Margarita Cupcake
These Margarita Cupcakes are bright, zesty, and perfectly balanced with fresh lime flavor and a subtle salty-sweet finish. Light, moist, and easy to make, they’re a fun, crowd-pleasing dessert for summer parties, birthdays, and celebrations like Cinco de Mayo.
Ingredients
- Cupcakes
- 1½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- Zest of 2 limes
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp orange extract or 2 tbsp orange juice
- ½ cup milk
- Lime Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2½ –3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 –3 tbsp fresh lime juice
- 1 tsp lime zest
- Pinch of salt
- Optional garnish: lime zest thin lime slices, or a light sprinkle of coarse sugar and salt
Instructions
- Preheat oven: Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Cream butter & sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs & citrus: Add eggs one at a time, mixing well. Mix in lime zest, lime juice, and orange extract or juice.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix batter: Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, alternating with milk. Mix just until combined.
- Bake: Divide batter evenly among liners (about ⅔ full). Bake 18–22 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool: Cool 5 minutes in pan, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make frosting: Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, lime juice, zest, and salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Frost & garnish: Frost cooled cupcakes and garnish as desired.
Notes
- Always use fresh lime juice for the best flavor.
- Do not overmix the batter—this keeps the cupcakes light and tender.
- Add more lime juice to the frosting if it tastes too sweet.