In The Kitchen: Margarita Cupcakes

Last Friday was a day that was not only circled in bright pink on my calendar, but also was adorned with 20 gold stars and a BIG hastily drawn smiley face....that if you look at it just so, kind of resembles Burt Reynolds.....

That particular square on the calendar deserved such bling and celebration, as it was my monthly night to step away from my full time job as Wife, Mother, Personal Chef, Personal Assistant, Janitor, Lawn Maintenance Manager, and Chauffeur, and play Bunco.....

or in the Case of August....the 3rd Annual Drunko.....

It is a night of guaranteed fun, most likely some competitive spirit....and someone might even pee their pants if it hits A+ status.....

It is motley crew this Bunco Group I belong too.......it's made up of both military and non military wives.....mothers and non mothers, working moms and SAHM's.....we are aged anywhere from 24 to 48....and have come from all over the country to this little corner of south jersey.....

and become friends....comrades....and support system.....

So this last Friday night took a rowdy group of 12 ladies......a summer poolside evening.....4 husbands acting as our handsome and ever vigilant bartenders....(I never had an empty drink) .....

and a down and dirty game of Bunco....

and we had ourselves one heck of a good time.....

I don't know of much that could taste more of summertime and crazy poolside Bunco than Muy Delicioso Margarita Cupcakes that are Fuera de este mundo....(out of this world)

I love making mine in mini cupcake size, because a) smaller is easier to handle when you are in the middle of a Bunco round....you can just cram the whole thing in, and keep your roll going, without missing a beat, and b) they are just so darn cute!

recipe adapted from Hostess With The Mostess and The Kitchen is my Playground

Ingredients

Cupcakes
1 box white Cake Mix
8 oz liquid margarita mix
2 oz tequila
1 oz grand marnier
3 egg whites
2 Tbs vegetable oil
1 Tbs grated lime zest

Margarita Buttercream Frosting

1/2 lb. (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
2 c. confectioners' sugar
3 T. fresh lime juice
1 T. Triple Sec
1 T. Cuervo Gold tequila
2 T. lime zest
1/16 to 1/8 tsp. salt, to taste

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 and prepare muffin cups

2. Combine margarita mix, Tequila and Grand Marnier in bowl.

3. In large bowl combine cake mix, egg whites, lime zest, vegetable oil, and margarita mixture. mix until smooth.

4. Spoon batter into muffin pans, making sure to fill each 2/3 full

5. Bake 20-24 minutes or until toothpick come out clean

Icing

1. In large bowl, beat butter until light and fluffy about 1 to 1 minute 30 seconds.

2. Add confectioners sugar 1/4 cup at a time, beating after each addition for just a few seconds, until all 2 cups are added. If you feel your icing is still not stiff enough, add more confectioners sugar 1 Tbs at at time, until you reach desired consistency.

3. Increase mixer to medium speed for a few minutes to make sure everything is combined. Turn mixer to low, while adding the remaining ingredients, starting with salt. Beat on low speed for a few minutes until fluffy. adjust salt to taste.

8 Spread icing on cupcakes that have been removed from oven and cooled completely on wire rack.

Now, you don't need a Boozey Summer night, with a bunch of crazy Bunco Chicks........

I think next time, I'll make them when I'm home alone, with nothing but me and my Real Houswives marathon...and a snoring dog laying next to me.....

now that's a party!

and next month's Bunco Theme......Gangsta....."Fo Real"