Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes bring all the fun of a tropical cocktail into a delicious dessert. These cupcakes feature alternating layers of strawberry and mango-flavored batter, each bite bursting with fruity goodness. The cupcakes are topped with swirls of strawberry and mango buttercream, giving them a bright, colorful appearance. Add a splash of tequila to both the batter and the frosting for an extra festive twist. The sugar-dipped rims mimic a classic margarita glass, making these cupcakes not only tasty but also fun and visually appealing. Perfect for summer gatherings, parties, or any occasion that calls for a sweet treat with a tropical vibe.
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are the perfect tropical dessert for summer parties and gatherings. These colorful cupcakes combine fruity flavors with a hint of tequila, making them fun, festive, and full of flavor. With alternating layers of strawberry and mango batter, these cupcakes are as beautiful as they are delicious. The buttercream frosting features matching strawberry and mango flavors, piped in colorful swirls for a bright and tropical look. Garnished with lime wedges and fresh strawberries, these cupcakes will be the highlight of any event!
INGREDIENTS
- All-purpose flour: 3 ½ cups, for the cupcake base
- Caster sugar: 1 ¼ cups, for sweetness
- Baking powder: 3 tsp, to help the cupcakes rise
- Fine salt: ½ tsp, to balance the flavors
- Unsalted butter: ½ cup, softened, for richness in the batter
- Large eggs: 2, for structure in the cupcakes
- Full cream milk: 1 ½ cups, to keep the cupcakes moist
- Vegetable oil: ½ cup, for added moisture
- Greek yogurt or sour cream: 2 tbsp, for extra tenderness in the cupcakes
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp, for flavor
- Tequila (optional): 2 tsp, for a boozy kick
- Pink and red food gel: For coloring the strawberry batter and frosting
- Strawberry flavoring: 1 tsp, for the strawberry batter and frosting
- Yellow food gel: For coloring the mango batter and frosting
- Mango flavoring: 1 tsp, for the mango batter and frosting
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup, for decorating the cupcake tops
- Limes: 10, cut into wedges for garnish
- Strawberries: 10, halved for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
- Step 1:
- Preheat your oven to 275°F (140°C) for fan-forced or 320°F (160°C) for conventional ovens. Line two cupcake tins with paper liners.
- Step 2:
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and fine salt. Add the softened butter and mix until crumbly.
- Step 3:
- In another bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vegetable oil, Greek yogurt or sour cream, tequila (optional), and vanilla extract.
- Step 4:
- Divide the batter into two portions. Add pink and red food gel and strawberry flavoring to one portion and yellow food gel and mango flavoring to the other.
- Step 5:
- Pipe alternating layers of strawberry and mango batter into the cupcake liners, filling each about two-thirds full.
- Step 6:
- Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
- Step 7:
- Prepare your buttercream and divide it into two portions. Add pink and red food gel and strawberry flavoring to one portion, and yellow food gel and mango flavoring to the other.
- Step 8:
- Lightly dip the cooled cupcakes in water, then roll them in granulated sugar to mimic the look of a margarita glass rim.
- Step 9:
- Pipe alternating swirls of strawberry and mango buttercream on top of each cupcake.
- Step 10:
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a strawberry half on top for a festive finish.
Serving and Storage Tips
- These cupcakes are best served fresh, but they can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving.
- For an extra refreshing twist, serve the cupcakes with a chilled margarita on the side!
Helpful Notes
- You can easily adjust the amount of tequila in the recipe to suit your taste, or leave it out entirely for a non-alcoholic version.
- To make the colors pop even more, use gel food coloring instead of liquid, as it’s more concentrated and won’t affect the texture of the batter.
Tips from Well-Known Chefs
- For an extra festive touch, try adding edible glitter or tropical-themed sprinkles to the frosted cupcakes before serving.
How to Create the Perfect Cupcake Swirls
To achieve the perfect cupcake swirls, use a piping bag fitted with a star tip. Hold the bag vertically over the cupcake and apply steady pressure as you pipe a swirl from the outside in. For the dual-flavor swirl effect, fill one side of the piping bag with strawberry buttercream and the other side with mango buttercream.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes without tequila?
Yes, you can leave out the tequila if you prefer a non-alcoholic version of the cupcakes. They’ll still be delicious with the fruity flavors of strawberry and mango!
How can I make the buttercream lighter?
If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can use Swiss meringue buttercream instead of American buttercream. It’s less sweet and has a silkier texture.
What’s the best way to fill the cupcake liners?
For neat layers, use piping bags to fill the cupcake liners with alternating layers of strawberry and mango batter. This gives you more control and ensures even distribution of the flavors.
Summary
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a tropical delight, perfect for summer gatherings or any celebration. The batter is divided into two portions, one flavored with strawberry and the other with mango, creating vibrant layers in each cupcake. They’re topped with swirls of strawberry and mango buttercream, making them just as beautiful as they are delicious. For an extra fun twist, the tops are lightly dipped in water and rolled in sugar, mimicking the classic salted rim of a margarita glass. Add a splash of tequila to both the cupcake batter and the frosting to turn these into the ultimate boozy dessert!