Dessert

Mango Chili Cupcakes Recipe

ByGabriel Langdon October 29, 2025October 29, 2025

Introduction

Mango Chili Cupcakes offer a delightful twist on traditional cupcakes by blending the sweetness of mango with a subtle spicy kick of chipotle chile powder. Enhanced with a tangy key lime cream cheese frosting, these tropical treats are perfect for those who enjoy a balance of sweet and spice in their desserts.

A single cupcake with a colorful, orange and red patterned liner sits in the center. The cupcake is topped with a smooth, light green frosting layer that looks creamy and soft. A small paper umbrella with orange and yellow colors is placed upright in the frosting, adding a fun, tropical touch. The cupcake rests on a white marbled surface with a soft, striped white background behind it. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 cup flour
3/4 cup sugar
6 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup milk, at room temperature
1/4 cup mango nectar*, at room temperature
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon chipotle chile powder
1 egg, at room temperature
1 mango, cubed (about 2/3 cup)
Key lime cream cheese frosting

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 12-cup muffin pan with cupcake liners or grease and flour the wells.
Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the egg to the butter and sugar mixture and mix thoroughly until well combined.
Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, chipotle chile powder, and salt.
Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing gently.
Step 6: Add the milk and mango nectar to the batter and beat until smooth and well combined.
Step 7: Gently fold in the cubed mango pieces, being careful not to break them up too much.
Step 8: Fill each cupcake well about two-thirds full with the batter.
Step 9: Bake for approximately 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean (try to avoid piercing the mango cubes).
Step 10: Allow the cupcakes to cool briefly in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 11: Once cooled, frost the cupcakes with key lime cream cheese frosting and enjoy.

Tips & Variations

If mango nectar is hard to find, you can substitute it with a mix of mango puree and a little sugar or use orange juice for a different citrus twist.
For a milder spice, reduce the chipotle chile powder to 1/4 teaspoon or swap it for smoked paprika.
Try decorating the cupcakes with a small mango slice or a sprinkle of chili powder for an attractive presentation.
To keep the tropical theme, consider using a mango-flavored frosting or plain buttercream instead of key lime cream cheese frosting.

Storage

Store the cupcakes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze unfrosted cupcakes tightly wrapped for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then frost before serving.

How to Serve

A single cupcake is shown in a white cupcake liner with orange and red flower patterns. The cupcake has one thick layer of pale green frosting on top, smooth and slightly shiny. A small paper umbrella is stuck into the frosting, with an orange and yellow shaded canopy and a white tip, standing upright. The cupcake sits on a white marbled textured surface with a colorful cloth underneath that features pink, blue, and red flower patterns. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh mango juice instead of mango nectar?

Yes, fresh mango juice can be used if you don’t have mango nectar. Just keep in mind that mango nectar is usually sweeter and more concentrated, so you might want to adjust the sugar slightly or add a bit more mango juice for moisture.

What if I don’t like spicy flavors—can I leave out the chipotle chile powder?

You can omit the chipotle chile powder if you prefer a sweet cupcake without heat. The cupcakes will still be delicious with a lovely mango flavor and key lime frosting.