No Bake Margarita Cheesecake

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 (1/4-ounce) envelopes unflavored powdered gelatin
• 1 cup sugar
• 3/4 cup water
• 1 1/2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup premium tequila
• 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or triple sec
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lime zest
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Pretzel Crust, recipe follows
• Thin lime zest strips or curls, garnish
• Thin lime slices, bottom halves dipped in sugar

Directions

In a small saucepan, combine the gelatin and sugar. Add the water, stir, and cook over medium heat until the gelatin dissolves, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly.

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the sour cream, lime juice, tequila, Grand Marnier, lime zest, and salt, and beat to combine. Add the dissolved gelatin mixture and mix well. Pour into the prepared crust and chill until very firm, 3 to 4 hours.

To serve, remove the outer ring from the springform pan. Decorate the center of the cake with the zest strips and the outer edge with a border of lime slices dipped in sugar.

Cut with a thin, sharp knife dipped in hot water and serve.

Pretzel Crust:

1 1/4 cups crushed pretzels

2 tablespoons sugar

1/4 cup melted butter

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

In a food processor, pulse the pretzels to make 3/4 cup of crumbs. Add the sugar and pulse to combine. Add the butter and mix well.

Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan, pressing onto the bottom and slightly up the sides. Bake until set, about 6 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

Yield: 1 (9-inch) crust