Margarita Cupcakes

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Cinco de Mayo is a good reason to make these delicious cupcakes but truly they can be served at any summer grill. Omit the tequila if making them for the little guys.

MARGARITA CUPCAKES

Servings: 12 CUPCAKES

Prep: 45 MINUTES

Cook: 25 MINUTES

Total: 1 HOUR 10 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS:

FOR THE CUPCAKES

  • 1½cups all-purpose flour

  • 1½ teaspoons baking powder

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 1 cup granulated sugar

  • 2 eggs (at room temperature)

  • 1½ limes (zested and juiced)

  • 2 tablespoons tequila

  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract

  • ½ cup buttermilk

TO BRUSH THE CUPCAKES

  • 1 to 2 tablespoons tequila

FOR THE TEQUILA-LIME FROSTING

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

  • 2¾ cups powdered sugar

  • 1 tablespoon lime juice

  • 2 tablespoons tequila

  • Pinch of coarse salt

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Make the Cupcakes: Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners; set aside.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt; set aside.

  3. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the butter and sugar together until pale, light, and fluffy (about 5 minutes).

  4. Reduce the mixer speed to medium and add the eggs one at at time, mixing thoroughly after each addition.

  5. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the lime zest, lime juice, vanilla extract and tequila. Mix until combined. (The mixture may start to look curdled at this point, but don't worry, it will all come back together!)

  6. Reduce the mixer speed low. Add the dry ingredients in three batches, alternating with the buttermilk in two batches. Mix only until just incorporated, using a rubber spatula to give it one last mix by hand.

  7. Divide the batter between the muffin cups. Bake until the cupcakes are light golden brown on top and a skewer inserted in the center has moist crumbs attached, about 25 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through baking.

  8. Allow cupcakes to cool for 5 to 10 minutes, and then remove to a cooling rack. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with the 1 to 2 tablespoons of tequila. Set the cupcakes aside to cool completely before frosting them.

  9. Make the Frosting: Whip the butter on medium-high speed of an electric mixer using the whisk attachment for 5 minutes. Reduce the speed to medium-low, and gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing and scraping the sides of the bowl until all is incorporated. Increase speed to medium and mix for 30 seconds. Add the lime juice, tequila and salt, and beat on medium-high speed until incorporated and fluffy. If the frosting appears a bit too soft, add some additional sugar, one spoonful at a time until desired consistency is reached. Frost cupcakes and garnish, if desired, with lime zest, an additional sprinkling of salt and a lime wedge.

Recipe from Michelle at thebrowneyedbaker.com

MARY VAN HIELFood, love