Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Buttercream Frosting

By Hklbrries

Moist lime cupcakes reminiscent of a lime Margarita are brushed with tequila and topped with a tequila lime buttercream frosting.

Thanks for visiting my blog! I am an elementary teacher living in Peoria, Illinois with my husband, Andrew, and our two dogs, Hemingway and Winston. I love to cook and entertain for family and friends. I hope you enjoy some of my recipes as much as we do! Bon appétit!

Happy Cinco de Mayo everyone! What better way to celebrate than with a Margarita Cupcake?! Moist lime cupcakes reminiscent of a lime Margarita are brushed with tequila and topped with a tequila lime buttercream frosting. Baking and cooking is always more fun when alcohol is involved, whether it is in the dish you are making or in the glass you are drinking. Margaritas are one of my favorite refreshing drinks to have on a hot summer day. So when I was thinking of the perfect Cinco de Mayo recipe, this one immediately caught my eye! Enjoy.

Ingredients

• Cupcakes:
• 3 cups flour
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 4 eggs, at room temperature
• 3 limes, zested and juiced
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon tequila
• Tequila Lime Buttercream Frosting:
• 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 5 to 6 cups powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lime juice, freshly squeezed
• 1 tablespoon tequila
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lime zest
• Small lime slices for garnish, if desired

Preparation

Step 1

Cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Line muffin pan with baking cup liners.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together butter and sugar on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in lime zest, juice, and vanilla extract.

Reduce the mixer to low speed and add the flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with the buttermilk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just incorporated, do not over-beat.

Divide the batter evenly among muffin pan cups. Bake 23-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted into center of cupcakes comes out clean.

Remove the cupcakes from the oven and brush the tequilla onto the top of each cupcake. Transfer cupcakes to a wire rack and allow to cool completely before frosting.

Tequila Lime Buttercream Frosting:

Place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat 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 good piping consistency. Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Garnish with small lime slices.