Strawberry Margarita Cake with Tequila Frosting

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This Strawberry Margarita Cake is absolutely amazing. Tasting like a sweet combination of strawberries and lime, with a burst of tequila, this delicious layer cake is going to make you happy. Moist and tender, this lime and strawberry cake is absolutely amazing.

We love making margarita cake recipes and you will also want to check out our Blackberry Margarita Sheet Cake, Margarita Cake!

Strawberry Margarita Cake

Strawberry Margarita Cake

If you are looking for a cake that is perfect for Taco Tuesday or Cinco de Mayo, this Strawberry Margarita Cake is the best. With all the best flavors of a margarita, this cake has strawberry and lime flavors, not to mention tequila. Pair this cake with Slow Cooker Queso Chicken Tacos, Dorito Taco Salad, or Easy Taco Ring with Crescent Rolls for the best dinner ever.

cake with lime and strawberry

Ingredients You Will Need

(full amounts in Recipe Box below)

  • White Cake Mix – using cake mix instead of making the cake from scratch saves time. We also give you a “from scratch” recipe below.
  • Egg Whites – These eggs do not need to be room temperature.
  • Canola Oil – the canola oil can be changed to vegetable oil without affecting the cake.
  • Lime Juice and Zest – You will need both lime zest and lime juice for this recipe.
  • Unsalted butter- I always recommend using unsalted butter because it lets you control the amount of salt in the recipe.
  • Triple Sec- Another flavoring with a kick.
  • Powdered sugar- Powdered sugar is the type of sugar that works best with frosting
  • Strawberry puree- You might be able to find strawberry puree on its own or you can make some by putting fresh or frozen strawberries in the food processor.
  • Sugar sprinkles- These are part of the decorating.
  • Fresh strawberries and lime slices.

How to Make a Strawberry Margarita Cake (easy version)

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray your three 9″ round cake pans with baking spray, set aside
  • Using a standing mixer, beat together until combined the cake mix, egg
    whites, water, and canola oil until combined
  • Whisk in the lime juice, and lime zest
  • Divide the batter evenly between the three cake pans
  • Bake in the oven for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean
  • Allow to cool completely

The EASY boxed cake version does NOT have tequila included. However, the “from scratch cake” does have tequila included. Alcohol added to cake batter cooks out when baked. You will get the kick of alcohol from the frosting which is used for both versions.

Decorate the Cake

  • Use a cake leveler, remove the domes from the cakes.
  • Place the first cake layer on the cake board and smooth 1 cup of frosting over the cake.
  • Place the 2nd layer on top and repeat.
  • Add the 3rd layer on top and frost the entire cake.
  • Use the piping bag to pipe frosting on the top of the cake.
  • Place slices of lime and strawberries on the cake.
  • Add lime zest over the top of the cake.
  • Place into the fridge for an hour to allow the frosting to harden up a bit and then cut it into slices to serve.

Is This Safe for Kids to Eat?

This recipe has tequila in the cake frosting so I would say no. You can always leave out the alcohol, but that changes the unique flavor of this delicious margarita cake.

Does Margarita Cake Have to be Refrigerated?

Since this cake has fresh fruit in it and on top, I like to store it in the refrigerator. If the cake will be eaten, fully, with no leftovers in a few hours of serving, it can be left out. However, I would recommend storing any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Strawberry Margarita Cake

From Scratch Recipe

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1  tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup tequila
  • 3 tbsp lime zest
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line three 9-inch cake pans with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides with butter.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
  3. Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add the egg whites and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined.
  5. Spoon in about a third of the flour mixture to the batter and beat on medium speed until combined.
  6. Pour in the milk and beat until combined.
  7. Add another third of the flour mixture to the batter and beat on medium speed until combined.
  8. Pour in the lime juice, tequila and lime zest and beat on until combined.
  9. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat until combined and smooth.
  10. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and spread evenly.
  11. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean. The tops might be a little browned and that’s okay.
  12. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.
Strawberry Margarita Cake

More Delicious Layer Cake Recipes

Strawberry Margarita Cake
4.98 from 43 votes

Strawberry Margarita Cake

This Strawberry Margarita Cake is absolutely amazing. Tasting like a sweet combination of strawberries and lime, with a burst of tequila, this delicious layer cake is going to make you happy. Moist and tender, this lime and strawberry cake is absolutely amazing.
Servings: 12
Prep: 2 hours 30 minutes
Cook: 25 minutes
Decorating Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total: 40 minutes

Ingredients
  

White Cake

  • 2 boxes white cake mix
  • 8 large Egg whites
  • 2 1/2 cups water
  • 1 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lime juice
  • 3 large limes zested

Strawberry Lime Frosting

  • 1 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 4 tablespoons tequila
  • 2 tablespoons triple sec
  • 4 tablespoons strawberry puree prepared
  • 9 cups confectioners sugar sifted
  • 2 teaspoons lime zest

Instructions

Cake Directions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray your three (9 inch) round cake pans with cooking spray, set aside.
  • Using a standing mixer, beat together the cake mix, egg whites, water, and canola oil until combined.
  • Whisk in the lime juice, and lime zest until incorporated.
  • Divide the batter evenly between the three prepared cake pans.
  • Bake in the oven for 25-28 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.
  • Allow to cool completely.

