Margarita Cupcakes

Happy Cinco de Mayo!  What better way to celebrate than with Margarita Cupcakes!  Oh yes please!

I found this recipe from Brown Eyed Baker after searching for the perfect one. 
This one is from scratch which is my specialty and oh so good!   I don't always eat the cupcakes I make other than to taste test for the perfect recipe, but this is one I didn't mind taste testing.  This is one recipe you are going to want to keep just in case you want to make some for your "rita" friends!  I did make some changes to the original recipe.

1/2 cups cake flour (I always use King Arthur)
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
2 Tbsp cake enhancer (King Arthur) optional
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter room temp
1 cup sugar
2 eggs room temp
zest and juice from 1 1/2 limes
2 Tbsp. tequila
1/4 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup buttermilk
To Brush the Cupcakes
1 to 2 Tbsp tequila
green gel color

Tequila Lime Buttercream Frosting
1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup butter flavored crisco shortening
16 oz  bag powdered sugar
2  to 4 Tbsp. Lime juice
2 Tbsp. Tequila
pinch of salt
green gel color

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325.  Line a standard muffin tin with paper liners.  I used some green and white dots from kingarthurflour.com. 
In medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, cake enhancer, and salt.  Set aside.
In an electric mixer on med high speed, beat butter and sugar about 5 minutes.
Add eggs one a time mixing thoroughly after each addition.
Add lime zest, juice, vanilla and tequila.  Mix until combined
Add dry ingredients in 3 batches.  alternating with buttermilk only until incorporated.  Do not overmix.  Add just a little green gel color to make the batter a slight green color.
Divide batter evenly in muffin cups.  Bake for approx. 25 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.
Allow cupcakes to cool for 10 minutes then remove to wire rack.  Brush the tops of cupcakes with tequila. Cool completely before frosting.

Frosting:
Mix butter and shortening together, gradually add powdered sugar.  Add juice, tequila and salt until desired consistency.  Just a touch of green gel color to make a light green colored frosting.

 

I rimmed the bottom of the cupcake with sugar sprinkles to represent the salt.

Then sprinkled with a little lime zest and a lime topping.

Just a little different with a different decorating tip. 

Go to my Swirly Sweet Cupcake facebook page to order some anytime.  You don't have to have a holiday to enjoy these cupcakes. 

Thanks for sharing in my adventures!  Until next time, Deana :)