Margarita Cupcakes

Recipe Rating:	31 Ratings5
Category:	Cakes
Collections:	Member's Choice, Summer Desserts!, Cupcake Collection
Keywords:	cupcake, lime, tequila, Margarita, Grand, Marnier
Serves:	24-36
Prep Time:	30 Min
Cook Time:	20 Min

Ingredients

1 bx	white cake mix
3 lg	eggs
1	lime, zested
1/2 c	fresh squeezed lime juice, divided
1 c	water
1/3 c	vegetable oil
2 Tbsp	añejo tequila
2 tsp	grand marnier
4 oz	unsalted butter
1 lb	powdered sugar

Pinched by NancyOgburn, and 5,049 more.

Andrea Runnells

Well Seasoned

Orlando, FL (pop. 238,300)

drayuh

Member Since Oct 2010

Andrea's Notes:

I don't share my recipes with anyone who knows me personally. I posted the picture of these on Facebook after I finished making them and I got a bigger response on these than any other sweet treat I have ever made and posted. Let me know what you think of them.
**Addition** I sell my cupcakes and wouldn't do great business if I gave away all of the recipes that I invented. Granted, I don't use a boxed cake mix when I make mine for a paying customer, but it's easier for the home baker. Any of my non dessert recipes I am happy to give away and do so frequently.

(See Andrea's Original Version of Recipe)

Comments from the Test Kitchen:

Two of my favorite things: margaritas and cupcakes! These sweet cakes are perfectly light and refreshing. An ideal dessert for a hot summer evening.

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare cupcake pans with cupcake papers, enough for 24 to 36 cupcakes.

CAKE: To a mixing bowl, add cake mix, eggs, oil, 2 teaspsoons lime zest, 1/4 cup lime juice and 1 cup of water. Mix according to package directions.

Portion a scant 1/4 cup of batter per cupcake liner. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until done and when cupcake is touched in center, bounces back and doesn't leave an indentation. Remove to racks to cool.

While cupcakes bake, beat butter with paddle attachment of mixer until very smooth. Add powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of lime zest; beat on slow speed. While mixer is running, mix together in a liquid measuring cup, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon tequila and 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier. Add 4 tablespoons of liquid mixture to the butter/powdered sugar mixture (1 Tablespoon at a time,) beating well between each addition. Once all 4 tablespoons are added, beat on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes. Then let your mixer run at low speed until you are ready to use the frosting. This keeps the frosting from getting crusty.

By this time, the cupcakes should have come out of the oven. While the cupcakes are cooling, to the remaining lime/tequila mixture that you used to make the frosting, add 1 more tablespoon of tequila and 1 teaspoon of Grand Marnier. If you need or want to add a little more lime juice, feel free. Use a pure bristle pastry/paint brush and brush each cupcake with this juice mixture. Once you have brushed each cupcake, brush each one again. Then brush each cupcake one last time. (That is a total of three brushes for each cupcake.) The liquid should have time to soak in between brushings.

Now that the cupcakes are brushed and cooled, frost the cupcakes. Using a piping bag with a 1M star tip is quick and easy and makes them look like you got them from a bakery. Once frosted, sprinkle with fresh lime zest and serve.

DISCLAIMER: Hopefully this doesn't need to be said, but... Don't forget that these cupcakes have liquor in them, so they are not appropriate for children or anyone under the age of 21 years.

Comments

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Shawn A. Ella2010

Shawn Brown [Ella2010] has shared this recipe with discussion groups:
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Kitchen Crew JustaPinch

I tried this recipe and say it's Family Tested & Approved!

Kitchen Crew JustaPinch

I shared a photo of this recipe.

Jessica Hannan PansyAlvaris

Aug 17, 2011

What kind of cake mix was used to make these? Just wondering, since i get vastly different results with the 2 options I have available here.

Andrea Runnells drayuh

Aug 17, 2011

Jessica: For white cake mix, I always use Betty Crocker. I hope that is one of your two options. If not, pick the one with which you have had the best results. Let me know how they turn out. :)

Jessica Hannan PansyAlvaris

Aug 17, 2011

Betty Crocker I can get, Duncan Hines is the other. Betty is more dense....Duncan fluffier. That is why I was asking.

Andrea Runnells drayuh

Aug 18, 2011

It really depends on what you like best. Change it up to suit your taste.

Michelle Harris LadybugMichelle

Aug 20, 2011

I don't use alcohol in my cooking, is there anything I could substitute for the tequilla?

Andrea Runnells drayuh

Aug 20, 2011

Michelle: A margarita without tequila is just limeade. You could leave out the tequila and Grand Marnier in this recipe, and they would still be yummy lime cupcakes. When you make the frosting, just use water where it says to use the tequila and Grand Marnier. Let me know if you try it and if you like it.

Michelle Harris LadybugMichelle

Aug 20, 2011

ok thanks :)

Gayle Kennedy LadyScorp

Aug 24, 2011

these sound delicious! I am definitely going to give this recipe a try. Also, thank you for your very informative recipe in terms of instruction. Since baking is not always my strong point, it's very helpful to have detailed instruction of what to do, how to do it and what results to look for.
Also, to the lady asking about substituting~ I would try adding a tsp of orange juice and maybe even some orange zest in replacement of the Grand Marnier since that is an orange flavored liquor.. just for kicks and flavor.