Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
If you love vibrant, summery desserts that bring pure joy to every bite, the Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe is about to become your new obsession. With fluffy citrus-laced cake, a surprise strawberry filling, and creamy strawberry-lime frosting dusted in margarita-inspired flair, these cupcakes turn any gathering into a celebration. Whether you add a splash of tequila for a grown-up twist or keep them kid-friendly, each bite bursts with the sweet warmth of sunshine and tropical fruit. Perfect for parties, cookouts, or a fun baking project, this recipe is a showstopper that you’ll want to share with everyone you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe comes together with a handful of fresh, easily found ingredients, each bringing essential flavor, texture, or a vibrant pop of color. These simple staples combine into a treat that’s anything but ordinary.
- All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and light crumb that make these cupcakes tender.
- Baking Powder: Gives the cupcakes their delightful lift, making them fluffy and soft.
- Salt: A subtle pinch balances the sweetness and enhances the fruit flavors.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds richness and creaminess both to the cake and the luscious frosting.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cupcakes without overpowering the fresh fruit flavors.
- Eggs: Binds the batter and creates a moist, airy crumb.
- Vanilla Extract: Provides a warm undertone that makes the fruity flavors pop.
- Lime Zest & Juice: Bring zippy citrus notes that mirror a classic margarita.
- Milk: Ensures a moist, tender cupcake texture.
- Puréed Mango: Delivers tropical sweetness and gorgeous color—ripe fresh or thawed frozen mango both work.
- Tequila (Optional): For a true margarita spirit, a dash of tequila makes these cupcakes party-ready; skip for a kid-friendly version.
- Strawberry Preserves or Fresh Strawberries (Filling): Tucks a nugget of sweet, fruity surprise into every bite.
- Powdered Sugar: Gives the frosting its silky, dreamy finish.
- Puréed Strawberries: Colors and flavors the frosting with bursts of berry brightness.
- Coarse Sugar or Sea Salt (for Garnish): A playful nod to a classic margarita’s salt rim.
- Lime Wedges, Diced Mango or Strawberry Slices (Garnish): Fun, fresh toppers to finish each cupcake with a splash of color.
How to Make Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Oven and Pans
Begin by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining a standard 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners. This gives your cupcakes structure and makes cleanup a breeze. Gathering and preparing everything first makes the rest of the Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe fun and stress-free!
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures an even rise and helps keep the finished cupcakes light and tender, without any clumps. A good whisk here means you can fold them easily into the wet ingredients later.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until pale and fluffy—this takes about two minutes and is key for a light, airy texture. Creaming incorporates air, giving your cupcakes that lovely delicate crumb.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Vanilla, and Lime
Now add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Follow with the vanilla extract, lime zest, and lime juice. The sugar-citrus-butter aroma at this stage is irresistible and sets the flavor foundation for the Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe.
Step 5: Mix in Mango and Tequila
Stir in the mango purée and tequila (if using), mixing just until incorporated. The mango weaves juicy tropical flavor into every bite, while the tequila, if included, adds a subtle margarita kick.
Step 6: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Alternate adding your flour mixture and milk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently after each addition—just enough to bring the batter together. Overmixing can make cupcakes dense, so a light hand is your friend here.
Step 7: Bake
Divide the batter evenly among liners (they’ll be about two-thirds full) and pop the pan into the oven. Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the cupcakes rise and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. The golden scent wafting from your kitchen is almost as good as tasting one!
Step 8: Core and Fill Cupcakes
Once cooled, use a paring knife or cupcake corer to scoop out a small center from each cupcake. Fill each hollow with about a teaspoon of strawberry preserves or finely diced fresh strawberries. This surprise filling adds an extra burst of berry goodness to the Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe and makes every cupcake a little gift.
Step 9: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar and mix until smooth. Blend in tequila (if using), lime juice, puréed strawberries, and a pinch of salt. Keep beating until the frosting is fluffy and vibrant. The color alone will make you smile.
Step 10: Frost and Garnish
Pipe or spread the frosting over each filled cupcake. If you’d like, finish with lime wedges, a sparkle of coarse sugar or sea salt, and a few tiny mango or strawberry pieces. These little touches echo a well-garnished margarita—playful, festive, and totally irresistible.
