Creamy and rich Margarita Cheesecake has all the flavors of your favorite margarita. A New York style cheesecake made with the traditional cream cheese and sour cream then flavored with orange and lime zest and a few shots of tequila and Grand Marnier. The perfect dessert for the warm days of summer and a delicious addition to any Cinco de Mayo celebration.
I love cheesecake! And the New York-style cheesecake, so rich and creamy, has got to be my go-to favorite. Of course, probably next in line for a favorite has got to be a chilly, sweet and tart margarita. Hence, combining them into one luscious and slightly tipsy treat, is my dream dessert.
My daughter first introduced me to this Margarita Cheesecake during a family dinner and we all raved about it so much that I had to share the recipe with all of you. Of course, I upped the ante by adding some tequila and Grand Marnier, similar to a Cadillac Margarita, and it gave it a mellow flavor with a slightly tart edge just like I wanted.
Now don't go thinking that this is hard to make. Nope, with just a few pointers and the step-by-step directions below, you'll be producing a luscious Margarita Cheesecake that will come out perfectly every time.
How to make a Margarita Cheesecake
Cookie Crust
- Place vanilla wafers in food processor and pulse until fine crumbs. You can also use a Ziploc bag and rolling pin to make crumbs if you do not have a food processor.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons of lime peel and melted butter until mixture adheres together.
- Press into springform pan covering bottom and halfway up sides of pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes then let cool completely on wire rack.
Cheesecake
- In a large bowl beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually beat in the sugar and salt until well blended.
- On low speed, add eggs one at a time until well combined.
- Add sour cream and zests.
- Add tequila, Grand Marnier and lime juice. Mix until just blended.
- Pour cheesecake mixture into cooled crust.
- Bake for 45 minutes then turn oven off and leave in the oven for an additional hour. Do not open door to check on it.
- Remove cheesecake from oven and cool completely in pan on wire rack.
Frequently asked questions on cheesecakes:
Why is my cheesecake lumpy?
Usually lumps in a cheesecake are caused by cream cheese that was not brought to room temperature. A little trick if you forgot to set your cream cheese on the counter ahead of time, place the unopened package in a bowl of warm water and let it set until soft. Another option is to place an 8-oz block of cream cheese, unwrapped, on a plate and microwave on high for 15 seconds.
How do you know when the cheesecake is done?
A cheesecake is dense, rich and creamy and cannot be tested with a toothpick like a normal cake. You can gauge if it is done by gently shaking the pan. If the center jiggles just slightly and looks a little softer the cheesecake is done. Other indications the cheesecake is one is if the top is starting to turn a light golden color and has a shiny appearance.
How do I remove a cheesecake from the bottom of a springform pan.
First rule of thumb, always chill the cheesecake until firm before trying to remove the bottom. I like to line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper and have it extend just a ¼” over the edge. This allows enough paper to help lift the cheesecake off the bottom with the help of a large spatula and another person.
Why does my cheesecake crack on top?
Usually it is because the cheesecake has been over-baked and gets too dry. As it contracts, the edges stick to the pan forming cracks. Eliminate this problem by taking the cheesecake out of the oven while the center is still slightly jiggly.
How long should the cheesecake be allowed to cool before placing in refrigerator?
The cheesecake should be cooled completely to room temperature and then chilled, uncovered, in the refrigerator for 4 hours to overnight. Not allowing it to cool completely can cause the crust to become soggy. For serving, take out 30 minutes prior to plating.
How long will a cheesecake keep in the refrigerator?
The cheesecake will keep for 3-5 days but, if your family is anything like mine, it won't be around that long.
Pro-Tip: When the cheesecake is done, turn the oven off, and allow it to sit in the warm oven for 1 hour. DO NOT open the oven door during this time.
A few changes for this cheesecake
Don't like alcohol? You can switch out the Grand Marnier for orange juice and the tequila for lime juice.
Decorate the top with cream cheese frosting using a decorator tip. You'll find the recipe in the recipe notes section.
More Cheesecake deliciousness:
Chocolate Kahlua Cheesecake from 2 Cookin Mamas
Lemon Meringue Cheesecake from Ashlee Marie
Carrot Cake Cheesecake from 2 Cookin Mamas
Go ahead and take a bite. Cool, creamy richness will melt in your mouth and leave you with a bright, zesty and slightly tart flavor on your tongue. What more could you want than this cool dessert for the warm summer days ahead or make it the perfect ending to a Cindo de Mayo meal.
MARGARITA CHEESECAKE
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ½ cups vanilla wafer crumbs about 65 cookies
- 7 Tablespoons butter melted
- 2 teaspoons lime zest about 2 limes
Cheesecake
- 24 oz cream cheese (3 8-oz pkgs) room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 4 large eggs
- 2 cups sour cream
- 3 Tablespoons Grand Marnier
- 3 Tablespoons lime juice
- 3 Tablespoons tequila
- ½-1 teaspoon orange zest 1 orange
- 2-3 teaspoons lime zest about 3 limes
- Garnish: Additional orange and lime slices
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350° F. Butter springform pan on bottom and halfway up sides.
Crust
- Place vanilla wafers in food processor and pulse until fine crumbs. You can also use a Ziploc bag and rolling pin to make crumbs if you do not have a food processor.
- Stir in 2 teaspoons of lime peel and melted butter until mixture adheres together.
- Press into springform pan covering bottom and halfway up sides of pan.
- Bake for 15 minutes then let cool completely on wire rack.
Cheesecake
- In a large bowl beat cream cheese at medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually beat in the sugar and salt until well blended.
- On low speed, add eggs one at a time until well combined.
- Add sour cream, Grand Marnier, lime juice and orange and lime zest. Mix until just blended.
- Pour cheesecake mixture into cooled crust.
- Bake for 45 minutes then turn oven off and leave in the oven for an additional hour. Do not open door to check on it.
- Remove cheesecake from oven and cool completely in pan on wire rack.
- At this point you can remove the springform pan from around the side. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours prior to serving.
- When ready to serve, slice oranges and limes and garnish top of cheesecake for a beautiful tropical presentation.
Notes
Nutrition
This post has been updated with new photos and step-by-step directions. It was first published on July 28, 2014.