Happy Cinco de Mayo! Today is the day we are celebrating our inner Mexican heritage, or maybe just our love for Arizona – which is by Mexico. That counts, right? Or maybe our love for Margaritas – which is what we drink in Arizona. Or maybe our love for cupcakes – which is what we eat after drinking Margaritas. How about Margarita Cupcakes? This is a great way to celebrate ANYTHING.
Margarita Cupcakes | Recipe Girl
When we stumbled (not because of the tequila) upon these cupcakes, we knew we had to try these for Cinco de Mayo. Not only did the picture look so pretty, but what a great combination (Cupcakes and margs? HELLO! Those are two of our favorite things!) We shared these with the family after making them and it was fun to watch the faces of the people eating them. Was it salty? Sweet? What is this? I’ve never had anything like this! The icing is great! Oooh it’s so limey (is that a word?). It really does taste like a margarita. Pick up the ingredients and try it yourself. You won’t be sorry – but it’s probably best to keep them away from the kids.
Get out the tequila and lime, it’s Margarita Cupcake time!
These festive ingredients will get the party started.
Whisk together margarita mix and tequila in a small bowl. Measure out 1 1/4 cups for the recipe. Pour the rest on some ice and drink it while making the cupcakes.
In a large bowl, blend the cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, lime zest and 1 1/4 cups of the margarita mix.
Blend on low for about 30 seconds and then increase the speed to medium and blend 2 additional minutes. Batter will be slightly lumpy. Look at the gorgeous green lime zest coming through.
Spoon batter into cupcake liners and bake 20 – 15 minutes or until cooked through. Cool completely.
Look how beautiful and festive they are! So festive that we were so excited we forgot to take pictures of the icing and piping it on. We think you will forgive us when you taste these. ¡Olé!
Here’s the recipe
Cake Ingredients:
9 ounces Margarita Mixer, bottled liquid
3 ounces tequila
1 (18.25 ounce) box white cake mix
3 large egg whites
2 Tablespoons canola oil
2 Tablespoon lime zest
Lime Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
3 – 4 Tablespoons lime juice, freshly squeezed
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lime zest
green food coloring, if desired
small lime slices for garnish, if desired
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Line two dozen cupcake tins with paper liners.
Prepare cupcakes: Whisk together margarita mix and tequila in a small bowl. Measure out 1 1/4 cups for the recipe; pour the rest on some ice and drink it while making the cupcakes 🙂
In a large bowl, blend cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, lime zest and 1 1/4 cups of the margarita mix from step 1. Blend on low for about 30 seconds and then increase speed to medium and blend for two additional minutes. Batter will be slightly lumpy.
Spoon the batter into cupcake liners (about 3/4 full). Bake for 20-25 min, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Let cupcakes cool for about 10 minutes in the pans, then remove them to a rack to cool completely.
Prepare icing: Once cupcakes are completely cooled, prepare the icing. Place butter in a large bowl and beat with electric mixer until butter is fluffy. Add 5 cups of powdered sugar, salt, lime juice, and lime zest. Mix until thick and creamy. Add more powdered sugar until the frosting is of a good spreading (or piping) consistency. Mix in a tiny amount of green food coloring or gel paste if you’d like the frosting to have a green tint. Ice cupcakes in whatever manner you prefer… spreading or piping the frosting. Use small lime slices as garnish.
Nom. nom. nom.
Blended Kitchen 
It’s simple and sweet! They look delicious!
Meanwhile I have been figuring out the kinds of icing that gets involved when it comes to baking and decorating.. Do have a look! 🙂