These cupcakes take everything you love about a margarita—lime, salt, sweetness—and transform it into dessert. The base is a soft, lime-scented cupcake with a subtle mango swirl or filling, then they’re topped with a whipped strawberry-lime buttercream that tastes like sunshine.
Serve them chilled or room temp with a sprinkle of sugar-lime zest for the margarita glass effect. They’re fun, festive, and just fancy enough to impress.
Why You’ll Love These Cupcakes
- Light, fluffy, and citrusy with tropical fruit flavor
- Gorgeous color and flavor from real strawberries and mango
- Alcohol-free and halal-friendly (but can easily go boozy if you want!)
- Perfect for summer parties or fun celebrations
- Easy to decorate and hard to mess up
Time & Yield
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Bake Time: 18–20 minutes
- Cool + Decorate Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: ~90 minutes
- Yield: 12 cupcakes
- Calories per cupcake: ~320
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons lime zest
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup whole milk or buttermilk
- ⅓ cup mango puree or finely diced ripe mango
For the Strawberry Margarita Buttercream:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons strawberry puree (fresh or frozen and thawed)
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- Pinch of salt
- Optional: ½ teaspoon tequila or rum extract (for mocktail flavor!)
Optional garnish: sugar-lime zest rim, sliced strawberries, mini umbrellas
How to Make Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes
1. Make the Cupcake Batter
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Beat in eggs, one at a time. Add lime zest, lime juice, and vanilla.
- Alternate adding flour mixture and milk, starting and ending with flour. Mix until just combined.
- Gently fold in mango puree or diced mango.
2. Bake
- Divide batter evenly between cupcake liners (about 2/3 full).
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.
- Let cool in the pan for 5 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
Want to level up? Core the cupcakes after baking and fill with mango puree before frosting.
3. Make the Strawberry Margarita Frosting
- Beat butter until smooth and creamy.
- Add powdered sugar ½ cup at a time, beating well between additions.
- Add strawberry puree, lime juice, zest, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy and pink.
- Adjust texture: add more sugar to thicken or a splash of cream to loosen.
4. Decorate
- Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes (use a star tip for flair).
- Garnish with a strawberry slice, sprinkle of lime sugar, or a festive drink umbrella!
How to Make Lime Sugar Rim (Optional but SO cute)
- Mix 2 tablespoons sugar with ½ teaspoon lime zest.
- Dip the edge of the frosting (or the cupcake itself!) in a little lime juice, then into the lime sugar.
Variations
- Make it boozy: Add 1 teaspoon tequila or rum to the frosting for an adult twist
- Use a strawberry jam center: Instead of mango, fill cupcakes with a dollop of strawberry jam
- Vegan version: Use plant-based butter, milk, and egg replacer
- Gluten-free: Sub your favorite 1:1 GF flour blend
Storage
- Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- Room temp: Okay for 1 day if it’s not too hot.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost when ready.
FAQ
Can I use store-bought mango or strawberry puree?
Totally! Just make sure it’s not overly watery—reduce it slightly on the stove if needed.
Is this recipe halal?
Yes—no alcohol used! Just skip boozy garnishes and use halal-friendly flavor extracts if desired.
Can I make these ahead?
Absolutely! Bake the cupcakes a day before, frost right before serving for the freshest look.
Can I use cream cheese in the frosting?
Yes! Replace ¼ cup of butter with softened cream cheese for a tangier, richer flavor.
Final Thoughts
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are summer in dessert form—bright, juicy, sweet, and totally fun. Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, hosting a BBQ, or just craving something fruity and festive, these cupcakes will bring the sunshine.
