Go Back
–+ servings
Strawberry lime cupcakes with pink frosting and lime wedges on wooden tray.

Cinco de Mayo Strawberry Lime Cupcakes

These cupcakes are basically a fiesta in paper liners—bright lime cake, fluffy strawberry frosting, and just enough sass to steal the dessert table. Inspired by margarita flavors but totally party-friendly, they work just as well with or without tequila.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Dessert
Servings 24 Cupcakes

EQUIPMENT (PAID LINKS)

Ingredients
  

Cupcakes

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter softened
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2 tablespoons lime zest
  • ½ cup milk
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Green food coloring optional

Strawberry Frosting

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 6 tablespoons strawberry syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons tequila optional
  • 3½ cups powdered sugar

Garnish (optional)

  • Lime wedges

Instructions

  • Preheat and Prepare: Preheat the oven to 300°F and line a cupcake pan with liners. Using a slightly lower temperature helps keep the cupcakes light and tender.
  • Cream Butter and Sugar: Beat the butter and granulated sugar together until pale and fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the bowl as needed.
    2 sticks unsalted butter, 2 cups granulated sugar
  • Add Eggs and Lime: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the lime zest so the citrus flavor is evenly distributed.
    6 large eggs, 2 tablespoons lime zest
  • Mix the Batter: Add the milk, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed just until combined, then briefly increase to medium speed to smooth out the batter.
    ½ cup milk, 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
  • Color the Batter: Add a few drops of green food coloring if using and mix until you reach a soft lime-green color. This step is optional and purely visual.
    Green food coloring
  • Fill and Bake: Fill the cupcake liners about three-quarters full with batter and bake for 20 to 22 minutes, rotating the pan halfway through, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  • Cool Completely: Transfer the cupcakes to a wire rack and let them cool completely before adding the frosting.
    Lime cupcakes cooling on wire rack over green cloth on marble countertop.
  • Make the Frosting Base: Beat the butter, strawberry syrup, vanilla extract, and tequila until smooth and fluffy. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila or replace it with milk, lime juice, or clear vanilla extract.
    1 cup unsalted butter, 6 tablespoons strawberry syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 2 tablespoons tequila
  • Adjust Consistency: Add the powdered sugar gradually, mixing until the frosting is smooth, thick, and easy to pipe. If the frosting is too soft, add more powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time.
    3½ cups powdered sugar
  • Frost and Garnish: Pipe the frosting onto the cooled cupcakes and garnish with lime wedges if desired. Serve immediately or chill briefly to help the frosting set.
    Lime wedges