Margarita Cupcakes (Print Version)

Ingredients:

01 - 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour.
02 - 1 ¼ cups caster sugar.
03 - 3 tsp baking powder.
04 - ½ tsp fine salt.
05 - ½ cup unsalted butter (softened).
06 - 2 large eggs.
07 - 1 ½ cups full cream milk.
08 - ½ cup vegetable oil.
09 - 2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream.
10 - 1 tsp vanilla extract.
11 - Pink and red food gel (for strawberry flavor).
12 - 1 tsp strawberry flavoring.
13 - Yellow food gel (for mango flavor).
14 - 1 tsp mango flavoring.
15 - 2 tsp tequila (optional).
16 - 1 batch American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
17 - Pink/red food gel (for strawberry frosting).
18 - Strawberry flavoring (for frosting).
19 - Yellow food gel (for mango frosting).
20 - Mango flavoring (for frosting).
21 - 1 cup granulated sugar (for decoration).
22 - 10 limes (cut into 40 wedges for decoration).
23 - 10 strawberries (halved for decoration).

Instructions:

01 - Preheat oven to 275°F (140°C) for fan-forced or 320°F (160°C) for conventional. Line two cupcake tins with liners.
02 - In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix until crumbly.
03 - In another bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil, yogurt, tequila (if using), and vanilla extract.
04 - Divide the batter into two portions: add pink/red food gel and strawberry flavoring to one portion, and yellow food gel and mango flavoring to the other.
05 - Pipe alternating layers of strawberry and mango batter into the cupcake liners.
06 - Bake for 40–50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
07 - Prepare the buttercream and divide it into two portions: add pink/red food gel and strawberry flavoring to one, and yellow food gel and mango flavoring to the other.
08 - Lightly dip the cooled cupcakes in water, then roll them in granulated sugar to mimic the look of a margarita glass rim.
09 - Pipe alternating swirls of strawberry and mango frosting onto the cupcakes.
10 - Garnish each cupcake with a lime wedge and a strawberry half.

Notes:

01 - Dipping the cupcakes in water and rolling them in sugar creates a fun margarita-like rim.
02 - For a boozy twist, add tequila to both the batter and the frosting.