Margarita Cheesecake

Submitted by LonghornMama

"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: 10hrs 30mins
• Ingredients: 10
• 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.

Reviews

[andrew.poole1]

After I made this cheesecake, I too, did not have a need for the reserved strawberry puree. Cake looked good enough without adding any garnishments. Maybe this added pic will help with the end look that you might be looking for. I will add a little more salt to the pretzel crust. People knew it was crushed pretzels after they were told, but a little more salt added to the melted butter would make it pop against the sweet favor. Everyone loved this cake and devoured every morsel.

 

[tgwochele]

It doesn't say what you do with most of the strawberry puree, except to swirl some on top?

 

[Sherrybeth]

Autumn 2006 PAC: We are just going to say that this cake was the life of our "girls night out" party. The flavors and texture are out of this world. It was like having a margarita!! Everyone loved it and I will be making this one again and again and again! THANKS LM for this great recipe!!