What is a Margarita Cake and Does it Contain Tequila?
When you hear the term “margarita cake,” it’s easy to get excited. After all, it’s rare that two words that each represent such joy are paired together. But the phrase does raise a few questions, including: What exactly is a margarita cake, and does it actually contain the alcohol that makes the cocktail famous? The answers to both of these questions aren’t so cut and dry, though. Just as the go-to dessert or iconic drink can come in a multitude of flavors, styles, and preparations, so can the margarita cake.
Sometimes the moniker is applied to layered confections made with lime and actually using tequila, while other times, like in a mango margarita cupcake, the tequila is completely absent. There are more variations with less expected ingredients like a Jell-O-based topping and a cake that uses crushed salted pretzels as a crust. With all these options, how do you know what qualifies as a margarita cake? Typically, one of the most consistent elements in recipes is some sort of lime component. Tequila is optional, but the important thing is to capture the refreshing spirit of this citrusy drink. With these general guidelines in mind, you can get pretty creative, but perhaps the first thing to do is decide whether you want to include alcohol.
Read more: Cake-Making Tips Every Baker Wishes They Knew Sooner
Tequila or no tequila
Tequila is optional and the alcohol is potent, so first make sure your guests are ready to be drenched (and won’t mind the alcohol). If you want tequila, some recipes call for it in the cake and others in a frosting or glaze. There are a few different methods for each, and how you incorporate the alcohol will determine how much punch it packs.
You can poke holes in your cake and simply pour tequila over the top, allowing the crumb to absorb the liquor, resulting in a deeply alcoholic bite. On the other hand, sugar can help temper the spiciness and tone down that tang a bit if you prefer. So you can also make a tequila-based simple syrup that you can brush over the surface of your cake, or mix the liquor into a buttercream or sweet frosting.
A beginner’s guide to tequila will also help you choose the type of tequila you want. Aged versions like reposado have a more woody, caramelized character, while blanco will likely have more citrus and spice. Anejo will be full-bodied and smoother, having been aged for longer. You can even get creative and opt for mezcal instead of tequila, which will add a hint of smokiness to your cake, and liqueurs like Grand Marnier and Triple Sec can also add flavor with a little less alcoholic heat.
Create Your Own Margarita Cake
For more flavorful variations, check out your list of favorite margaritas. Coconut, mango, pineapple, blood orange, and strawberry are all complementary flavors. A little kick might also be a welcome element, along the lines of a spicy margarita. You can add that punchy flavor in the form of diced jalapeño or habanero peppers. In these cases, a cornbread-style cake or one made with polenta works well, as the natural sweetness of the corn helps balance both the heat and the alcohol. Alternative sweeteners like honey or agave are also welcome additions to the margarita flavor profile and will help add depth to your cake that standard granulated sugar doesn’t.
You can use your recipe for cupcakes, or even turn it into a batch of margarita doughnuts. A pound cake is a great backdrop for a margarita flavor, and is delicious when topped with strawberries and fresh mint for a twist on shortcake. Either way, don’t forget to add a little salt to mimic that classic cocktail rim.
Read the original article on The Daily Meal.
