If you love the flavor of a sunny beach cocktail and the fun of a homemade dessert, you’re going to fall head-over-heels for this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe. These cupcakes pack every bite with summery tang from lime, vibrant sweetness from fresh strawberries and mango, and just the right touch of tequila (if you’re feeling festive). With their cloud-like cream cheese frosting and tropical garnish, they’re the perfect showstopper for any party or weekend treat!
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering your ingredients for this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe is just as fun as baking it. Each item brings a burst of flavor, color, or decadent texture that transforms simple cupcakes into a memorable dessert. Take a moment to savor these fresh, zesty elements—they truly make all the difference!
- All-purpose flour: The essential base for a fluffy, sturdy cupcake crumb that can hold all your delicious mix-ins.
- Baking powder: Gives your cupcakes a lovely lift, making them light and airy.
- Salt: Just a pinch dials up all the other flavors—don’t skip it!
- Unsalted butter (softened): Creaming this with sugar is the secret to tender, rich cupcakes and silky frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Provides sweetness and helps create a soft texture when whipped with butter.
- Large eggs: Add structure and moisture for a perfect crumb.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the fruity flavors with warm, aromatic notes.
- Fresh lime juice: Delivers that signature margarita zing—freshly squeezed is a must!
- Tequila (optional): Adds a grown-up kick you’ll recognize from your favorite margarita; simply swap for more citrus juice if you prefer non-alcoholic.
- Milk: Keeps the batter moist and smooth, helping everything blend together.
- Finely diced fresh mango: Juicy pops of sweet mango make each bite feel like vacation.
- Finely diced fresh strawberries: These add natural color and gorgeous berry bursts—super important for the cupcake’s tropical personality.
- Cream cheese (softened): Essential for tangy-sweet, creamy-smooth frosting that pairs perfectly with the fruit flavors.
- Powdered sugar: Blends easily into the frosting for sweetness without grit.
- Pureed strawberries or mango (or a mix): Intensifies the fruity punch in your frosting—use whichever fruit you love most!
- Coarse sugar or salt for garnish: Rim your cupcakes like a true margarita glass for festive flair.
- Lime wedges, diced fruit, or strawberry slices (for garnish): The finishing touch—fresh, colorful, and totally irresistible.
How to Make Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Gear and Oven
To kick things off, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. The liners will keep your cupcakes from sticking and make them super easy to serve. Getting everything set up first means you’ll be ready for smooth, stress-free baking!
Step 2: Whisk Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This step ensures the leavening is evenly distributed, so every cupcake bakes up with the same delightful texture. It’s a simple, crucial move to guarantee bakery-worthy results at home!
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until it looks pale and fluffy—this should take about 2–3 minutes. This process traps air, giving your cupcakes their beautiful, tender crumb. Don’t rush it; a well-creamed base means a superior cupcake!
Step 4: Mix in Wet Ingredients
Add the eggs one at a time, blending well after each, then mix in the vanilla extract, fresh lime juice, and tequila if you’re using it. Each of these layers of liquid flavor gives your cupcakes that margarita-inspired zing and a hint of indulgence.
Step 5: Combine Everything
Alternate adding the dry flour mixture and the milk to your wet bowl, starting and ending with dry. Mix just until combined—overmixing can lead to tough cupcakes. Once your batter is almost done, gently fold in the diced mango and strawberries for sunshiny color and flavor in every bite.
Step 6: Bake the Cupcakes
Divide the batter evenly among your cupcake liners, filling each one about two-thirds full. Slide the tin into your preheated oven and bake for 18–20 minutes. When an inserted toothpick comes out clean, they’re ready! Let them cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before frosting.
Step 7: Make the Margarita Frosting
In a clean bowl, whip together softened butter and cream cheese until velvety smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar (to avoid a snowy mess), then blend in lime juice, tequila (if desired), and your pureed fruit. This frosting is light, tangy, and fears no ordinary cupcake!
Step 8: Frost and Garnish
Once the cupcakes have cooled, either pipe or generously spread the frosting on top. Sprinkle the edges with coarse sugar or salt for a true Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe finish, and crown each with a wedge of lime or a little fruit. Every cupcake should look as festive as a cocktail in paradise!
