These pies are cool and creamy; a perfect ending to dinner on the patio. The liqueur can be omitted if you'd rather not indulge, or have other dietary and lifestyle considerations. Be sure to use the right kind of canned milk for the pie filling. Here we’re using evaporated milk, which is thin and pours like whole milk. Condensed milk is thick and syrupy; it is not suitable for this recipe.
1/2cupgraham cracker crumbs, plus more for garnish
1tablespoonsalted buttermelted
Filling
2tablespoonscold water
1envelope.25 oz. powdered gelatin
12oz.can evaporated milk
1cupgranulated sugar
1/2cuplime juice
2tablespoonsorange liqueur
1tablespoontequila
1cupheavy whipping creamwhipped to firm peaks
Lime wheelsfor garnish (optional)
Instructions
Rim the jars: Combine the margarita salt and pearl sugar in a small shallow dish. Dip an index finger into the corn syrup. Lightly coat the rims of each jar with the corn syrup using your finger. Dip rims into the sugar mixture. Set aside to dry, about 5 minutes.
Make the crust: Combine graham cracker crumbs and butter in a large bowl. Mix until the crumbs are coated with the butter. Divide between eight 4 1/2 ounce dessert cups. Lightly shake the jars to level the crumbs. Tamp crumbs down using a spoon or the bottom of a shot glass.
Prepare the filling: Pour the cold water in a small cup and quickly mix in the powdered gelatin. Let stand until set, about 2 minutes.
Heat the evaporated milk, sugar and set gelatin in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir until the sugar is melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling. Remove from the heat source. Add the lime juice. Pour the mixture into a medium bowl and refrigerate until cool, about 30 minutes. Add the orange liqueur and tequila. Mix well.
Whisk in 1 half of the whipped cream, mixture should be thick but pourable.
Divide filling among the jars filled with graham crumb mixture. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or until set. Transfer remaining whipped topping to a piping bag fitted with a closed star tip (Wilton 2D) and pipe whipped cream on top of set pie filling. You may also skip the piping and dollop whipped cream on with a spoon.
Sprinkle graham crumbs over the whipped cream. Garnish with lime wheels, if using. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
Notes
The salt mixture will make more than you need to rim the jars, but the amount is necessary. You need enough to dip and adequately coat the rims of the jars. The leftover mixture can be stored in a zip-top bag for the next batch you make. For a non-alcoholic version, omit the tequila and replace the orange liqueur with fresh orange juice.
Keyword margarita, margarita salt, pearl sugar, powdered gelatin