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Margarita Cake Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 59 reviews

A refreshing and zesty Margarita Cake featuring layers of lime-infused cake soaked with tequila syrup, filled with smooth lime curd, and frosted with a tangy tequila lime buttercream. Perfect for celebrations, this cake combines citrus brightness with a boozy twist for a deliciously unique dessert.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Lime Cake

  • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 whole eggs
  • 2 egg whites
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup whole milk
  • 1/3 cup lime juice
  • 2 tablespoons lime zest

For the Lime Curd

  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 1/3 cup cold butter, cut into cubes

For the Tequila Syrup

  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup water
  • 1/4 cup Tequila

For the Tequila Lime Buttercream

  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 2 tablespoons lime zest
  • 2 cups (4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 6–7 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 4 tablespoons Tequila
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Green and yellow gel food color, optional

For Decoration

  • Lime slices, cut in half
  • Coarse sea salt

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cake Pans and Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease three 6-inch round cake pans with cooking spray and line the bottoms with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a stand mixer bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, granulated sugar, salt, and baking powder to remove clumps and evenly distribute ingredients.
  3. Add Butter and Eggs: Using the paddle attachment, mix on low speed while adding the unsalted butter until the mixture resembles sand. Then add eggs one at a time along with vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. Scrape down the bowl sides as needed.
  4. Incorporate Milk and Lime: Combine the whole milk and lime juice. Pour immediately into the batter along with lime zest. Beat on medium speed for 30 seconds until smooth, creamy, and fluffy. Scrape the bowl sides again.
  5. Bake the Cake Layers: Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  6. Cool the Cakes: Remove from oven and cool in pans for 10 minutes. Invert cakes onto wire racks to cool completely. Wrap each cake tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for 30 minutes to firm up for easier assembly.
  7. Make Lime Curd: In a medium saucepan over low-medium heat, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, sugar, lime zest, and lime juice until sugar dissolves. Gradually add cold butter cubes, stirring after each addition until melted and incorporated.
  8. Cook Lime Curd: Continue to cook, stirring frequently for 4-5 minutes until the curd thickens and coats the back of a spatula. Remove from heat, press plastic wrap directly on the curd surface to prevent a skin, and cool completely.
  9. Prepare Tequila Syrup: In a small saucepan, combine granulated sugar and water over medium heat. Cook for about 5 minutes until sugar dissolves fully. Remove from heat, stir in tequila, and set aside to cool.
  10. Make Lime Gel for Frosting: Whisk together lime juice, cornstarch, and lime zest in a small saucepan. Heat over medium, stirring constantly, until mixture boils and thickens into a translucent gel. Refrigerate until fully cooled.
  11. Prepare Tequila Lime Buttercream: In a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat unsalted butter with the cooled lime gel on medium-high until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
  12. Add Powdered Sugar and Flavorings: On low speed, gradually add sifted powdered sugar, then tequila, salt, and vanilla extract. Mix until fully incorporated. Scrape down the bowl sides.
  13. Whip the Frosting: Increase speed to medium-high and beat the buttercream for 5 minutes until fluffy and light. Optionally add small amounts of green and yellow gel food coloring for a subtle tint, then mix on low speed for 2 minutes to remove air bubbles.
  14. Level Cake Layers and Soak: Trim the domed tops off the chilled cake layers to level them. Using a squeeze bottle or pastry brush, soak each layer evenly with tequila syrup and allow it to absorb for a few minutes before assembly.
  15. Assemble the Cake: Place the first cake layer cut side up on a cake board. Spread a thin layer of buttercream, pipe a ring of buttercream around the edge, and fill the center with 1/4 cup lime curd.
  16. Stack and Repeat: Place the next cake layer cut side down on top. Repeat buttercream and curd filling for the next layer and top with the final cake layer.
  17. Crumb Coat and Chill: Apply a thin crumb coat of buttercream to seal in crumbs. Freeze the cake for 20 minutes to firm the crumb coat.
  18. Final Frosting and Decoration: Add a thicker, smooth layer of frosting using a bench scraper to smooth the sides. Decorate the cake with halved lime slices and sprinkle coarse sea salt on top for garnish.

Notes

  • Freezing the cake layers before assembly makes them easier to handle and helps produce clean, even layers.
  • Pressing plastic wrap directly on the lime curd while cooling prevents a skin from forming, ensuring smooth texture.
  • Adjust the amount of tequila in the syrup and buttercream to taste but avoid overdoing it to keep the cake balanced and moist without being overly boozy.
  • The gel food coloring is optional and used only to give a subtle pastel tint to the buttercream – it does not affect flavor.
  • Ensure the lime gel used for the buttercream is completely cooled before mixing to prevent melting the butter.
  • Use fine lime zest for better texture without being overwhelming in the final cake.
  • The cake layers can be made a day ahead and frozen; assemble on the day of serving for best freshness.

Keywords: margarita cake, lime cake, tequila cake, lime curd, tequila buttercream, citrus cake, festive dessert

Find it online: https://cookcrisis.com/margarita-cake-recipe/