How to Serve Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
Garnishes
Top each cupcake with a wedge of fresh lime, a sprinkle of coarse sugar or sea salt, and colorful bits of diced mango or sliced strawberries for pure eye-candy appeal. These finishing touches don’t just look fabulous—they add their own burst of flavor and enhance the cocktail-inspired vibe of this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe. Feel free to get creative with edible flowers or tiny umbrellas for extra party points!
Side Dishes
Since these cupcakes radiate sunny, tropical energy, serve them on a dessert buffet with fresh fruit skewers, tangy citrus sorbet, or a platter of salty tortilla chips and salsa to balance the sweetness. They also play off classic Mexican flavors, making them a fantastic finale for taco night or Cinco de Mayo celebrations.
Creative Ways to Present
For a festive twist, display the cupcakes on a tiered stand rimmed with coarse salt and lime zest, just like a margarita glass. You can also nestle each cupcake in a colorful paper liner or serve them in tiny margarita glasses. Arrange finished cupcakes in a circle and tuck in edible flowers or sliced citrus for a stunning centerpiece worthy of any celebration.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place any leftover Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe in an airtight container and refrigerate. Since the filling and frosting are fruit-based and perishable, chilling helps keep them fresh and flavorful for up to 3 days. Bring cupcakes to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
Freezing
You can freeze the unfrosted cupcakes (without filling or decoration) for up to 2 months. Wrap each cooled cupcake tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature, then fill and frost as usual for a make-ahead treat that tastes freshly baked.
Reheating
If you’d like to gently warm the cupcakes to bring out extra softness, microwave an unwrapped cupcake for about 5–10 seconds. Avoid heating those with frosting or garnish, as the buttercream may melt; simply let chilled cupcakes sit at room temperature for 30–60 minutes to restore their tender crumb.
FAQs
Can I leave out the tequila?
Absolutely! The Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe is just as delicious without tequila. It’s perfectly fine to omit it for a kid-friendly (or alcohol-free) version—just add a little extra lime juice for more zing.
Can I use frozen mango and strawberries?
Yes! Thaw frozen fruit before using, then purée as directed. This makes it easy to enjoy these cupcakes year-round, no matter the season or market availability.
How do I make them gluten-free?
Swap the all-purpose flour for your favorite gluten-free blend—look for a 1:1 replacement that includes xanthan gum for best results. Cupcakes may be a touch more delicate but still incredibly delicious.
Can I make the cupcakes ahead and freeze with the filling?
It’s best to freeze cupcakes without filling or frosting, as fruit fillings may become watery after thawing. Fill and frost after thawing for optimal flavor and texture in your Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe.
What piping tip works best for the frosting?
A large open star tip or round tip both work beautifully for big, bold swirls. No piping bag? Just spread frosting with a spatula for a charming, homemade look.
Final Thoughts
I can’t wait for you to gather your ingredients, fill your kitchen with the sweet scent of citrus and berries, and delight everyone you know with this Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe. It’s playful, vibrant, and packed with joy—perfect for making memories, big smiles, and new favorite traditions. Give it a try and bring a taste of sunshine to your next celebration!
Print
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: 12 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a delightful twist on a classic treat, combining the tropical flavors of mango and lime with a hint of tequila. Filled with strawberry goodness and topped with a luscious strawberry-lime frosting, these cupcakes are perfect for any festive occasion.
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lime zest
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup puréed mango (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- 2 tablespoons tequila (optional)
For the Filling:
- 1/2 cup strawberry preserves or finely chopped strawberries
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon tequila (optional)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1/4 cup puréed strawberries
- pinch of salt
For Garnish (optional):
- Lime wedges
- coarse sugar or sea salt for dusting
- diced mango or strawberry slices
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add wet ingredients: Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice. Stir in mango purée and tequila.
- Combine wet and dry: Alternately add dry ingredients and milk to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Divide batter into liners and bake.
- Fill cupcakes: Once cooled, remove a portion from the center of each cupcake and fill with strawberry preserves or chopped strawberries.
- Make frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar, tequila, lime juice, strawberry purée, and salt. Frost cupcakes.
- Garnish and serve: Decorate with lime wedges, sugar or salt, and fruit pieces. Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
- Omit tequila for a kid-friendly version.
- For extra flavor, brush baked cupcakes with tequila before frosting.
- Keep refrigerated if not serving the same day.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cupcake
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 19g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 47g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
