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Thursday, May 23, 2013

Frozen Margarita Lime Pie

Frozen Margarita Lime Pie

Say the word "Margarita" and you have my attention.  A self-proclaimed margarita snob, I like my margarita tart and strong with a heavy dose of lime.  Being somewhat particular, I've been known to send drinks back time and again when they boast only a sweet, somewhat limey and no tequila flavor.  With some 25+ years of margarita experience, I finally know what I like.

And what I like more than the drink itself just may be this Frozen Margarita Lime Pie.  Going against all of my rules, this pie is creamy, somewhat sweet with only a very, very faint hint of tequila (and that might only be because I doubled the ingredient in my pie...).  It does however bring a fabulous lime punch that brings a smile of approval to my face and makes the most perfect summer dessert.


Taking part in the ever popular Pass the Cook Book Club (where we reach to use the sometimes neglected cookbooks already on our shelves, or at least on Kita's shelf), Kita has once again chosen a winner, and another one that I personally don't have on my shelf but after trying this recipe I just might have to buy.  Slushed!: More Than 150 Frozen, Boozy Treats for the Coolest Happy Hour Ever, by Jessie Cross, boasts an Amazon bargain price of under $6.78 (that's under 5¢ a recipe!) and if this Frozen Margarita Pie is a sign of the rest of the book, I'm sold.

Using low-fat cream cheese in my version, no one was any the wiser and my calorie guilt reduced.  The addition of lime juice and zest (we did add a little lemon too) brought a wonderful margarita flavor that combined beautifully with the little bit of tequila and Grand Marnier.  Reminiscent of a cheesecake, I actually preferred the pie a bit less frozen, though others liked the fresh from the freezer texture.

Definitely a keeper, this recipe will be making the rounds this summer everywhere we need to bring a dish.  Thanks Kita!  (I just ordered the book...)


Frozen Margarita Lime Pie


Frozen Margarita Lime Pie
Creamy, bursting with lime, and somewhat irresistible, this pie is reminiscent of a frozen cheesecake and is fabulous straight from the freezer or softened to a softer texture.  Positively a hit for your next dinner invitation!
adapted from Page 134 of  Slushed!: More Than 150 Frozen, Boozy Treats for the Coolest Happy Hour Ever
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Crust:
3 cups graham cracker crumbs (we use Trader Joe's Kitty Kat Cookies - low fat and a perfect crunch) 

3 tbs sugar
5 tbs butter melted (don't skimp here...)

Filling:
16 oz + 1 oz. low fat cream cheese at room temp**
½ cup sugar
6 Tbs freshly squeezed lime juice

2 Tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice
Zest of 1 lime
2 tbs tequila (original recipe called for 2, I used nearly 4)

1 Tbs Grand Marnier (optional, our addition)
Whipped cream  and twisted lime slices for garnish for garnish

Place the cookie crumbs into a medium bowl.  Add the sugar and melted butter and toss with a fork to combine.  Pour the mixture into a pie plate that has been rubbed with butter, then press the crumbs to make the crust.  Place the pie plate with the crumbs into the freezer to freeze while you make the filling.

Jessie's directions recommend microwaving the cream cheese for a  minute or two to warm it up, however we just used room temp cream cheese.
 
Place the cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, lime and lemon juice, lime zest, tequila, and Grand Marnier in the bowl of your stand mixer. Begin beating on low as the mixture may splash over the sides if beaten at a higher speed.  When the mixture comes together, begin beating
on medium-high for 5 minutes, until the mixture is fluffy and uniform.  (ours took every bit of that 5 minutes, actually I think I beat it for nearly 7)
 
Pour the filling into your prepared pie curst, smooth surface and freeze overnight.


To serve, remove the pie from the freezer for 10-15 minutes.  Carefully cut with a very sharp knife, running the knife under hot water if you are having difficulty.  Getting that first piece out was a little tough.


Place on a plate and top with whip cream if desired and a slice of lime for garnish.  

Liv Life Note:  I added an extra 1 oz. of cream cheese as I increased the tequila...

Frozen Margarita Lime Pie



21 comments:

  1. Oh, you and Brian both! He's always sending drinks back because they're watered down and not to his specifications. As for this recipe, you had me at cheesecake, you know...

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  2. Pie is one of my favorite desserts, this sounds absolutely delicious :)

    Happy Blogging!
    Happy Valley Chow

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  3. I am a tart margarita gal too. I am not much on refrigerator pies but I think I could make an exception for this one! (P.S. Giving your jam bars another shout out tomorrow.)

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  4. The pie looks great!!! And I love your pictures. I chose the Key lime pie as well for this month.

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  5. I used reduced fat cream cheese as well! I am all for a good margarita, and this frozen version sure is good!

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  6. This is such a fun dessert, I love key lime but this sounds even better!

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  7. Oh, you're killing me. First off, when we finally meet, we're going out for margaritas. I love them exactly the same way you do. Second, this pie is screaming my name. Wow. No wonder you bought the cookbook!

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  8. all these pie pictures look so good, although I am not much of a pie person, I want a slice.

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  9. Perfect way to start off summer! Great pick

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  10. I love tart margaritas. I might just have to give this a try.

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  11. This is definitely my kind of pie, and I think that we have the same taste in margaritas. Gorgeous photos as always.

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  12. I like seeing that many others added more tequila! :-) And I LOVE that you added lemon and grand marnier! Like you, I don't like a weak margarita!

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  13. hahaha, so much for saving us all money! But really for the price - I have made over a dozen recipes from that book and have loved them all. I haven't tried the granitas - or this pie (though Im double the tequila when I do). I will be trying the pie now, looking at all the great pics - so a dozen plus one recipes from that book tested ;D

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  14. I have heard that adding Grand Marnier makes a Margarita even better, I will have to try it! Your recipe lookes really fantastic, and with half the guilt, bonus!! Fantastic, Hugs, Terra

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  15. What a winner of a recipe. I'm on a lime kick right now and having just returned from Mexico where I indulged in a few margaritas, I know this would hit the spot with me. What a perfect summer treat!

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  16. this one look so delicious, I want a piece of it

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  17. Yum, yum and triple yum! Pinning now and immediately searching for an opportunity to make this. It is the greatest imperative!

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  18. Laura, Triple Yum indeed!!! This is one of my all time favorites!!

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  19. Love this idea...some grown up fun for dessert...my kind of pie! I prefer somewhat tart as well or it tastes like a mix without any real lime or any real tequila for that matter. I think your pie may be a favorite for me. Thanks for sharing your version!

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