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Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

5 from 11 votes

What do you get when you marry a Margarita with a Key Lime Pie? Delicious, fluffy, dreamy and Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars!

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Dreamy & Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

Once upon a time, there was a rich and creamy Key Lime Pie hanging out in the world of beaches and bathing suits … looking perfectly delicious.  Along came a cool, tall, salty and handsome Margarita and when they met, it was love at first bite.  I guess you know what happened next – fluffy, dreamy and Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars!  Sometimes children get the best of both parents … and that’s a good thing.  This dessert is a great thing!  

 

Many years ago when I first started blogging, I thought it would be a good idea to make a different pie each week for the entire year.  One of our favorites was a Margarita Pie with a Pretzel Crust.  I’ve received many emails over the years about that recipe, so I couldn’t resist tweaking it a little and mixing it up in bar form.  You know how bloggers are … we can’t leave a good thing alone!

 

Dreamy & Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

The crust is a combination of pretzels and graham crackers giving it a little sweet and salty crunch.  The filling is made with lots of fresh, tart lime juice, sweetened condensed milk, tequila, Cointreau and whipped cream.  Oh boy, oh boy – you’re going to love this one!

 

 

Dreamy & Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

This dessert is best stored in the freezer until firm, then sliced and allowed to sit a room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.  They are light as a cloud but pack plenty of lime flavor.  This recipe is not dramatically different from the original pie, so either recipe will work great.  I used orange flavored Cointreau in these bars which is a very nice upgrade from standard Triple Sec.  Cut the bars into about a dozen pieces and place in an airtight container in the freezer.  You’ll have the perfect summer dessert ready to serve when company pops in!  Sprinkle with a mixture of lime zest and a little granulated sugar for a pretty and sweet presentation.

 

 

Dreamy & Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

 

Dreamy & Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Yield: 9 servings
Course: Dessert
Author: Tricia
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5 from 11 votes
A creamy Margarita flavored dessert with a sweet and salty Pretzel Crust. Prefect for summer get togethers!

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • ½ cup unsalted butter melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups pretzel sticks
  • 2 sheets of graham crackers (4 squares)

For the filling:

  • 1 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
  • ⅓ to ½ cup fresh lime juice about 4 juicy limes
  • 2 tablespoons tequila
  • 2 tablespoons Cointreau
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

For the topping:

  • Zest of 1 lime
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch square pan. Line the pan with parchment paper leaving the extra hanging over the sides.
  • In a food processor combine the pretzels and graham crackers. Pulse until crushed. You should have about 1 ¼ cups of crushed pretzels and crackers. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the melted butter and the granulated sugar. Add the crushed pretzel mixture and stir until combined. Gently press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Don't press too hard! Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool completely before filling.
  • For the filling beat the cold whipping cream in a medium bowl until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • In another medium mixing bowl combine the sweetened condensed milk, lime juice, tequila and Cointreau. Gently fold in the whipped cream, just until blended.
  • Pour the filling into the prepare crust and freeze for about 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with a mixture of lime zest and sugar if desired. Cut into 9 to 12 servings.

Recipe Notes

  • These bars are best cut frozen, then allowed to rest at room temperature 10 minutes before serving. Store leftovers in a sealed container in the freezer.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. When multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.

Nutrition

Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 0.4g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 223mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 9g | Vitamin A: 709IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 29mg | Iron: 1mg

Are you and your family taking a big vacation this summer?  Going anywhere fun?  I hope so – we don’t have any plans to travel, because we’re getting a new kitchen.  We’ve heard from a few families that said they’ll come for a visit.  We’ll get the guest bedroom ready and let them sleep with one of our dogs!  Such fun!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Have a lovely weekend 🙂

Tricia

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66 Comments

  1. b

    5 stars
    Delicious dessert. Perfect after our cheese torte.
    Didn’t have enough pretzels so added more graham
    crackers. Used margarita mix for the Cointreau.

