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Margarita Cheesecake

Source of Recipe


Adapted from a Bon Appetit recipe






List of Ingredients



• -- Crust --
  
• Nonstick vegetable oil spray
  
• 1-1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
  
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  
• *
  
• -- Filling --
  
• 3 8-oz. bricks cream cheese (can use Neufchatel)
  
• 1-1/4 cups sour cream (can use "light")
  
• 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp sugar
  
• 2-1/2 Tbsp triple sec or other orange liqueur
  
• 2-1/2 Tbsp tequila *
  
• 2-1/2 Tbsp fresh lime juice *
  
• 4 large eggs
  
• 1 Tbsp flour (optional; helps thicken filling)
  
• *
  
• -- Topping --
  
• 3/4 cup sour cream (can use "light")
  
• 1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
  
• 1 Tbsp sugar
  
• *
  
• Very thin lime slices, cut in half
  
• Very thin lime peel strips
  






Instructions



1. For crust: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 degrees (F). Spray a 9-inch springform pan with 2-3/4-inch-high sides with vegetable oil spray. Mix graham cracker crumbs and butter in medium bowl until blended. Press crumbs over bottom and 1 inch up sides of prepared pan. Refrigerate crust.
   
   
2. For filling: Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese in large bowl until fluffy. Beat in sour cream; then sugar, triple sec, tequila and lime juice. Add in flour, if using. Beat in eggs.
   
   
3. Pour filling into prepared crust. Bake until outside 2 inches are set and center moves only slightly when pan is shaken, about 50 minutes. Remove from oven; turn off oven.
   
   
4. For topping: Whisk sour cream, lime juice, and sugar in a small bowl to blend. Spread evenly over cheesecake. Return cheesecake to hot oven. Let stand 45 minutes or less (cheesecake will look very soft, but will set up when chilled). Refrigerate until well chilled, up to 1 day.
   
   
5. Run knife around pan sides; remove pan sides. Place cake on platter. Arrange lime half-slices and peel around top edge of cheesecake.
   
   Serves 10 to 12
   
   






Final Comments


* Instead of tequila and lime juice, you may substitute Margarita Mix that already has tequila added to it. It cuts down on preparation, of course, but also adds a more "margarita-like" flavor.