Description
These Irresistible Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes combine the tropical sweetness of mango and strawberries with a zesty lime kick and optional tequila for a playful adult dessert. Moist white cake infused with mango nectar and lime, studded with fresh strawberries, and topped with a creamy strawberry mango lime frosting makes these cupcakes the perfect summery treat for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cake Ingredients
- 1 box (15.25 oz) white cake mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup mango nectar or juice
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 2 tablespoons tequila (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 1/2 cup finely diced strawberries
Frosting Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry puree
- 1 tablespoon mango puree
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: lime zest or coarse sugar for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a muffin pan with cupcake liners to ensure easy removal and neat presentation.
- Mix Cake Batter: In a large bowl, combine the white cake mix, eggs, vegetable oil, mango nectar, lime juice, tequila if using, and lime zest. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed for about 2 minutes until the batter is smooth and evenly mixed.
- Fold in Strawberries: Gently fold the finely diced strawberries into the batter, distributing them evenly without breaking them down too much.
- Fill and Bake: Spoon the batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full. Bake in the preheated oven for 18 to 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Remove the cupcakes from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat the softened unsalted butter in a bowl until it becomes light and fluffy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, then mix in the strawberry puree, mango puree, lime juice, and a pinch of salt. Continue beating until smooth and creamy. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar for thickness or a splash of cream for softness, as needed.
- Frost Cupcakes: Once the cupcakes are fully cooled, pipe or spread the frosting evenly on top. Garnish with optional lime zest or coarse sugar for a decorative, zesty finish.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila entirely without affecting the flavor too much.
- Use store-bought mango juice and blend fresh or frozen strawberries to create the purees easily.
- If your frosting is too soft to pipe, chill it briefly in the refrigerator to firm up.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 240mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 43g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg