Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a tropical-inspired treat, bursting with fruity flavors and a hint of margarita magic. These cupcakes combine layers of strawberry and mango flavors, topped with a silky buttercream swirl, and finished with fresh lime wedges and strawberries. Whether you’re celebrating a festive occasion or just treating yourself, these cupcakes bring a fun and refreshing twist to dessert.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Tropical flavors – A delightful blend of strawberry and mango in every bite.
- Perfect for celebrations – A fun and festive dessert for parties and gatherings.
- Customizable – Can be made with or without tequila for a kid-friendly version.
- Beautiful presentation – The dual-flavored frosting and fruit garnish make these cupcakes stunning.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the Cupcakes:
- All-purpose flour – 3 ½ cups
- Caster sugar – 1 ¼ cups
- Baking powder – 3 teaspoons
- Fine salt – ½ teaspoon
- Unsalted butter (softened) – ½ cup
- Large eggs – 2
- Full cream milk – 1 ½ cups
- Vegetable oil – ½ cup
- Greek yogurt or sour cream – 2 tablespoons
- Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- Pink and red food gel – for strawberry flavor
- Strawberry flavoring – 1 teaspoon
- Yellow food gel – for mango flavor
- Mango flavoring – 1 teaspoon
- Tequila (optional) – 2 teaspoons
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream – 1 batch
- Pink/red food gel – for strawberry frosting
- Strawberry flavoring – to taste
- Yellow food gel – for mango frosting
- Mango flavoring – to taste
For Decoration:
- Granulated sugar – 1 cup (for decorating the rims)
- Limes – 10 (cut into 40 wedges)
- Strawberries – 10 (halved)
Directions
Making the Cupcakes:
- Preheat & Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a cupcake pan with liners.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and caster sugar.
- Prepare Wet Ingredients: In another bowl, mix butter, eggs, milk, vegetable oil, Greek yogurt (or sour cream), and vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until smooth.
- Divide Batter: Split the batter into two bowls. In one, add strawberry flavoring and pink/red food gel. In the other, add mango flavoring and yellow food gel. Mix each until evenly colored.
- Fill Liners: Spoon equal amounts of strawberry and mango batter into each cupcake liner, swirling slightly with a toothpick.
- Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely before frosting.
Making the Frosting:
- Prepare Buttercream: Make a batch of American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream.
- Color & Flavor: Divide into two bowls. Add strawberry flavoring and pink/red food gel to one, and mango flavoring and yellow food gel to the other.
- Swirl Frosting: Fill a piping bag with both frostings side by side to create a two-tone effect.
Decorating the Cupcakes:
- Frost Cupcakes: Pipe the swirled strawberry-mango frosting onto cooled cupcakes.
- Sugar Rim: Sprinkle granulated sugar around the frosting to mimic a margarita rim.
- Garnish: Top each cupcake with a lime wedge and a half-strawberry.
- Serve & Enjoy!
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 24 cupcakes
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Bake Time: 20 minutes
- Cooling & Decorating Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Variations
- Non-Alcoholic Version: Omit the tequila for a kid-friendly treat.
- Extra Citrus Kick: Add lime zest to the batter for a stronger margarita vibe.
- Frozen Margarita Cupcakes: Chill frosted cupcakes before serving for a refreshing twist.
- Chocolate Twist: Add white chocolate chips to the batter for an extra indulgence.
Storage/Reheating
- Storage: Keep cupcakes in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted cupcakes for up to 2 months. Thaw before decorating.
- Reheating: If cupcakes feel dry, microwave for 10 seconds to refresh them.
FAQs
Can I make these cupcakes without food coloring?
Yes! The food gels are optional and only for aesthetic purposes.
What’s the difference between American and Swiss Meringue Buttercream?
American buttercream is sweeter and easier to make, while Swiss Meringue Buttercream is silkier and less sweet.
Can I use fresh fruit instead of flavoring?
Yes! You can puree fresh strawberries and mangoes, but the texture may be slightly different.
Can I substitute the tequila with something else?
Lime juice can be used for a tangy, non-alcoholic alternative.
How do I get the perfect frosting swirl?
Use a piping bag with both frostings side by side for a beautiful two-tone effect.
Can I make mini cupcakes instead?
Yes! Adjust the baking time to 10-12 minutes for mini cupcakes.
What can I use instead of granulated sugar for the rim?
Try coarse sugar or edible glitter for a fun touch.
How do I keep my cupcakes moist?
Adding Greek yogurt or sour cream helps keep the cupcakes soft and moist.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
It’s best to bake the cupcakes right after preparing the batter for the best texture.
Can I add lime zest to the frosting?
Yes! Lime zest adds a fresh citrus flavor that complements the strawberry-mango mix.
Conclusion
Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a fun, fruity, and festive dessert that’s perfect for any celebration. With their vibrant flavors, swirled frosting, and margarita-inspired decorations, they’re sure to impress. Whether you’re making them for a party or just to treat yourself, these cupcakes will be a hit!
Print
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 cupcakes 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Strawberry Mango Margarita Cupcakes are a tropical delight, combining the fruity flavors of strawberry, mango, and a hint of tequila for a margarita-inspired twist! Moist and fluffy, these cupcakes are topped with a vibrant swirl of buttercream frosting and garnished with fresh lime wedges and strawberries. Perfect for parties, summer gatherings, or any festive occasion!
Ingredients
For the Cupcakes:
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 cups caster sugar
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup vegetable oil
- 2 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups full cream milk
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon strawberry flavoring
- Pink and red food gel (for strawberry batter)
- 1 teaspoon mango flavoring
- Yellow food gel (for mango batter)
- 2 teaspoons tequila (optional, for margarita flavor)
For the Buttercream Frosting:
- 1 batch American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream
- Pink/red food gel (for strawberry frosting)
- 1 teaspoon strawberry flavoring (for frosting)
- Yellow food gel (for mango frosting)
- 1 teaspoon mango flavoring (for frosting)
For Garnish:
- 10 limes, cut into 40 wedges
- 10 strawberries, halved
- 1 cup granulated sugar (for decoration, optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the Cupcake Batter:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a cupcake tray with 24 liners.
- In a large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt.
- In another bowl, whisk together butter, vegetable oil, eggs, milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and tequila (if using).
- Gradually add the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.
2. Create the Two Flavors:
- Divide the batter into two equal portions.
- In one bowl, add strawberry flavoring and a few drops of pink/red food gel, mixing until combined.
- In the other bowl, add mango flavoring and yellow food gel, mixing until combined.
3. Bake the Cupcakes:
- Spoon a layer of mango batter into each cupcake liner, then top with a layer of strawberry batter to create a two-tone effect.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow cupcakes to cool completely before frosting.
4. Make the Frosting & Decorate:
- Prepare American or Swiss Meringue Buttercream and divide it into two bowls.
- Tint one bowl with pink/red food gel and strawberry flavoring.
- Tint the other bowl with yellow food gel and mango flavoring.
- Transfer both frostings into a piping bag, side by side, to create a swirled effect when piped.
5. Garnish & Serve:
- Pipe a swirl of two-tone buttercream onto each cooled cupcake.
- Roll the rims of the cupcakes lightly in granulated sugar (optional, for a margarita rim effect).
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a strawberry half on top.
Notes
- For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila and replace it with orange juice for a citrus boost.
- Use a toothpick to create a beautiful marble effect in the batter before baking.
- If making ahead, store cupcakes in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cooling Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Cupcakes
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired, American
