Name: Margarita Cupcakes
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 80 min
Cuisine: Fusion
Ingredients: 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour.; 1 1/4 cups caster sugar.; 3 tsp baking powder.; 1/2 tsp fine salt.; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened.; 2 large eggs.; 1 1/2 cups full cream milk.; 1/2 cup vegetable oil.; 2 tbsp Greek yogurt or sour cream.; 1 tsp vanilla extract.; Pink and red food gel (for strawberry flavor).; 1 tsp strawberry flavoring.; Yellow food gel (for mango flavor).; 1 tsp mango flavoring.; 2 tsp tequila (optional).; 1 batch American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream.; Food gels: Pink and red for strawberry; yellow for mango.; Flavorings: Strawberry and mango.; 1 cup granulated sugar.; 10 limes, cut into 40 wedges.; 10 strawberries, halved.

These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes combine the refreshing flavors of strawberry and mango in a moist, colorful cupcake. With alternating layers of strawberry and mango batter, these cupcakes are perfect for summer celebrations. Tequila adds a margarita-inspired kick, while the sugar rim mimics the traditional cocktail glass. Topped with a vibrant swirl of strawberry and mango-flavored frosting and garnished with lime wedges and strawberries, these cupcakes are both delicious and visually stunning.

These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a vibrant and fun way to bring a bit of summer into any dessert spread. With alternating layers of strawberry and mango flavors, these cupcakes are perfect for festive occasions or summer celebrations. The optional addition of tequila gives a margarita-inspired twist to the cupcakes, while a sugar rim around the edge adds both sweetness and visual appeal.

INGREDIENTS

All-purpose flour: 3 1/2 cups, for structure
Caster sugar: 1 1/4 cups, for sweetness
Baking powder: 3 tsp, for leavening
Fine salt: 1/2 tsp, to balance the sweetness
Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup, softened, for richness
Eggs: 2 large, for structure
Full cream milk: 1 1/2 cups, for moisture
Vegetable oil: 1/2 cup, for additional moisture
Greek yogurt or sour cream: 2 tbsp, for tang and tenderness
Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, for flavor
Pink and red food gel: for coloring the strawberry portion
Strawberry flavoring: 1 tsp, for fruity flavor
Yellow food gel: for coloring the mango portion
Mango flavoring: 1 tsp, for fruity flavor
Tequila: 2 tsp, optional, for a margarita twist
Buttercream frosting: 1 batch, divided into two portions
Food gels: Pink and red for strawberry frosting, yellow for mango frosting
Granulated sugar: 1 cup, for the sugar rim decoration
Limes: 10, cut into 40 wedges, for garnish
Strawberries: 10, halved, for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1:: Preheat the oven to 275°F (140°C) for fan-forced or 320°F (160°C) for conventional ovens. Line two cupcake tins with liners.
Step 2:: In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt. Add the softened butter and mix until crumbly.
Step 3:: In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, yogurt, tequila, and vanilla extract.
Step 4:: Divide the wet batter into two portions. To one portion, add pink and red food gels with strawberry flavoring. To the other portion, add yellow food gel with mango flavoring.
Step 5:: Pipe alternating layers of strawberry and mango batters into the cupcake liners.
Step 6:: Bake the cupcakes for 40–50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cupcakes to cool completely.
Step 7:: Prepare the buttercream frosting, dividing it into two portions. Add pink and red food gels with strawberry flavoring to one portion, and yellow food gel with mango flavoring to the other.
Step 8:: Dip the rims of the cooled cupcakes in water, then roll them in granulated sugar to mimic a margarita glass.
Step 9:: Pipe alternating swirls of strawberry and mango-flavored frosting onto each cupcake.
Step 10:: Garnish each cupcake with a lime wedge and half a strawberry.