Bring a vibrant taste of summer to your dessert table with these Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes. This recipe combines the lusciousness of fresh strawberries and sweet mangoes with the zing of lime and a playful hint of tequila, all wrapped up in fluffy cupcakes topped with a creamy, fruit-kissed frosting. Each bite delivers the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, with a soft texture and festive flavor that’s perfect for parties or a fun twist on classic cupcakes. Treat yourself and your guests to a dessert that tastes just like your favorite tropical cocktail, in cupcake form!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes lies in their approachable ingredient list—simple staples work together to create something truly special. Every element plays an essential role, from fresh fruit purees for unbeatable flavor and color, to a splash of tequila for that signature margarita twist. Here’s what you’ll need, and why you need it:
- All-purpose flour: This forms the sturdy yet tender base for your cupcakes, helping them rise beautifully and hold their shape.
- Baking powder: Guarantees a light and fluffy crumb, giving each cupcake its irresistible softness.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances both the sweetness and the fruity flavors, making everything pop.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to both the cupcake and the frosting; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes evenly and helps achieve a tender texture.
- Eggs: Offer structure, moisture, and stability so each cupcake holds together and tastes rich.
- Vanilla extract: Adds depth and warmth—an essential aromatic layer beneath the fruity flavors.
- Fresh lime juice: Delivers a zesty kick reminiscent of your favorite margarita, balancing the cupcake’s sweetness.
- Lime zest: Infuses vibrant lime oil for a fragrant punch in both batter and frosting.
- Tequila: The unmistakable margarita flavor; it’s subtle but really takes these cupcakes to the next level—feel free to swap for juice for a non-alcoholic spin.
- Pureed fresh strawberries: Brings natural color and juicy berry flavor that shines in every bite.
- Pureed fresh mango: Offers tropical sweetness and a gorgeous yellow hue, perfectly balancing the other fruit.
- Whole milk: Keeps the cupcakes moist and delicate without making them dense.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Ensures a smooth, creamy, not-too-sweet finish on top.
- Pinch of salt (for frosting): Sharpens flavors and cuts the sweetness, making the frosting memorable.
How to Make Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Ingredients
Set your oven to preheat at 350°F (175°C) while you line a 12-cup cupcake pan with colorful paper liners—these will keep your treats easy to serve and easy to love. Lay out all your ingredients, ensuring your butter is perfectly softened for smooth mixing, and prep your strawberry and mango purees by blending each until totally smooth. Organization at this stage means stress-free baking ahead!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This combines all your leavening agents evenly so your Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes rise uniformly, creating a delicate crumb. Don’t skip this step—it’s the foundation of cupcake success!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This adds air, which helps with lift and texture. Taking the time to cream these properly is one of the secrets to bakery-quality cupcakes at home.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Flavorings
Beat in the eggs, one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then pour in the vanilla extract, lime juice, lime zest, and tequila, blending well. Your kitchen will already smell incredible—the citrus and spirits create that unmistakable margarita allure!
Step 5: Blend in the Fruit Purees
Mix in the pureed fresh strawberries and mangoes, giving your batter a pretty blush color and infusing each cupcake with bursts of fresh fruit taste. Stir gently so you don’t overwork the batter.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Add the flour mixture in three parts, alternating with the milk, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined. This slow, careful addition keeps the batter tender and prevents over-mixing, ensuring your Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes bake up light and soft every time.
Step 7: Portion and Bake
Divide the batter evenly among the cupcake liners, filling each about three-quarters full. Bake in your preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean from the center. Let your cupcakes cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting. Patience here means your frosting won’t melt and slide off!
Step 8: Make the Frosting
In a clean bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy, then slowly add the powdered sugar, mixing on low until incorporated. Pour in the lime juice, tequila, and your strawberry and mango purees, then add a pinch of salt. Whip until the frosting is fluffy, fruity, and irresistible. If it’s too stiff, add a splash more lime juice; if too soft, a bit more powdered sugar should do the trick.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, generously frost each one using your favorite piping tip or a good old-fashioned spoon. Garnish with a tiny lime wedge, a sprinkle of fresh zest, or a sugar rim for the full margarita effect. Now you’re ready to serve up some serious wow-factor!
