Incredibly moist strawberry mojito cupcakes infused with fresh mint and rum, iced with Mojito Italian Meringue Buttercream.
Last week, one of my closest friends, celebrated her 50th birthday at a local brewery. My contribution to the festivities were these strawberry mojito cupcakes - a fitting flavor because Lynn makes a kick-ass mojito, of which I've certainly had my share, sitting in her kitchen or on her patio, while we discuss our lives and solve all the worlds problems. Rum has that effect on me. Life feels easy and fun after a mojito or two, with no problem too large or complicated.
I maintain that it's impossible to not feel a bit carefree while sipping something fizzy, tropical, fruity and boozy. Which is exactly what I was going for with these cupcakes, and I'm happy to report that they were a huge hit at the party. One guest called them "life changing", causing me to feel quite smug. Naturally.
Here's my lovely friend with her cupcakes, proving to all of us that 50 is the new 30.
Now, I'm not saying that you MUST eat strawberry mojito cupcakes while also sipping on a mojito...
But, why wouldn't you? Like a good mojito, they are slightly sweet (not cloyingly so) and a bit tart, with just a hint of refreshing mint to balance everything out. There's enough rum in both the cupcakes and the buttercream frosting to know it's there without overpowering the other flavors.
While these cupcakes are fruity and fun, they are not insubstantial. The cake is extremely moist, dense and almost creamy - more akin to the consistency of a steamed pudding than your typical cake. Almost like cheesecake. And this, in my opinion, is what makes them remarkable.
They are not quite what you expect from a strawberry cupcake. Plus, the swirl of lime infused strawberry jam creates an experience where every bite is different from the last. They will have everyone you serve them to saying things like, "This is so interesting!", as they dive back in for another bite. And then another. And another.
Because, sometimes you want something predictable - like warm chocolate chip cookies that ooze with melted chocolate. Or, the comforting wholesomeness of freshly baked bread. And, other times you want something fun and unexpected. These cupcakes are for times like those.
So, make a batch and invite over some good friends. Pour them a mojito and serve them a strawberry mojito cupcake. Talk and laugh, and solve all the world's problems. I can't think of a better way to spend an afternoon or evening.
RECIPE NOTES: There are several components to this recipe. If you want to make everything in one day, it will take you about 3 hours start to finish.
Make the Mint Lime Curd first so it can cool completely before adding it to the buttercream. Then, make the cupcakes. While the cupcakes are baking, make the Italian Meringue Buttercream. By the time the cupcakes are baked and cool, the Buttercream will be ready to use
You can also make these cupcakes over the span of a couple of days, if that's easier on your schedule.
The lime curd and Italian Meringue Buttercream can be made up to 4 days in advance and refrigerated until ready to use. The cupcakes can be made 1 day in advance or frozen for up to 2 months.
One batch of Italian Meringue Buttercream will frost about 48 regular size cupcakes, or 24 jumbo size cupcakes. This means that if you are only making one batch of cupcakes, you will have plenty left over. Italian Meringue Buttercream freezes really well, so just scoop the leftover buttercream into an airtight container and pop it in the freezer, at the ready for the next time you need a strawberry mojito cupcake fix.
About Italian Meringue Buttercream
If you've never made Italian Meringue Buttercream, do NOT be intimidated. Upon first glance, it can seem complicated and tricky. Trust me, I beg you, and just try it. Once you make it, you'll realize that it's simpler than you thought and the best frosting ever.
It’s silky smooth, not overly sweet, holds up well and is a dream to frost and decorate with. It’s so delicious, even all of you non-frosting eaters will be tempted to devour it by the spoonful. It is by far my favorite frosting. In fact, it’s the only frosting I ever make.
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Mojito Cupcakes
Incredibly moist strawberry cupcakes infused with fresh mint and rum, iced with Mojito Italian Meringue Buttercream. *This recipe makes 18 regular size cupcakes or 9 jumbo size cupcakes. It's the jumbo size version pictured here.
Ingredients
FOR THE MINT LIME CURD:
- Zest and juice from 4-6 limes (enough to make ½ cup fresh lime juice)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 tablespoon (½ stick, or 2 ounces) butter, at room temperature
- 5 large eggs, at room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves, finely minced
FOR THE CUPCAKES:
- ¾ cup good quality strawberry jam
- 3 tablespoon fresh lime juice
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 4 tablespoon melted butter, cooled to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg + 3 egg whites, at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cup plain, unsweetened full-fat yogurt (preferably Greek yogurt), at room temperature
- 2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
- 1 ½ cups diced fresh strawberries
- 2 tablespoon freshly grated lime zest
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves
- ¼ cup white rum
FOR THE MOJITO ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM:
- 1 recipe Italian Meringue Buttercream
- 2 cups mint lime curd
- ⅓ cup white rum
Instructions
MAKE THE MINT LIME CURD:
- Zest limes and squeeze enough fresh lime juice to make ½ cup.
- Add lime zest and sugar to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until the zest is finely minced.
- Cream the butter with the sugar/ zest mixture in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment at medium-high speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the salt. With the mixer running, slowly pour in the fresh lime juice until fully incorporated.
- Pour mixture into a medium, heavy bottom sauce pan set over medium heat. Stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, cook until thickened and just about to boil - about 10 minutes. (Keep the temperature under 175 degrees, just under a simmer).
- Pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in minced mint leaves. Cover and refrigerate until completely cool.
MAKE THE CUPCAKES:
- Preheat oven to 375 and line jumbo muffin pans with 9 paper liners, or a regular muffin pans with 18 paper liners.
- In a small bowl, stir together the strawberry jam and lime juice until combined. Set aside.
