Margarita Key Lime Pie

By srumbel

this pie is similar to one I entered in the fair last year...it's not too fussy, and easy to make and fun to eat...
from blueribbonkitchen.blogspot.com

Ingredients

• Crust:
• 1 cup finely crushed graham crackers
• 1/2 cup finely crushed salted pretzels
• 2 TBS granulated sugar
• 6 TBS melted unsalted butter
• Filling:
• (1) 8-ounce softened cream cheese
• 1/2 Cup sour cream
• 3/4 Cup key lime juice (If using fresh key limes, consider using a clean garlic press to make quick work of the tiny key limes. Cut in half and then squeeze with press over a bowl.
• (1) 14 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk
• 3 drops of green food coloring (optional)
• Whipped Cream
• 1/2 pint heavy whipping cream
• 3 TBS powdered sugar
• (If you really want a margarita-esque pie add a shot of triple sec to the cream before whipping -optional.)

Preparation

Step 1

Crust
In a food processor, finely chop the graham crackers and pretzels. Add sugar and melted butter to combine. Mixture will resemble wet sand. Pour into a 9-inch pie plate. Using an empty drinking glass, lightly tamp down the crust, forming it to the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Set aside.

Filling
In a food processor, whip the cream cheese until light and fluffy with no lumps. Add in sour cream, lime juice and sweetened condensed milk. Continue to blend well until the mixture is smooth, silky and emulsified.
Pour mixture into prepared pretzel-graham crust.
Bake for 10 minutes on the middle rack of a preheated 350 degree oven. The pie will set and be less glossy after the 10 minutes.
Do not brown the top of the pie.

Chill pie well, for a least 4 hours up to overnight.
Top with fresh whipped cream and candy sea stars for garnish

Whipped Cream
On low speed of a mixer, whip cream sugar and optional alcohol if using. After it thickens a bit, mix on medium high until thick if keeps shape.
Fill a piping bag fitted with a decorative tip and decorate edges of the pie.

Candy Sea Stars:
Using a candy mold (sea stars or other ocean themed shaped mold) Fill mold with melted white candy melts or almond bark. Let chill for five minutes. Once set, pop out shapes and decorate pie. (Candy sea stars are a great make ahead garnish…simply keep in and air tight container until ready to use.