Margarita cupcakes with lime buttercream frosting

These were a big hit at Hamish's birthday. I don't think we had a crumb left at the end of the night.



Cupcake recipe from Bake Space and frosting recipe from Cooking Light (May 2009)

Cupcakes:
Makes 12
9 oz Margarita mix (such as Mrs. T's)
3 oz tequila
3/4 oz Grand Marnier
White cake mix
3 egg whites
2 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 Tbsp lime zest


Mix together the margarita mix, tequila, and Grand Marnier in a large glass or spouted bowl. You will use 1 1/4 cup of this in the cupcake mix. Pour the remainder over ice and enjoy the mini-rita while you're baking.


In a stand mixer, add the cake mix, egg whites, vegetable oil, lime zest, and 1 1/4 cup of the margarita mixture. Mix on low for about 30 seconds and then increase to medium speed for two minutes (the batter will still be a bit lumpy).


Spoon the batter into prepared muffin pan and bake at 350 for about 25 minutes or until a toothpick registers done in the center cupcake. Remove the cupcakes and cool completely on a baking rack.


Once the cupcakes have cooled, make the icing and ice the cupcakes.


Lime buttercream frosting:
3 tablespoons butter, softened
1 teaspoon half-and-half
1/2 teaspoon grated lime rind
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 1/3 cups powdered sugar, sifted


Combine 3 tablespoons butter and next 3 ingredients (through juice) in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating just until smooth. Spread about 2 1/2 teaspoons frosting onto each cupcake.


Tip: I spooned the frosting into a ziploc then snipped off a corner of bag. This makes for super duper easy frosting of the cupcakes. Also, it looks better then just smearing it on top (that's how I got the cute little swirls on mine)


{Review}
All I can say is yum!
FYI: I added a bit more lime juice then the recipe calls for. I didnt think the 1 tbs gave it enough lime flavor. I just kept squeezing more in until it tasted right.


{Time}
30min