- Add the cornstarch, flour, baking powder and salt to a medium size bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
- Add the melted butter, sugar, whole egg and egg whites to the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the whisk attachment and beat on high speed for 2 minute, until well combined.
- Add the yogurt and flour mixture in 4 alternating additions, beginning and ending with the flour. Beat for about 20-30 seconds at medium speed after each addition - just long enough to incorporate each addition fully. Add the vanilla and strawberry extract (if using) and beat just long enough to combine.
- With a wooden spoon or rubber spatula, fold in the chopped strawberries, lime zest and chopped mint.
- Spoon batter evenly into cupcake liners. Spoon the strawberry jam mixture evenly over each cupcake and use a knife to gently swirl the jam into the batter. (Go easy - you just want to barely swirl the jam into the batter, not mix it completely in. There should still be some jam on the top of the batter.)
- Bake in preheated oven for 33-35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into one of the cupcakes comes out mostly clean, without raw cake batter clinging to it. Remove from the oven and immediately remove cupcakes from muffin pan to cool on a wire rack. (If you leave them in the pan, the jam will cause the cupcakes to stick.) Poke each cupcake several times with a toothpick and brush with the ¼ cup white rum. Go over each cupcake 2-3 times with the brush, allowing the rum to seep into each cupcake before adding more. Cool completely before frosting with Mojito Italian Meringue Buttercream.
MAKE THE MOJITO ITALIAN MERINGUE BUTTERCREAM:
- With the Italian Meringue Buttercream at room temperature, slowly beat in the lime curd and then the rum using an electric mixer until fully incorporated. Depending on the temperature of all the ingredients this could take 5-10 minutes. If it doesn't look like it's coming together, just keep beating. If the ingredients are too warm, or the room is too warm, and the frosting seems runny, just put it in the refrigerator for an hour or so before beating to bring it all together.
*Sprinkle iced cupcakes with additional finely minced mint leaves and garnish with a slice of fresh strawberry and lime, if you like.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 1 cupcakeAmount Per Serving: Calories: 398Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 240mgCarbohydrates: 81gFiber: 2gSugar: 55gProtein: 5g
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Effy says
Hi Rebecca - I'm struggling to see how creaming the curd ingredients would make a difference, when you melt it all on the stove afterwards and get rid of all that air that's been worked in.
Could you explain why it's necessary as opposed to just melting the butter/dissolving the sugar on the stove with the other ingredients as per a normal curd recipe?
Thanks!
Rebecca Blackwell says
Hi Effy! Great question! Creaming the curd ingredients is actually about creating an emulsion, not about beating air into it. Because liquid and fat don't mix, creating an emulsion is a great way to ensure that the curd won't break. The eggs in this recipe act as emulsifiers. When agitated, they help fat and liquid come together and stay together, with the eggs and sugar uniformly dispersed within the fat molecules. Does that make sense? Please let me know if you have any other questions! And, I'd love to hear how this recipe comes out for you after you make it! xo
Jennifer says
Hi! Can’t wait to try these! For the curd, is it 1/4 pound or 1/2 stick of butter? 1/2 stick is 2 ounces, and 1/4 pound is 4 ounces. Thank you!
Rebecca Blackwell says
Hi Jennifer! I'm so sorry about the confusion on this. You want to use a 1/2 stick of butter - 4 tablespoons/ 2 ounces. I've adjusted the recipe to be more clear. Thank you so much for taking the time out this discrepancy! I truly appreciate it! xo
Amber VanCuren says
Frosting is amazing. Before I added the curd I was worried it would taste too much like butter, but I turned out awesome. I don't think I could use the frosting without a flavor for that reason. As for the cake, flavor it really great as well. Consistency is definately different than most cakes. My oven overheats, and I had a difficult time gauging when the cupcakes were actually done unless I cut the cupcake in half. The cupcakes are dense so sticking a toothpick or knife into the cupcake came out clean. I found they were kind of "doughy". Even with the undone, doughy cupcakes the flavor of the two together were so good!
Rebecca Blackwell says
Hi Amber! These cupcakes are definitely quite a bit different from "normal" cake - almost the consistency of steamed pudding. And, yes - it's tricky to know when they are done. I think I'm going to make these again soon and play around with different ways of knowing when they are baked through. There's gotta be a better way. 🙂 So glad the cupcakes tasted good! The flavor combination is one of my favorites! Thank you SO much for taking the time to leave a comment for me! xo
Beth Keese says
Would it work to mix the jam into the batter rather than swirling it on top?
Rebecca Blackwell says
Hi Beth! The main reason I suggest "swirling" the jam into the batter is because there can be a lot of difference between how much water content is in different kinds and brands of jam. I was concerned about disturbing the balance between dry and liquid ingredients in the cake batter itself and creating for everyone who chooses to bake these cupcakes. In theory, mixing the jam into the batter "should" be fine. But, if you choose to mix it in, I'd suggest using a very thick jam. Sorry - that's not a super straight forward answer. But, I hope it helps?
Beth Keese says
Thanks! Just the answer I needed.
Tessa Crag Chaderton says
I rate it five star
Tessa says
I will try these on Saturday for tea party
Rebecca Blackwell says
I wish I was invited! 🙂 Please let me know if you have any questions about the recipe. And, I'd love to hear what you and the other tea party guests think of these cupcakes! xo
Tessa says
Hey Rebecca it's a holiday weekend here in St.Kitts and I did these for Brunch this morning. They were the dessert and they were all gone before the rest of the menu. They came out really well I am not good at the phone or taking pictures, but none were there by the time I settled down to enjoyed my guests. Thanks much.
Rebecca Blackwell says
Hi Tessa! Thank you so much for taking the time to let me know that you and your guests enjoyed this recipe! I am so glad your guests loved the cupcakes. Have a great rest of the weekend! xoxo