Margarita Cupcakes

Saturday night was another book club evening, and this one was special. It was the one year birthday of the book club. Why all the excitement you ask? For this group of women, the one year mark is a big deal. You see, we are busy are women who have families, jobs, spouses, and significant others; women who take on more than they should, do more for everyone than they do for themselves and forget the importance of “me” time.  But, one day a month, we put all of that aside and gather together with great food, great cocktails and great stories.

At the beginning of our club Michelle, the founder, explained she had experienced many failed book clubs because life just got in the way. We all vowed it wouldn’t happen to this club, no it would be a success! And it has been. For twelve months we have gathered together to talk about the book choice, share life’s journey and support one another. And it was for this happy occasion that I had to make something tasty to eat and that also felt like a celebration….CUPCAKES it was!

These cupcakes…THESE cupcakes are the dessert version of a margarita. A lime flavored caked with tequila baked in, piled high with lime cream cheese frosting and topped with green sugar--Oh. My. Goodness! Say it with me….YUMM!

As many of you know I am not a huge supporter of the boxed cake mix, however I have still not found that perfect homemade white cake recipe that carries over into a cupcake with the light texture I desire. Because of this, I will submit to a white cake mix when necessary and in my book Margarita cupcakes are NECESSARY! So, implore you all to make these for your next grown up gathering and ENJOY!

Margarita Cupcakes with Tequila Lime Cream Cheese Frosting
Recipe Source: A Cook's Quest with the help of multiple online recipes

Cupcakes:

**Cook's note-I used margarita mix that included tequila.  If you prefer to use non-alcoholic that will be tasty too!**

1 white boxed cake mix
2 limes zested
juice of two limes
10 oz. margarita mix with tequila included
3 egg whites
1/4 c. vegetable oil

Preheat oven to 350 F.
In a large bowl combine all the cake ingredients and mix for 30 seconds.  Scrape the sides of the bowl and continue mixing on medium speed for 3 minutes.  Pour into prepared or lined muffin tins until 3/4 full.  Bake 16-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Remove from pan and allow to cool completely

Frosting:

**Cooks note-this will make a lot of frosting.  I had plenty left over after decorating my cupcakes.  It could easily be cut in half but I like to have too much frosting rather than too little so I plan on using it on a cake or cookies in a few days.**

1/2 cup margarita mix
zest of one lime
juice of one lime
8 oz cream cheese
8 T butter softened
4-6 cups powdered sugar

In a large mixer bowl (I used my kitchen aide) combine the margarita mix and 4 cups of powdered sugar.  Once sugar is dissolved the mixture will be very thick.  Add the lime zest and lime juice.  Mix well using the whisk attachment on your mixer. On high speed add in the cream cheese 1 oz at a time, then follow with the butter the same way.  Continue mixing on high speed until the frosting is light and fluffy.  If needed, add more powdered sugar to tighten up the frosting.  This is important if you want to decorate with your frosting.  At this point it can go into the refrigerator until needed.  Just make sure to remove it about 10-15 minutes before you plan to frost your cupcakes and mix with your mixer to fluff it back up.

Place frosting in a piping bag fitted with your desired tip.  Frost the cupcakes as desired and sprinkle with green sugar or lime zest.  Enjoy!

**Cook's Note-It will be much more cost effective to use the non-alcoholic mix (off the shelf or frozen concentrate) but I wanted the real deal to celebrate :)