Mini Caramelized Mango Margarita Cupcakes are gluten-free, grain-free, and refined sugar-free and insanely delicious! You'd never know they were full of healthy, good for you ingredients! Except maybe the tequila...
Preheat oven to 325 degrees and spritz 2 mini cupcake tins (total of 24) w/ coconut oil cooking spray or line with mini cupcake liners. Set aside. Make caramalized mango (see recipe below).
Add all cupcake ingredients, except caramelized mango, to a blender or food processor and blend for 30-45 seconds. Scrap down the sides then blend again until well mixed.
Transfer to a bowl then stir in ¼ cup of the caramelized mango, stirring until evenly incorporated.
Using a mini cookie scoop or a tablespoon, fill cupcake tins ¾ of the way full then bake for 14 minutes or until slightly golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean. While cupcakes are baking, make the tequila syrup and buttercream (see recipes below).
Cool cupcakes for 10 minutes then remove to a cooling rack. Brush the tops of the cupcakes with the tequila syrup, if desired.
Once cooled completely, ice with the buttercream then garnish with lime zest & chopped mango.
For the Caramelized Mango:
Heat butter in a sauce pan over medium-high heat. Once bubbling and slightly brown, add mango and saute for 1-2 minutes.
Stir in mango nectar and continue to saute until the liquid reduces, about 3 minutes.
Once liquid reduces, remove pan from heat, add tequila, return to heat and continue to cook until the tequila reduces and the mango slightly browns, about 3-4 minutes.
Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temp.
For the Tequila Syrup:
Add mango nectar and coconut sugar to a small microwave safe bowl.
Microwave on high for 30-45 seconds or until the coconut sugar melts.
Stir in the tequila then set aside until ready to brush the cupcakes.
For the Coconut Mango Buttercream:
Add butter to the bowl of a stand mixer and whip until smooth.
Beat in coconut cream, maple syrup, vanilla, tequila, and salt until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Stir in caramelized mango then frost on mini cupcakes.
Notes
A note about the coconut cream: You only want to use the thick white coconut cream from the can, not any liquid. Don't shake the can at all! Pop it in the freezer for 10 minutes before starting the buttercream. That way, when you open the can, the coconut cream should be sitting right on top and you can easily scoop it out.