Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are an exciting twist on the classic margarita, perfectly capturing the sweet, tart, and tropical flavors of the drink in cupcake form. The combination of strawberry and mango creates a refreshing and fruity taste that’s light yet satisfying. The fluffy texture of the cupcakes pairs wonderfully with the smooth, tangy buttercream frosting, and the decorations of lime wedges and strawberries add a fun, festive flair to the overall presentation. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a special occasion, or just indulging in a treat, these cupcakes are sure to impress!

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the Cupcakes:

• 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• 1 ¼ cups caster sugar
• 3 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp fine salt
• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• 2 large eggs
• 1 ½ cups full cream milk
• ½ 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

For the Buttercream:

• 1 batch American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream
• Pink/red food gel (for strawberry frosting)
• Strawberry flavoring (for frosting)
• Yellow food gel (for mango frosting)
• Mango flavoring (for frosting)

For Decoration:

• 1 cup granulated sugar (for decoration)
• 10 limes (cut into 40 wedges for decoration)
• 10 strawberries (halved for decoration)

Directions

For the Cupcakes:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, caster sugar, baking powder, and fine salt.
3. In another bowl, cream the softened butter with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Add the Greek yogurt (or sour cream), vegetable oil, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated.
4. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, alternating with the full cream milk, and mix until smooth.
5. Divide the batter evenly into two bowls. In one bowl, add a few drops of pink and red food gel along with the strawberry flavoring, stirring until you reach a vibrant pink color. In the other bowl, add the yellow food gel and mango flavoring, stirring until it reaches a bright yellow color.
6. Alternate spooning the strawberry and mango batters into the cupcake liners, swirling them gently with a toothpick or skewer for a marbled effect.
7. Bake the cupcakes for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the cupcakes cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.

For the Buttercream:

1. Prepare the American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream according to your chosen recipe.
2. Divide the buttercream into two bowls. In one bowl, add pink/red food gel and strawberry flavoring to create the strawberry frosting. In the other bowl, add yellow food gel and mango flavoring to create the mango frosting.
3. Using a piping bag, pipe the frosting in alternating colors onto the cooled cupcakes. For a marbled effect, you can use a two-tone piping technique by fitting the piping bag with a two-tone frosting tip or by spooning both colors of frosting into one piping bag and swirling them together.

For the Decoration:

1. In a small pan, heat the granulated sugar over medium heat until it melts and turns golden, stirring constantly to prevent burning.
2. Once the sugar has melted and turned into caramel, carefully dip the lime wedges into the caramel and set them aside to cool on a piece of parchment paper. This will give them a sweet, crispy coating for decoration.
3. Halve the strawberries and set them aside for decoration.
4. Once the cupcakes are frosted, carefully place a caramelized lime wedge and a halved strawberry on top of each cupcake.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 12 cupcakes
• Total Time: 30 minutes active, 30 minutes for baking, plus cooling time

Variations

• Non-Alcoholic Option: While these cupcakes are inspired by a margarita, you can omit the flavorings for a more traditional fruity cupcake without the margarita vibe.
• Buttercream Alternative: If you prefer a lighter frosting, you can use whipped cream or cream cheese frosting instead of meringue buttercream.
• Fruity Flavors: You can switch up the strawberry and mango flavors with other tropical fruits like pineapple and passionfruit for a different twist.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to 1 week, though the frosting may harden slightly. For longer storage, you can freeze the cupcakes without frosting for up to 2 months. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for a couple of hours and then frost them before serving.

FAQs

1. Can I make these cupcakes ahead of time?

Yes, you can bake the cupcakes in advance and store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Frost them just before serving for the freshest taste.

2. Can I use different food gel colors?

Absolutely! You can experiment with different colors to suit your theme or preference, but pink and yellow are great choices for this tropical margarita flavor combination.

3. Do I have to use Greek yogurt or sour cream?

While Greek yogurt or sour cream helps to keep the cupcakes moist and adds a slight tang, you can substitute it with buttermilk or regular yogurt if needed.

4. Can I use a store-bought cake mix for the cupcakes?

While you can use a store-bought cake mix as a shortcut, the flavor and texture of homemade cupcakes are much better. However, if you’re short on time, it’s certainly an option.

5. Can I make these cupcakes into a cake?

Yes, you can use this batter to make a layer cake instead of cupcakes. Simply adjust the baking time and use two 8-inch round cake pans, baking for 25–30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

6. Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can make the frosting ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Before using, allow it to come to room temperature and re-whip it to restore its smooth texture.

7. Can I use a different type of frosting?

Yes, if you prefer a different frosting, cream cheese frosting or buttercream made with powdered sugar will also work well with these flavors.

8. How do I prevent the cupcakes from sinking in the middle?

Make sure to measure your ingredients properly and don’t overmix the batter. Also, avoid overfilling the cupcake liners. Fill them about 2/3 full to allow room for the cupcakes to rise.

9. How can I make the frosting more stable in warm weather?

If you’re baking in a hot climate, consider refrigerating the frosted cupcakes for about 30 minutes before serving to help the frosting hold its shape.

10. Can I omit the flavoring in the cupcakes or frosting?

While the flavorings add to the margarita vibe, you can omit them and still make delicious fruit-flavored cupcakes. Use more of the fresh fruit or fruit purees instead.

Conclusion

Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a fun, vibrant, and tropical treat that combines the best flavors of summer in a cupcake form. With the zesty twist of lime and the sweetness of strawberry and mango, these cupcakes are perfect for a party, a special celebration, or whenever you’re craving a margarita-inspired dessert. With colorful frosting and playful decorations, these cupcakes are not just delicious—they’re a true showstopper!

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