Strawberry Tequila Lime Frosting

  • Using a standing mixer, combine all ingredients into the mixer and beat until combined, smooth and stiff with peaks.
  • Scoop 1 Cup of frosting into the piping bag and set aside

Decorating directions

  • Using the cake leveler, remove the domes from the cakes to level them out
  • Place one cake round onto the cake board
  • Scoop 1 Cup of frosting onto the cake and smooth evenly
  • Place the second cake round onto the top of the frosting
  • Scoop 1 Cup of frosting onto the second cake layer and smooth evenly
  • Place the last cake round onto the top of the frosting
  • Using the remaining frosting, frost entire cake
  • Pipe dollops of frosting onto the top of the cake
  • Place Lime and strawberry slices onto the frosting
  • Zest a lime all over the top of the cake
  • Place into the fridge for an hour to allow the frosting to harden up a bit
  • Cut into slices and enjoy!

Last Step:

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Notes

From Scratch Recipe

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 tsp baking soda
  • 2 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 4 egg whites
  • 1  tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 1/2 cup tequila
  • 3 tbsp lime zest
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line three 8-inch cake pans with parchment paper in the bottom and grease the sides with butter.
  2. Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium sized bowl. Set aside.
  3. Cream the butter and sugar in a large bowl until fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Add the egg whites and vanilla and beat on medium speed until well combined.
  5. Spoon in about a third of the flour mixture to the batter and beat on medium speed until combined.
  6. Pour in the milk and beat until combined.
  7. Add another third of the flour mixture to the batter and beat on medium speed until combined.
  8. Pour in the lime juice, tequila and lime zest and beat on until combined.
  9. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat until combined and smooth.
  10. Divide the batter evenly between the cake pans and spread evenly.
  11. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cakes comes out clean. The tops might be a little browned and that’s okay.
  12. Remove the cakes from the oven and allow to cool for a few minutes, then remove to a cooling rack to cool completely.

Nutrition

Calories: 989kcal | Carbohydrates: 164g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 18g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 7g | Monounsaturated Fat: 19g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 61mg | Sodium: 642mg | Potassium: 136mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 126g | Vitamin A: 723IU | Vitamin C: 11mg | Calcium: 207mg | Iron: 2mg

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44 comments on “Strawberry Margarita Cake with Tequila Frosting”

  1. Beverly Hamrick

    I don’t like to waste the yolks. can you use eggs whites in the package in the dairy section?

  2. This cake is AMAZING!!! Just like you said in the first paragraph. I have one concern after making it twice. I printed your from scratch recipe but for some reason it prints a double recipe. I printed it from your website. I also made it in mini bundt cakes and then cupcakes. First time baking it was good but second time I used cake flour because I didn’t have enough AP flour and it was even better. Anyway I just wanted to let you know how good this was. My parents owned a bakery when I was growing up so if any one needs a cake, cupcakes, etc…they call me. This will be going in my recipe file.

  3. 5 stars
    I made the boxed cake version of this for Sunday dinner dessert this past weekend and it was a HIT! I adjusted a few of the ingredients along the way to my liking but overall such Great beginning of the summer recipe!

  4. Had this on the weekend using the scratch cake recipe and it was delicious

    But if using the 2 boxes of cake mix can you substitute 1/2 cup of tequila and use 2 cups of water instead.

  5. WOW!!! Wish I had seen this before my Birthday last April. I would have shown it to my daughter, so she could have made me one.

  6. 4 stars
    Made this yesterday! The frosting was super sweet, but after 24 hours in the fridge it was a lot tastier today. I was surprised at the texture of the cake. It was the scratch recipe, and mine came out very dense and heavy. Was it supposed to? It tastes more like a shortcake to me, which I really like but just wasnt expecting. Fun dessert! Thanks for recipe 🙂

    1. My cake was very dense as well, but I find that to be typical with cakes made from scratch ❤️

  7. Penny Brinegar

    I chose to make my cake from scratch to use gluten free flour. Most difficult part was getting 3 T of lime zest.

  8. Latasha Payne

    I was wondering the same thing about subbing out for Rum. I have that in right now and some frozen strawberry puree I made for a cake a couple of months ago. One good tip is to get a real good lime flavor,mix the zest with the sugar and let sit of a few mins before making the cake. Also I would add some dehydrated strawberries in the icing and a lil bit of puree

  9. Tequila is listed in the cake recipe. Not in the one where you use box cake mix. Scroll down for the recipe. 

  10. I made the cakes from scratch and they turned out amazing, so flavorful. However, when I made the icing (attempted to make) it never became stiff and peaked. I made three batches until I was out of powdered sugar and they all came out the same a pile of runny mush…. was super bummed. Not sure what I did wrong I followed recipe exactly.

    1. Maybe your butter was too soft (on the verge of melted)? Or, did you use too much other liquid? Also, Strawberries are very watery, maybe try adding one tbsp less. I’m willing to bet it was the better though. Worst case scenario, you can try to cool it for a while to stiffen it up. Good luck!

  11. What happened to the recipe made from scratch? I went out and bought the ingredients and now the ingredients are gone and replaced with box cake? Where is the fun in that? May I have the recipe from the original post please and thank you

    1. Hi Lori, we added both. The “from scratch” and easier version “cake mix” are now listed.

  12. I make many “cocktail” cakes, I always make a cocktail and brush it into the cake layers after they have been baked.

  13. Jonni Streeter

    Recipe isn’t correct; Tequila is only listed in icing ingredients but NOT in cake ingredients but article states 1 Cup is used in cake batter….

  14. 5 stars
    This looks & sounds delicious but I don’t see where there is tequila in the batter?… just the frosting…??  Please explain. 

  15. 5 stars
    We made this for mother’s day. It was amazing!! I think I will always use tequila in my icings now.