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Close-up of a glossy topping on a moist, citrus-colored cake.

Blackberry Margarita Cake with Tequila Recipe

Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
This Blackberry Margarita Cake with Tequila combines white cake mix, fresh blackberries, tequila, lime zest, and a rich citrus glaze for a vibrant, boozy dessert that’s simple yet impressive.
8 Servings

Ingredients

Cake:

  • 2 boxes of white cake mix
  • 6 large eggs
  • 2⅔ cups water
  • cup canola oil
  • 1 cup fresh blackberries
  • ¼ cup tequila

Frosting:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • ½ cup whole milk
  • 5 cups confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons lime extract
  • 4 tablespoons tequila
  • Zest of 1 large lime
  • 1 bottle blackberry dessert sauce optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the oven and pan:

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with nonstick spray or butter to prevent sticking. Set aside.

Make the cake batter:

  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the white cake mixes, eggs, water, oil, and tequila. Using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, mix until the batter is smooth and fully combined. Gently fold in the blackberries using a rubber spatula, being careful not to crush them excessively.

Bake the cake:

  1. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow the cake to cool in the pan on a wire rack while preparing the glaze.

Prepare the frosting glaze:

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter together with the milk. Stir continuously and bring to a gentle boil. Once the mixture reaches a boil, remove the saucepan from the heat. Stir in the confectioners’ sugar, lime extract, tequila, and lime zest until a smooth glaze forms.

Frost the cake:

  1. While the cake is still slightly warm, pour the glaze evenly over the surface, allowing it to soak slightly into the cake. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to distribute it evenly if needed.

Decorate (optional):

  1. If desired, pipe or drizzle the blackberry dessert sauce in horizontal lines across the top of the cake. Using a knife or skewer, drag vertically through the lines to create a marbled effect. Alternatively, simply drizzle the sauce over the top for a more casual finish.

Serve:

  1. Once the cake is fully cooled and the glaze has set, slice into squares and serve.

Notes

To prepare a gluten-free version of this cake, substitute the white cake mix with a certified gluten-free white cake mix. Ensure all additional ingredients (particularly the baking powder in the mix, confectioners’ sugar, and the blackberry dessert sauce) are labeled gluten-free to avoid cross-contamination. The rest of the ingredients, including the blackberries, tequila, lime zest, and dairy components, are naturally gluten-free.
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