking Powder
• ▢ ¼ Teaspoon Salt
• ▢ ½ Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
• ▢ 1 Cup Sugar
• ▢ 2 Eggs
• ▢ ¼ Cup Lime Juice (About 2 Limes) Freshly Squeezed
• ▢ 1 Tablespoon Lime Zest (From about 1 ½ Limes)
• ▢ 1 Cup + 1 Tablespoon Tequila Divided
• ▢ ¼ Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• ▢ ½ Cup Whole Milk

For the Tequila Lime Frosting

• ▢ 1 Cup Unsalted Butter Softened
• ▢ 3 Cups Powdered Sugar
• ▢ ¼ Cup Lime Juice (From about 2 limes) Freshly Squeezed
• ▢ 3 Tablespoons Lime Zest (From about 5 limes)
• ▢ 4 Tablespoons Tequila
• ▢ 2-4 Tablespoons Heavy Whipping Cream
• ▢ Lime Slices To Garnish

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Instructions

For the Cupcakes

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line cupcake pan with paper liners.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour,baking powder, and salt until combined.
• In another large bowl, beat sugar, butter, and eggs until combined. Then add in the lime juice, lime zest, 1 tablespoon tequila, and vanilla.
• Alternate between adding in the milk, and flour mixture until everything is just combined. 
• Fill each cupcake liner ¾ full. Bake for 21-23 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow to cool several minutes.
• Once cooled, poke holes into the cupcake and brush remaining tequila over the top using a BBQ sauce brush, or you can dip the top of the cupcake into a bowl of tequila. Cool completely. 

For the Tequila Lime Frosting

• In a large bowl, beat butter, lime juice, lime zest, and tequila until light and fluffy. 
• Add powdered sugar a little at a time. Add heavy cream as needed to reach your desired consistency. 
• Pipe with a star tip or spread frosting onto cupcakes. Top with a lime slice and a paper straw if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 482kcal | Carbohydrates: 60g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Cholesterol: 92mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 123mg | Sugar: 46g | Vitamin A: 800IU | Vitamin C: 3.6mg | Calcium: 55mg | Iron: 0.9mg

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If you’re looking for a great cupcake recipe that is simple and easy to make, this is one that you won’t want to overlook.