How to Serve Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
Garnishes
For a showstopping finish, top each Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcake with a mini lime wedge, a curl of lime zest, or a slice of strawberry or mango. If you want to channel true margarita vibes, dip the edge of the frosting into coarse sugar or even a touch of flaky salt for a playful nod to a cocktail glass. These little details make your cupcakes irresistible and memorable.
Side Dishes
Pair these cupcakes with other breezy summer favorites to create the perfect dessert spread. Try serving them alongside a tangy fruit salad with extra mango and berries, or platter up some coconut macaroons for a fun, tropical theme. If it’s a party, a pitcher of sparkling limeade or mocktails is the perfect refreshing partner.
Creative Ways to Present
For maximum impact, display your Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes on a bright cake stand and scatter slices of fresh lime, strawberry, and mango around the base. For parties, pop a tiny drink umbrella into each cupcake, or serve them in festive margarita glasses for a dessert that doubles as conversation starter. They’re just as dazzling on a dessert buffet or as a unique birthday treat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
To keep your Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes tasting fresh, store any extras in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 24 hours, or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors develop beautifully overnight, making them just as delicious the next day, but bring them back to room temp before serving for the softest texture.
Freezing
If you’d like to bake ahead, freeze the unfrosted cupcakes in an airtight container for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw the cupcakes overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature and frost fresh. You can freeze the frosting separately, too—just re-whip after thawing to restore its creamy texture.
Reheating
While you don’t need to reheat these cupcakes before serving, if you love that just-baked warmth, pop an unfrosted cupcake in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Avoid microwaving frosted cupcakes, as the frosting can melt. Instead, bring everything to room temperature gently, and they’ll taste just like new.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes alcohol-free?
Absolutely! Just replace the tequila with an equal amount of fresh lime juice or orange juice. This way, everyone—including kids—can enjoy Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes without missing out on the signature tangy and sweet flavors.
Do I have to use fresh fruit purees or can I use store-bought?
Fresh pureed strawberries and mango give the brightest flavor and color, but you can certainly substitute high-quality store-bought purees if you’re short on time or out of season. Just make sure to use unsweetened versions to keep the sugar balance just right.
Can I double the recipe for a party?
Yes, this recipe doubles wonderfully. Just make sure to use two cupcake pans and rotate them halfway through baking for even results. You’ll have plenty of Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes for a crowd in no time!
What’s the best way to get a neat sugar rim on the cupcakes?
After frosting each cupcake, gently roll the edge of the frosting in a shallow bowl of coarse sugar (or flaky salt for a true margarita impression). It’s easiest when the frosting is freshly applied and soft—this little detail is both pretty and playful!
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Definitely. Prepare the frosting up to three days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the fridge. Allow it to come to room temperature, then re-whip with a hand mixer before using so it’s perfectly fluffy and easy to spread or pipe on your Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes.
Final Thoughts
Liven up your next gathering or treat yourself to a taste of sunshine with these Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes. They’re joyfully bright, full of playful flavors, and surprisingly easy to make—from weeknight fun to celebration centerpiece. Bake a batch and share a little cupcake magic with the people you love!
Print
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a delightful fusion of fruity flavors with a hint of tequila, perfect for summer gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Cupcake Batter:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- ¼ cup tequila
- ½ cup pureed fresh strawberries
- ¼ cup pureed fresh mango
- ¼ cup whole milk
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tequila
- 1 tablespoon pureed strawberries
- 1 tablespoon pureed mango
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line cupcake pan with liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, lime juice, lime zest, and tequila. Mix in strawberry and mango purees.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to wet mixture in three parts. Mix until just combined.
- Bake: Divide batter into liners and bake for 18–20 minutes. Cool before frosting.
- Make Frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in lime juice, tequila, strawberry and mango purees, and salt. Frost cupcakes.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, use additional lime juice or orange juice instead of tequila.
- Adjust fruit puree amounts to suit your taste.
- Garnish with lime zest, fresh strawberry, or mango slices.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 315
- Sugar: 32g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 50mg
