Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are not only visually stunning with their bright and bold colors, but they also combine the refreshing, tropical flavors of strawberry and mango with a fun margarita twist. The addition of a splash of flavor adds an extra layer of depth, making these cupcakes truly special. Plus, the frosting is silky smooth and perfectly complements the fluffy, moist cupcakes. Whether you’re hosting a summer party or just looking for a treat to lift your spirits, these cupcakes are sure to impress!

Ingredients

Cupcakes:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups caster sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp fine salt
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 large eggs
• 1 1/2 cups full cream milk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pink and red food gel (for strawberry flavor)
• 1 tsp strawberry flavoring
• Yellow food gel (for mango flavor)
• 1 tsp mango flavoring

Frosting:

• 1 batch American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream
• Food gels: Pink and red for strawberry; yellow for mango
• Flavorings: Strawberry and mango

Decorations:

• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 10 limes, cut into 40 wedges
• 10 strawberries, halved

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 275°F (140°C) for fan-forced or 320°F (160°C) for conventional. Line two cupcake tins with liners.

2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add butter and mix until crumbly.

3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, combine eggs, milk, oil, yogurt, and vanilla; mix well.

4. Divide and Color Batter: Divide the batter into two portions. Add pink and red food gels and strawberry flavoring to one portion. Add yellow food gel and mango flavoring to the other portion.

5. Fill Liners: Pipe alternating layers of strawberry and mango batter into the liners.

6. Bake: Bake for 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow cupcakes to cool completely.

7. Frosting and Decoration: Prepare the buttercream frosting, dividing it into two portions. Add pink and red food gels and strawberry flavoring to one portion. Add yellow food gel and mango flavoring to the other portion.

8. Sugar Rim: Dip the rims of the cooled cupcakes in water, then roll in granulated sugar to mimic a margarita glass.

9. Pipe Frosting: Pipe frosting in swirls on each cupcake, alternating between strawberry and mango flavors.

10. Decorate: Decorate each cupcake with a lime wedge and a strawberry half.

Enjoy these festive cupcakes that bring a taste of summer to any occasion!

Servings and timing

• Servings: 24 cupcakes
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cooking Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (plus cooling time)

Storage/Reheating

Store any leftover cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you’d like to extend their freshness, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. For best results, bring them to room temperature before serving. You can also freeze the cupcakes without frosting for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw at room temperature or warm them slightly in the microwave for a few seconds.

FAQs

1. Can I leave out the tequila in the recipe?

Yes! The flavor can still be delicious without it, so feel free to skip the tequila if you’d prefer.

2. How do I prevent the cupcakes from sticking to the liners?

To prevent sticking, lightly grease the cupcake liners with non-stick spray or use high-quality liners. This will help ensure that your cupcakes come out easily after baking.

3. Can I use other types of frosting for these cupcakes?

Yes, you can substitute the meringue buttercream with cream cheese frosting, whipped cream, or any other frosting you prefer.

4. Can I use frozen fruit in the batter?

For best results, use fresh fruit. However, if you only have frozen fruit, make sure to thaw and drain it well before adding it to the batter to avoid excess moisture.

5. How can I make the cupcake batter fluffier?

Ensure that your baking powder is fresh and that you don’t overmix the batter. Overmixing can result in dense cupcakes. Mixing just until combined will keep them light and airy.

6. Can I use non-dairy milk in the recipe?

Yes, you can substitute full cream milk with non-dairy options like almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Just make sure to choose an unsweetened variety.

7. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake and frost the cupcakes up to a day ahead of time. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature.

8. What can I use as a substitute for Greek yogurt or sour cream?

If you don’t have Greek yogurt or sour cream, you can substitute with buttermilk or plain yogurt for similar results.

9. How can I make the frosting look smoother?

To get a smooth, professional-looking frosting, use a bench scraper or offset spatula to gently smooth the surface of the frosting after piping.

10. Can I make the cupcakes without food gel?

Yes, food gel helps achieve vibrant colors, but you can skip it if you’d prefer a more subtle hue. The cupcakes will still taste fantastic without it.

Conclusion

These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes bring a delightful combination of fruity flavors and a fun twist, making them the perfect treat for any celebration. Whether you’re throwing a summer party, hosting a special event, or simply treating yourself to something sweet, these cupcakes will surely stand out. Their colorful, tropical design and delicious taste are sure to wow your guests and create lasting memories. Enjoy!