Discover the explosion of flavors with the Margarita cake recipe – a delicious combination between the classic dessert and a beloved cocktail! This special lime sponge cake will delight you with every slice!

The history of the Margarita cocktail

Let’s travel back in time and discover a little about the fascinating history of the Margarita cocktail and how it came to inspire this delicious recipe for lime and tequila sponge cake. The origin of this cocktail adored by many is surrounded by mystery and several interesting stories.

The first story takes us back to the 30s, when it is said that Margarita Sames, a socialite from Texas, invented this refreshing cocktail. It is said that Margarita created the recipe to pamper her guests during a party, ingeniously combining tequila, lime juice and triple sec. Once word spread about this delicious drink, the Margarita’s popularity exploded, and it became one of the most famous cocktails in the world.

However, there are other theories about the origin of Margarita. One of them suggests that the cocktail was created in the Mexican city of Tijuana, in the 30s, by a bartender named Carlos Herrera. It is said that Margarita was a regular customer, and that Herrera created the cocktail especially for her, using the available ingredients: tequila, lime juice and margarita salt on the rim of the glass.

Regardless of the truth behind its origin, the Margarita cocktail quickly won the hearts of people around the world. It was appreciated for its balanced taste between sweet, sour and salty, as well as for its versatility. Margarita has become the symbol of parties, vacations and fun, being associated with the beaches of Mexico, the sun and the joy of living in the present.

This popularity of the Margarita cocktail has inspired many variations and adaptations in creative desserts. Thus, I got the idea for this delicious Margarita sponge cake recipe, which combines the classic flavors of the cocktail in a sweet and tempting way. This cake version is a wonderful way to enjoy the essence of Margarita in a refreshing and aromatic dessert.

Ingredients for a perfect Margarita cake

Butter: Butter adds richness and a soft texture to the cake. Oil can also be used, but I do not recommend it. The taste of butter is important in the recipe.
Sugar: Sugar brings sweetness and contributes to the delicate caramelization of the edges of the cake, offering a delicious taste and a slightly crunchy texture on the surface. If you want the version with less sugar, you can use erythritol or stevia in the composition.
Eggs: Eggs give structure to the cake, binding the ingredients and ensuring that it has an airy and fluffy consistency. If you want a vegan cake, I recommend you try these recipes from the blog: Vegan sponge cake with chocolate and bananas, Peach sponge cake or Banana Bread.
White flour: White flour is the main ingredient for the structure of the cake, giving it stability and elasticity. I have not tested the recipe with wholemeal flour or gluten-free flour.
Baking powder: Baking powder helps the cake to rise and rise, ensuring that it is fluffy and soft. Alternatively, you can also use sodium bicarbonate with a little lemon juice.
Grated lime peel: Grated lime peel adds a wonderful fragrance and a vibrant lime taste, giving a distinctive and fresh element to the cake.
Greek Yogurt. Yogurt brings moisture and a soft texture to the cake, adding a slightly creamy note.
Margarita Syrup: This is a margarita cake with tequila frosting, so make sure you don’t serve it to kids! 🙂 The Margarita syrup is made with tequila, lime juice, sugar and salt and adds a distinctive note of Margarita cocktail to the recipe, intensifying the aroma and taste of lime and offering a surprising and delicious element in each slice of cake.

Want to try more delicious cocktail-inspired summer sponge cakes? Check out my Limoncello Sponge Cake .

Tips for a perfect sponge cake every time

Here are some top tips for making a perfect sponge cake every time. Follow these tips and you will have a better chance of getting a perfect sponge cake, with a soft texture, a delicious aroma and an attractive appearance.

Measure ingredients accurately
Use a kitchen scale to measure ingredients accurately. The correct amounts will ensure the proper proportions in the dough and will contribute to the final result of the lime sponge cake.
Make sure the ingredients are at room temperature
Take the eggs and butter out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you start cooking. The ingredients at room temperature will mix better and ensure a more uniform texture of the cake.
Mix the ingredients carefully
Mix the ingredients only until they are combined. Avoid excessive mixing, because it can lead to the excessive development of gluten in the flour and to obtaining a hard and dense cake.
Use quality flour
Choose a good, superior quality flour to obtain a fluffier and softer cake. If you prefer a less dense cake, you can opt for flour with less gluten content, such as cake flour or pastry flour.
Do not open the oven during baking
While the cake is baking, resist the temptation to open the oven door. This can cause the internal temperature to drop and disrupt the baking process, causing the cake to sag or not rise evenly.
Test with a toothpick
Check if the cake is baked by piercing it with a cocktail stick or a toothpick in the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean or with a few sticks stuck to it, the cake is ready. If necessary, leave it in the oven for a few more minutes and test again.
Cool the cake before cutting it
Let the cake cool completely in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then transfer it to a cooling rack and let it cool completely before cutting it. This will help maintain moisture and obtain a fluffier and softer texture.

How to make a Margarita Cake recipe

Yield: 8

Margarita Cake

Discoverthe explosion of flavors with the Margarita sponge cake recipe - a deliciouscombination between the classic dessert and a beloved cocktail! This special limesponge cake will delight you with every slice!

Prep Time 10 minutes

Cook Time 40 minutes

Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the sponge cake batter:

120g (4.2 oz or ½ cup) butter, room temperature
150g (5.3 oz or ¾ cup) sugar
3 eggs
180g (6.3 oz) white flour
½ teaspoon of baking powderl
1 tablespoon grated lime peel
80ml (3 fl oz) Greek yogurt

For the syrup:

2 tablespoons of tequila
50ml (2 fl oz) lime juice
2 spoons of powdered sugar

For the glaze:

6 tablespoons powdered sugar
juice from 1 lime
2-4 drops of green food coloring (optional)

For decoration:

½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
lime flavored jellies (optional)

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 180°C.
In a bowl, use an electric whisk to beat the butter and sugar until light and foamy.
Gradually add the eggs, one at a time. Then add the flour, grated lime peel, and yogurt. Mix thoroughly until you achieve a smooth and consistent batter.
Transfer the batter into a greased baking dish and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the cake turns golden brown and passes the toothpick test.
While the cake is still warm, combine tequila, lime juice, and powdered sugar in a saucepan. Heat the mixture until the sugar dissolves, forming a syrup. Drizzle the warm cake with the syrup.
In a small bowl, stir together the ingredients for the glaze, adding a spoonful of water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.
Once the cake has cooled, spread the glaze evenly over the top. Sprinkle with coarse salt for an added touch of flavor, and decorate with jellies to enhance its visual appeal.

Nutrition Information

Yield

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 517Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 68mgSodium 197mgCarbohydrates 106gFiber 1gSugar 92gProtein 4g

I strive to keep the information as accurate as possible but make no warranties regarding its accuracy. I encourage you to make your own calculations using your preferred nutrition calculator.