Margarita Cheesecake

From Southern Living. Adult version of cheesecake with a pretzel crust containing pureed fresh strawberries, tequila and Triple Sec. I'm not a huge cheesecake fan, but have made this several times when having friends over for Mexican food. Remember to take 8 hour chilling time into account. Posted for strawberry recipe swap.

• Ready In: 10 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 12-14

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups  pretzel crumbs
• 1⁄2 cup butter, melted
• 1  cup fresh strawberries, hulled
• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1  cup sugar
• 4  large eggs
• 1⁄4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1⁄4 cup  tequila
• 1⁄4 cup triple sec or 1⁄4 cup  other  orange-flavored liqueur
•  lime slice, fresh strawberries

Directions

1. Combine pretzel crumbs and butter; firmly press on bottom and 1 1/2 inches up sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 8-10 minutes; set aside.
2. Place strawberries in container of electric blender; process until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Reserve 1/2 c puree.
3. Beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in lime juice, tequila and liqueur.
4. Pour into prepared pan. Pour reserved strawberry puree on top in a circle and gently swirl batter with a knife.
5. Bake at 325 degrees for 1 hour and 10 minutes (center will be soft). Remove from oven and run knife around edge of pan to release sides.
6. Return to oven; turn oven off and leave cheesecake in oven 30 minutes.
7. Remove from oven and let cool completely on a wire rack. Remove from pan; cover with plastic wrap and chill 8 hours. DO NOT cover with foil! Garnish, if desired.