How to Make Margarita Cupcakes

With Cinco de Mayo soon arriving, it’s only natural to celebrate this holiday with a boozy cupcake, because what says Happy May 5^th better than margarita cupcakes.

This Mexican holiday has become very popular in America. For many Americans, Cinco de Mayo means enjoying Mexican food and kicking back a few beers and margaritas.  

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What is Cinco de Mayo  

According to USA Today, Cinco de Mayo is “one of the most misunderstood Mexican holidays, that has become more of an American holiday than a Mexican one”. As many believe it to be Mexico’s Independence Day contrary to popular belief Mexico Independence fall in September on the 16^th.

Cinco de Mayo is a day to commemorate the Mexican army’s victory over Napoleon III on May 5, 1862 at the Battle of Puebla. A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration to celebrate Mexican culture and heritage.  

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What makes Margarita cupcakes fun? 

Margarita Cupcakes are a fun dessert to serve at an adult party, because it infuses two things adults love cake and liquor.  

These boozy cupcakes are for adults 21 years or older and should not be consumed by children. Sorry, none for the kiddies this time!!

These cupcakes are fun for any Cinco de Mayo party, but they surely can be made for any festive adult occasion. They do have tequila in them so much emphasis is placed on adult only.

If you’re looking for a delicious recipe to serve at your Mexican-themed party, this Cinco de May look no further. For this blog we will be discussing how to make these tequila spikes cupcakes loaded with lime and lime zest while topping it off with a sweet and tart lime infused buttercream and let’s not forget more tequila.   

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What’s the Difference Between Gold and Silver Tequila? 

According to Margaritaville Cargo, Silver or white tequila is the clear, transparent alcohol. Bottled directly after being distilled, meaning that it is rarely aged or aged for a very short time.

Typically distilled in stainless steel containers, silver tequila can be either 100 percent agave or a mix. Silver tequila can have a harsh taste to some people because it isn’t aged like the highest end tequilas that are made to be sipped straight. This does make it work well as a budget-friendly mixing tequila. 

Gold tequila is also made from agave and distilled into liquor, but it is more often a mix than 100 percent pure agave. The gold color can come from two places.

Either the tequila was aged in barrels that gave it a brownish hue or, more often, caramel or coloring was added to give it the gold hue. Including caramel or other additives also gives the tequila a smoother taste, which makes it ideal for shots.  

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Which is better Gold or Silver Tequila? 

People usually opt for gold tequila when it comes to margaritas, as the sweet, smooth taste really shine in frozen margaritas or taking shots but for this recipe if you prefer a particular brand please feel free to use it.

 When researching margarita cupcakes, a lot of bakers opted for silver tequila. I went with the brand I had in the house so do feel free to do the same. When making this recipe El Jimador Reposado was stocked in my bar and if this is not a recipe you plan to make often. This brand of tequila is best on a budget.   

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Margarita cupcake  

For this recipe, we will be tweaking my vanilla cupcake recipe and adding a few ingredients to bring out the lime flavor. 

Important Tip:  

• The key to this recipe comes down to the lime and having enough zest so if you need a good one hit up my Amazon store for an awesome microblade zester, it’s simple to use and gets all the zest off any fruit.

• When adding tequila to your cupcake batter, a lot of the flavor may burn out during the baking process be sure to brush tequila on tops of the cupcakes prior to adding the frosting.    

• Make the frosting a day in advance as it allows the flavors the chance to merge together making a stronger bolder tasting frosting. Be sure to store it in the fridge until you are ready to frost and let it sit at room temperature for an hour prior to frosting your cupcakes.    

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For the cupcake 

• 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 cups granulated sugar 
• ¾  cup vegetable oil 
• 3 large eggs 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• ½ cup key lime flavored yogurt  
• 2 limes, zested 
• ¼ cup lime juice (approximately 2 limes) 
• 1 teaspoon baking soda  
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch 
• 1 teaspoons baking powder 
• 1 teaspoon salt 
• ½ cup tequila (use whatever you have in the house) 
• ½  cup Buttermilk 

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For the frosting 

•  2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter 
• 5 cups powdered sugar 
• 2 tablespoons tequila 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 2 teaspoon lime juice 
• 1 lime, zested 
• Pinch of salt 

Tequila Mousse  

• 1 cup of tequila frosting  
• 1 cup cool whip  
• 1 tablespoons of tequila  
• ¼  lime, zest  
• Pinch of salt  

INSTRUCTIONS 

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs and vanilla extract. Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated and the batter is lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed. 

Next mix in the key lime-flavored yogurt and lime zest and beat until well combined. 

Add half the flour followed by the baking powder and salt and beat on low speed while pouring in the lime juice and tequila and mix just until the flour starts to incorporate. 

Finally add the remaining flour, mixing on low speed while pouring in the milk and beating until all of the ingredients are well combined. 

Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed. 

Using a large cookie scoop, divide the batter evenly, filling each liner 2/3 full. Careful not to overfill. 

Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until brown and firm. Test your cupcakes by inserting a toothpick or cake tester into the center of the cupcake. If the tester or toothpick comes out clean, the cupcakes are done. Cool Completely. 

For the frosting: Cut the butter into pieces. Using the paddle attachment, whip butter for 10 minutes, scraping down the bowl occasionally, butter should look light in color when done. 

Alternate adding 2 cups of powdered sugar at a time with the liquid ingredients: tequila, vanilla extract, lime juice followed by the lime zest. Ensure the powdered sugar is well combined, and whip for and additional 2 minutes before adding remaining powdered sugar.

Increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 3 minutes to whip additional air into the frosting. 

After your frosting has sat overnight or at least for 6-8 hours. Frost cupcakes and garnish, if desired, with lime zest, an additional sprinkling of salt and a lime wedge and straw. 

Last minute, I decided to add a tequila mousse to the middle of each cupcakes as I wanted to give the cupcakes a special added touch. This recipe is quite simple as it’s a 1 to 1 ratio. Take 1 cup of the pre-made magarita frosting to 1 cup of cool whip or whipped topping.

Be sure, the cool whip is thawed completely before adding it to the frosting. Add tequila, zest and a pinch of salt, combine well. Just like the frosting its best if it can sit for 4-6 hours or overnight so the flavors have a chance to merge together creating a stronger bolder tasting mousse. 

For piping use a kife to cut a whole in the middle or in the picture I used the Aceto tip 809 to cut a whole use either side.

You can add a little more tequila to your cupcake by including a pipette filled with tequila to insert in the frosting.  

Please, don’t forget to leave a comment as we love hearing from our readers.

Until next time, Happy Caking!!