How to Serve Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
This is where you get to play bartender—in cupcake form! A dusting of coarse sugar or salt around the rim brings that iconic margarita vibe. Add a lime wedge, glossy bit of mango, or a juicy strawberry slice on top, and you’ve got a bakery-worthy treat that looks almost too pretty to eat.
Side Dishes
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe are the kind of dessert that shine bright on their own, but if you want to build a spread, serve them alongside a fresh fruit salad or a tangy citrus sorbet for even more tropical goodness. They’re also a dream finish after tacos or a summery grilled dinner!
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange your cupcakes on a platter rimmed with lime wedges and edible flowers. Or, if you’re brunch-bound, pop each cupcake into a cocktail glass lined with a tiny paper umbrella—the ultimate Margarita Cupcake surprise. Wherever you serve them, watch faces light up!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Got a few cupcakes left after your celebration? Store them in an airtight container in the fridge, and they’ll stay fresh for up to 3 days. Chilling helps the frosting stay perky and prevents the fruit from weeping, so each cupcake tastes just as dreamy as the day they were baked.
Freezing
You can absolutely freeze these cupcakes! Freeze the unfrosted cakes first, tightly wrapped, for up to a month. Thaw them at room temperature, and frost when ready to serve for the best texture and freshness. If you’ve already frosted them, we recommend a gentle wrap and short-term freezer storage—just be aware the texture may change slightly.
Reheating
Cupcakes are usually best at room temperature, especially with that luscious frosting. If you’d like to bring some life back to previously chilled cakes, let them sit out for 20–30 minutes before serving, so the frosting softens and all the flavors pop. No oven required!
FAQs
Can I make this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe without alcohol?
Absolutely! Just swap the tequila in both the batter and frosting for an extra splash of lime or orange juice. You’ll still get the classic margarita flavor—minus the spirits—making them perfect for kids or anyone avoiding alcohol.
What’s the best way to puree the strawberries or mango for the frosting?
The easiest method is to blend your diced fruit in a small food processor or blender until completely smooth. If your puree feels a little watery, strain it first for extra thick, fluffy frosting!
How do I know when my cupcakes are perfectly baked?
They’re ready when the tops spring back to the touch, and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs. Overbaking can dry them out, so keep an eye on them around the 18-minute mark.
Can I make mini cupcakes with this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe?
Definitely! Just fill mini cupcake liners about halfway and bake for 10–12 minutes, checking for doneness a bit earlier. They’re fantastic for parties or whenever you want a smaller bite of sunshine.
Can I use frozen fruit if fresh isn’t available?
You can use frozen mango and strawberries in a pinch, but thaw and drain them well before dicing. The flavors will still pop, though the color may be softer—perfect when fresh fruits are out of season.
Final Thoughts
Once you bake up this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe, you’ll see just how easy it is to bring a tropical party vibe to any occasion! Whether you share them with friends or keep them all to yourself (no judgment!), each bite delivers sunshine, tang, and pure cupcake joy. Give them a try—you’re in for a real treat!
Print
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a delightful fusion of flavors, combining the sweetness of fresh fruit with a hint of tequila. Perfect for summer gatherings or special occasions.
Ingredients
Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoons tequila (optional)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/3 cup finely diced fresh mango
- 1/3 cup finely diced fresh strawberries
Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 1 tablespoon tequila (optional)
- 1/4 cup pureed strawberries or mango (or a mix)
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Prepare the cupcake batter: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Cream the butter and sugar, mix in eggs, vanilla, lime juice, and tequila. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk, then fold in diced mango and strawberries.
- Bake the cupcakes: Divide batter into liners and bake for 18–20 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
- Make the frosting: Beat butter and cream cheese, add powdered sugar, lime juice, tequila, fruit puree, and salt. Beat until fluffy.
- Decorate the cupcakes: Pipe or spread frosting on cooled cupcakes. Garnish with sugar/salt, lime wedges, or fruit slices.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, substitute tequila with lime or orange juice.
- Best served the day they’re made but can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 360
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 17g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
