Margarita Cupcakes

• 3 cups flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 12 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, room temp
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs, room temp
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 tablespoons tequila
• 3 limes, juice and zest
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 8 egg whites
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 pinch coarse salt
• 1 12 cups butter, unsalted room temp
• 2 -3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 -3 tablespoons tequila
• 1 lime, zest of (optional)
• green sugar (optional)

1. for the cupcakes:.
2. sift flour, baking powder and salt.
3. cream butter and sugar about 3 minutes until fluffy.
4. add eggs 1 at a time, mixing between each one.
5. add vanilla, lime juice, tequila and zest, mix to combine.
6. add flour and buttermilk alternately, beginning and ending with the flour.
7. fill cupcake cups and bake at 325 for 22-25 minutes.
8. cool 10 minutes in pans then completely on racks.
9. for the buttercream:.
10. combine egg whites, sugar and salt in stand mixer bowl (metal) over a pot of simmering water- water shouldn't touch the bowl.
11. whisk until sugar dissolves- use your fingers to test, it won't be too hot to touch and you shouldn't feel any sugar grains.
12. if you take the temp it should be about 160.
13. place the bowl back in the mixer with the whisk attachment and beat medhigh/high until stiff and glossy and cool (about 8-10 minutes, dont worry this is one time you can't over beat).
14. when the bowl and whites are cooled add butter- room temp but cool, not too soft- 2 tbs at a time until it's all added.
15. it might look liquidy but just keep beating.
16. it might then look curdled, keep on beating., if it's really not thickening put it in the fridge for 15-30 minutes, take it out and whip it again, still on med-high.
17. it should be smooth and satiny.
18. add the tequila and lime with the mixer going
19. when cupcakes are completely cool pipe frosting generously
20. * to amp up the margarita flavor brush cooled cupcakes with tequila before frosting and rub lime zest into the green (or white) sugar until fragrant.
21. sprinkle over frosted cupcakes- ad a little salt if you like it too!

flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, vanilla, tequila, buttermilk, egg whites, sugar, coarse salt, butter, lime juice, tequila, lime, green sugar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/margarita-cupcakes-458555 (may not work)