Margarita Cake with Tequila at its best: Now who is ready for a beach party?

Cold or hot weather means drinks for a party goer, but on a hot summer day in the air-conditioned kitchens of our homes, you can enjoy the flavor of one of the most beloved cocktails in the form of a sweet and delicious cake. Our Margarita Cake uses tequila in a lime syrup that is brushed across each cake layer. The simple addition of a few tablespoons of lime-flavoured gelatin to the cake's dry ingredients lends flavor and color to the airy cake layers, and store-bought margarita mixer is added to the rich cream cheese frosting to spike it with additional margarita taste. A little green food coloring is used at the end of frosting the cake to give a faded green-and-white color across the surface of the cake. Lastly, the cake is garnished with candied lime peels and a generous sprinkling of flake salt around the cake's edge. Now, who's ready for the beach?

This margarita cake is perfect for a picnic on a warm day. You'll be surprised at how closely this tastes like the real thing.

Total Time

Prep: 15 min. Bake: 45 min. + cooling

Makes

16 servings

Ingredients

1 package lemon cake mix (regular size)

1 package (3.4 ounces) instant lemon pudding mix

1 can (10 ounces) frozen non-alcoholic margarita mix, thawed

4 eggs

1/2 cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons lime juice

3 teaspoons grated

GLAZE:

1-1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

3 tablespoons lime juice

Directions

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease and flour a 10-in. fluted tube. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, pudding mix, margarita mix, eggs, butter, lime juice and peel; beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2 minutes.

Transfer batter to prepared pan. Bake 45-50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, combine glaze ingredients. Drizzle over cake.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 284 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.

1 slice: 284 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 379mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 2g protein.