Margarita Cupcakes

These cupcakes are deliciously beautiful innocent…
They are definitely not innocent. They are all things tequila and lime. The cupcakes are buttery and moist. The frosting is velvety and buttery (more butter!). And there is a prevalent lime/tequila taste throughout. They are a Cinco de Mayo dream. If you like margaritas (or just boozy cupcakes), you will fall in love with these babies. And they’re perfect for toting along to picnics and cook-outs all summer long!

Margarita Cupcakes

Yield: 1 dozen

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup buttermilk, room temperature
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2 eggs, room temperature
• 2 limes, juiced and zested
• 1 1/2 tablespoons tequila, optional
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting:

• 1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 3-4 cups powdered sugar, or to taste
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons tequila, optional
• 2 teaspoons lime zest
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon coarse salt

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F and line a muffin tin with 12 cupcake liners.
2. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt and mix together.
3. In a large bowl or mixer, cream together butter and sugar for 4-5 minutes, or until butter is fluffy and lightened in color.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time, waiting for each to be incorporated before adding the next one.
5. Scrape down sides of bowl and mix in lime juice, tequila (if using), lime zest and vanilla extract.
6. Working in batches, alternate between adding the dry and wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix batter until just incorporated, then let rest 10 minutes.
7. Pour batter into cupcake molds, filling each 3/4 full, then place baking dish in oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until cupcakes are golden and tops are springy to the touch.
8. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
9. To make the frosting: beat sugar in a large bowl or mixer on high speed for 5 minutes, or until fluffy and lightened in color.
10. Gradually mix in powdered sugar until incorporated, then beat in lime juice, tequila (if using), zest, vanilla extract and salt. Note: little by little, add more powdered sugar if you want a firmer frosting.
11. Mix everything together one more time, then frost cooled cupcakes, garnish with fresh limes and serve immediately…enjoy!

Recipe Credit: 12tomatoes.com