    Reply

  2. Sophie P

    Hi!
    Wondering if you’ve tried making this recipe in a 9in round springform pan?
    This recipe sounds perfect for my mom’s 70th Margarita pool party! 🙂

    Thanks!
    Sophie

    Reply

  3. Betty

    5 stars
    Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars
    I added 4 ounces of cool whip to the stiffly whipped cream, then added the mix of condensed milk and 3/4 cup of Nellie & Joe’s famous key west lime juice. (No alcohol added)
    Everyone loved this dessert!

    Reply

  4. Jenna Graveline

    More of a question, can u store these in the refrigerator after they have been frozen? Also can u use a 13×9 instead to yield more?

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Jenna. If I understand correctly, you want to freeze them then temporarily store in a refrigerator before serving. I think that will be fine as long as it’s not more than a few hours at most. I would slice them while still frozen, however. Let us know if this works for you! You could test this with one square and see what happens. They melt pretty fast so if serving outdoors, I recommend having them frozen solid.

      Reply

      • Jenna Graveline

        Hi Tricia
        These were fabulous! I did exactly what u said to freeze then take out 10 minutes before eating? I did add more tequila to mine because I like the tequila taste but only good tequila LOL

        Reply

  6. JP

    5 stars
    I have made these multiple times and they are always delicious! It is great to have a dessert that is no fail at 9K feet! Thanks for this!

    Reply

  7. Nickid

    An absolute winner of a dessert! I made this as a pie and got rave reviews from my dinner guests (who are excellent cooks and winemakers – so pretty hard to impress).

    No need to bake the crust – I just chilled it and worked fine.

    Thanks so much for this awesome recipe!

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Thanks so much for the feedback! I always bake the crust so the sugar melts and helps it hold together but if you like it unbaked – all the better! Thanks again and glad you enjoyed the pie 🙂

      Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Maggie – I sent you an email about your question – sorry if you didn’t get it. There are 9-sheets of graham crackers in a package / sleeve. Those nine crackers will crush into 1 1/4 cups of crumbs. I think 2 sheets of graham crackers will be about 1/4 cup of graham crumbs. Hope that helps!

      Reply

  9. Toni

    I love finding recipes that I can tweak and make my own, if I don’t have every single ingredient. I clicked on THIS one, cuz of the main part of the name: Margarita! LOL I have a bottle of ready-made watermelon margarita…. think I could just add up the total of the liquids (lime juice, tequila, & Cointreau), and use that amt of my watermelon mix? I think it’ll work… teehee!! I’m getting giddy just THINKING about it!! This would be a great summer dessert to bring to the next “ol’ ladies” of the club (motorcycle club) get-together!!! ????

    Reply

  10. Phyllis

    Sounds refreshing and fabulous, but I do not partake in any libations. Do you think leaving out the two liquors would be okay?

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Erin – I don’t know if anybody has doubled this recipe but I think it would be fine! I would just make sure the crust was even all the way across the bottom. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have over the years!

      Reply

  12. Deborah

    These look terrific…so light yet I’m sure tasty and not too sweet.
    Can you suggest a change from Margarita to Mojito?
    I prefer my lime with mint and white rum.

    Thanks

    Reply

    • Tricia Buice

      Hi Deborah! I bet they would be perfect with rum and I would muddle some mint to blend in. That sounds terrific! I would love to know if you make it. Thanks so much Deborah!

      Reply

  17. Susan

    Oh my goodness these bars sound wonderful, Tricia! The perfect cool, summer dessert. The pretzel crust sounds so good that these will NEED to be made here soon.

    Reply

  23. cheri

    Hi Tricia, Oh I think you created the perfect summer treat, love the crust, the creamy insides and the lime zest and sugar topping. Beautiful presentation too!

    Hope you are having a great week! take care, Cheri

    Reply

  24. Monica

    Goodness – the pictures say it all but I also love how you described it! That creamy filling looks better than ice cream…and I can just imagine that frozen, sweet yet tart flavor, with the salty, crunchy crust! Killing me here!! : )

    Reply

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