Shortcut Margarita Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Lime Frosting are an easy box mix hack to create a delicious margarita-flavored dessert!
There are a few topics about which I receive regular email requests from Boulder Locavore readers:
- great school lunch box ideas for kids usually when school starts up,
- quick dinner entrees, and
- shortcut ideas for desserts when there is not time to bake from scratch.
Today I’m sharing one of my favorite cake mix hacks for a great, fun dessert for parties and Cinco de Mayo: Shortcut Margarita Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Lime Frosting.
My tip will work with any mix and those shown in the photos are even gluten-free!
Shortcut Margarita Cupcakes
Everyone has times when last minute treats are needed for fun or a gathering, and baking from scratch isn’t possible.
That doesn’t mean that you can’t whip up something fun!
Shortcut Margarita Cupcakes are doctored from a regular vanilla cake mix and will work for regular and gluten-free mixes.
The cupcake flavor is transformed from plain-Jane vanilla to that of a margarita cocktail in cake form by swapping out part of the water requirement in the mix and replacing it with some white or silver tequila (milder flavor than reposado tequila), lime juice and adding a bit of orange extract.
How to Make Margarita Cupcakes with ANY Vanilla Cake Mix
The trick with these cupcakes is the correct amount of liquid. Any cake mix can be adjusted to include the amount of liquid required for the given mix.
The water amount in the mix will be replaced by a mixture of water, tequila and lime juice combined.
NOTE: to make Margarita Cupcakes WITHOUT tequila, see the next section below.
Figuring Out the Amount of Liquid for Your Cake Mix
To figure out the amount of each liquid required for the vanilla cake mix you select, some simple math is required:
- Identify the amount of water called for by the mix
- Subtract 1/4 cup PLUS 2 tablespoons (which is the amount of the tequila plus lime juice)
- The amount leftover is the amount of water you will add to the mix; in addition to the specified tequila and lime juice.
TIP: there are four tablespoons in a 1/4 cup, which should help with the math.
The orange extract is added directly with no accounting required.
Here’s an example:
In the case of the cupcakes I made, I used a gluten-free mix from Pamela’s Products calling for 2/3 cup water.
Two-thirds cup is a bit over 10 tablespoons, so after adding the ¼ cup of tequila and 2 tablespoons lime juice (6 tablespoons total), I added ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) water to ensure the total liquid added was equivalent to what the mix called for. Make sense?
Tequila Substitute Suggestion for Margarita Cupcakes
There is not a large amount of tequila in the cupcakes however should you wish to leave the alcohol out, replacing the tequila and lime juice combination with premade margarita mix, the type that calls for adding tequila, is also an option.
Cream Cheese Lime Frosting
When making these festive cupcakes I do prefer to make frosting from scratch.
It takes less than 10 minutes to make this luscious Cream Cheese Lime Frosting. The tangy, sweet, lime-y frosting perfectly compliments the cupcakes.
The Cream Cheese Lime Frosting is very easy to spread. If you decide to pipe it onto the cupcakes as shown in the photos, it performs well.
To Make the Frosting Stiffer for Piping:
If you wish to make the frosting stiffer put it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes before piping should it be made in a warmer kitchen or in the summer.
Garnish Margarita Cupcakes for a Festive Feel
Wanting the cupcakes to feel like a party, they are topped with jellied citrus wedges (shown here are lemon-lime).
They don’t affect the frosting with extra citrus juice as an actual lime wedge would, as well as add a fun touch with the sparkly look and citrus flavor.
Cutting a colorful paper drinking straws in thirds and inserting them into the cupcakes are the finishing touch. These cupcakes are a hit every time!
Lindsay Cotter says
These were such a fun treat to make!! And the taste is spot on!!
wilhelmina says
The cuppies are delicious! You would never be able to tell any shortcuts were used, they turned out perfect!
Alisha says
I love the tangy flavor on these.
Krissy Allori says
Umm, I’m going to need this in my life right away. My friends and I are doing a socially responsible distancing meetup. I’m going to make these for that this weekend.
Mahy says
These cupcakes make me feel so good inside – they look amazing, and I can already imagine how they taste… mmmmm, so delicious! 🙂
Anita says
These are so different from your regular cupcakes and so delicious! I can tell it will be a big hit serving these in a party. 🙂
Sharon says
These cupcakes with lime frosting are the perfect treat for Spring and Summer!
Maggie says
Yum! I never had a margarita flavored cupcake before. This Shortcut Margarita Cupcakes is perfectly delicious.
Renee | The Good Hearted Woman says
These cupcakes are so bright and festive, and the flavors are amazing! I love that you’ve made them so easy to decorate, too. Perfect for a Cinco de Mayo party!
Chelsea says
These are sooo delicious!! We’re obsessed! Thanks so much for sharing!
Suzy says
This was the perfect way to doctor up cake mix! Love it!