Margarita Cake

I've mentioned that I made a Margarita Cake for Easter, and wanted to share the recipe.  It was really good, and it starts with a cake mix!

Margarita Cake - slightly adapted from the Cake Mix Doctor

• Cake: 
• Cooking spray, for misting the pan
• Flour, for dusting the pan
• 1 package (18.25 ounces) plain yellow or lemon cake mix (I used lemon)
• 4 tablespoons vanilla instant pudding mix (I used fat free, sugar free instant pudding)
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup water
• ½ cup vegetable olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lime or Key lime juice
• ¼ cup tequila
• 2 tablespoons triple sec orange liqueur 
• 1 teaspoon  tablespoon grated lime zest
• 4 large eggs

• Glaze:
• 1 ¼ cups confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon tequila
• 1 tablespoon triple sec orange liqueur 
• 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice or Key lime juice
• 3-4 drops Orange NuStevia (optional)
• 2-3 drops of Lemon NuStevia (optional)
• 1 lime, cut into thin slices (I omitted)
• 1 to 2 teaspoons coarse sugar (I omitted)
• 
  
• Directions:
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly mist a 12-cup Bundt pan with cooking spray, then dust with flour. Shake out the excess flour and set the pan aside.

1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cake mix, pudding mix, sugar, water, oil, 1/3 cup lime juice, ¼ cup tequila, 2 tablespoons orange liqueur, lime zest and eggs in a large mixing bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed until the ingredients are combined, abt 30 seconds. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix on medium speed for 1½ minutes longer, scraping down the side of the bowl again if needed. The batter should look smooth and thick. Pour the batter into the prepared Bundt pan, smoothing the top with the rubber spatula, and place the pan in the oven.
2. Bake the cake until the top springs back when lightly pressed with a finger, 42 to 47 minutes. Transfer the Bundt pan to a wire rack and let the cake cool for 10 to 15 minutes. Run a long, sharp knife around the edges of the cake, shake the pan gently, and invert the cake onto a wire rack. Let the cake cool completely, about 25 minutes longer.  (My cake pulled away from the sides as it cooled and I didn't need to run a knife along the sides of the pan.  It came out easily, unlike this one! My cake also fell some.  ALL my cakes fall...I don't know what I'm doing wrong!)
3. Meanwhile, make the glaze: Place the confectioners’ sugar, 1 tablespoon tequila, 1 tablespoon orange liqueur, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and the lemon and orange Stevia drops in a small bowl and whisk until smooth. Slide the cake onto a serving plate. Using a long wooden skewer poke 12 to 16 holes in the top of the cake. Spoon the glaze over the top of the cake, letting it drip down the sides. Garnish the cake with the lime slices and a sprinkling of coarse sugar. Let the glaze set for 10 minutes, then slice and serve the cake.

Verdict - This cake was all I hoped it would be....dense and moist like a pound cake, with a nice citrus flavor.  The glaze was delicious and really complimented and added to the flavor of the cake.  The new flavored stevia extracts from NuNaturals are amazing!  Very intense flavor.  I can't wait to try them in different recipes. (Review & Giveaway coming!)  I only tasted a hint of Tequila in the glaze, and I think that is just because I knew it was there.  It could be left out if you prefer, or increased if you want to intensify the flavor.  (If you add more liquid, you may need to add more confectioner's sugar,depending on the consistency of the glaze.)  Overall, this is a perfect dessert for spring/summer and is going in the 'keeper file'!

I'm linking this recipe up with Homemaker on a Dime, Delightfully Dowling, Mouthwatering Monday @ A Southern Fairytale, Skip to my Lou, Just Something I Whipped Up @ The Girl Creative, Delicious Dishes at It's a Blog Party, Tuesdays at the Table at All the Small Stuff, Tasty Tuesdays @ 33 Shades of Green, Tempt My Tummy Tuesday, Made from Scratch Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday @ For The Love Of Blogs,Blue Cricket Design,Wow Me Wednesday at Ginger Snap Crafts, Lady Behind the Curtain, Miz Helen's Country Cottage, A Little Nosh, Simply Delish, It's a Keeper, Bacon Time with the Hungry Hungry Hypo, Simple Living with Diane Balch, Everyday Mom Cakes, Around My Family Table,  Just us Four, Six Sisters' Stuff, The Sweet Details for Savory Sunday; Finding Joy in my Kitchen (Ingredient Spotlight: Citrus)