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margarita cupcakes

(32)
OrganicAndrea avatar
Blue Ribbon Recipe by
Organic Andrea
@OrganicAndrea
Orlando, FL

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. I sell my cupcakes and wouldn't do great business if I gave away all of the recipes I invented. I don't use a boxed cake mix for a paying customer, but it's easier for the home baker. Hopefully, this doesn't need to be said, but... Don't forget that these cupcakes have liquor in them, so they are not for children.

Blue Ribbon Recipe

These margarita cupcakes are perfectly light and refreshing. The cupcakes are moist and buttery with a slight tangy lime flavor. On top is a light and fluffy frosting that tastes just like a margarita. An ideal dessert for a hot summer evening, game night, or Cinco de Mayo party.

— The Test Kitchen @kitchencrew
(32)
yield 24 serving(s)
prep time 30 Min
cook time 20 Min
method Bake

Ingredients For margarita cupcakes

  • 1 box
    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

How To Make margarita cupcakes

  • 1
    Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare cupcake pans with cupcake papers, enough for 24 cupcakes.
  • Mix cake mix, eggs, oil, lime zest, lime juice, and water.
    2
    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 batter into lined cupcake tins.
    3
    Portion a scant 1/4 cup of batter per cupcake liner.
  • Bake the cupcakes.
    4
    Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until done and when the cupcake is touched in the center bounces back and doesn't leave an indentation.
  • Cool baked cupcakes.
    5
    Remove to racks to cool.
  • Cream butter.
    6
    While cupcakes bake, beat butter with the paddle attachment of a mixer until very smooth.
  • Add powdered sugar and lime zest.
    7
    Add powdered sugar and 2 teaspoons of lime zest; beat on slow speed.
  • Combine lime juice, tequila, and Grand Marnier.
    8
    While the mixer is running, mix in a liquid measuring cup, 1/4 cup lime juice, 1 tablespoon tequila, and 1 teaspoon Grand Marnier.
  • Add 4 Tbsp of tequila mixture to the frosting.
    9
    1 Tbsp at a time, add 4 Tbsp of the liquid mixture to the butter/powdered sugar mixture beating well between each addition.
  • Beat frosting for 5 minutes.
    10
    Once all 4 Tbsp are added, beat on medium-high speed for about 5 minutes. Then let your mixer run on low speed until you are ready to use the frosting. This keeps the frosting from getting crusty.
  • Brush remaining tequila mixture over the cupcakes.
    11
    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.
  • Frost the cupcakes.
    12
    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.
  • Last Step: Don't forget to share! Make all your friends drool by posting a picture of your finished recipe on your favorite social network. And don't forget to tag Just A Pinch and include #justapinchrecipes so we can see it too!
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