Margarita Cupcakes

if you like margaritas, these cupcakes are right up your alley. these margarita cupcakes are a party in your mouth! the lime tequila flavor really comes through in these fun, festive cupcakes. these would be perfect for a cinco de mayo celebration next week.

you could decorate these plainly, but i thought i would celebrate easter and spring with a fun birds nest design. a couple egg shaped malted milk balls made for eggs about ready to hatch. you could also use jelly beans and add green coconut if so desired to make these look even more like nests.

if you are baking for youngsters, simply omit the step of brushing the baked cupcakes with tequila. you can leave the tequila in the icing since there is only 2 tbs in the whole batch.

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Margarita Cupcakes
(makes 24 cupcakes)
adapted from annies eats

cupcakes:
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cake flour
1 tbs baking powder
½ tsp salt
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 3/4 cups sugar
4 large eggs, at room temperature
3 limes, zested and juiced (approximately 1/3 cup juice)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup buttermilk


tequila lime frosting:
2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature
3-4 cups powdered sugar, sifter
1 tbs lime juice
2 tbs tequila
3-4 drops green food coloring (optional)
lime zest

preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

in a medium bowl, mix together flours, baking powder, and salt.

in the bowl of a mixer, beat butter and sugar together until light a fluffy. add eggs, one at a time, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed. add lime juice, zest, and vanilla extract. with the mixer on low speed, mix in the dry ingredients in three additions alternating with the buttermilk, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients.  beat each addition just until incorporated.

scoop cake batter into paper-lined muffin tins, filling them about two thirds full. bake for 20-22 minutes, turning tins halfway through baking time. remove from oven a let cool on a wire rack.

meanwhile, make icing. beat butter in electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy. start adding powdered sugar, 1/4 cup at a time, beating well after each addition. after about half the sugar has been added, add lime juice, tequila, and food coloring (if using). continue adding sugar 1/4 cup at a time making sure to beat well after each addition.

when cupcakes are cooled, brush each with additional tequila (if desired). pipe frosting onto cupcakes and sprinkle with additional lime zest.