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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

5 from 7 votes

Creamy Margarita Pretzel Bars

Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Yield: 9 servings
Course: Dessert
Author: Tricia
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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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60 Comments

  1. Betty says

    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 to this comment >

    • Tricia Buice says

      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 to this comment >

  5. Nickid says

    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 to this comment >

  7. Toni says

    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 to this comment >

  21. cheri says

    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 to this comment >

  22. Monica says

    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 to this comment >

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