Shamrock Swirl Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs (about 150g)

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50g)

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter (melted, 115g)

• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Shamrock Swirl Filling:

• 2 cups heavy whipping cream (480ml)

• 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)

• 1 cup powdered sugar (120g)

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 1/4 cup lime juice (freshly squeezed, about 2 limes)

• 1 tablespoon lime zest (from about 2 limes)

• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional, for a minty flavor)

• Green food coloring (gel or liquid)

For the Topping:

• Whipped cream (optional)

• Mini shamrock sprinkles or green sugar (for decoration)

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Instructions:

1. Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

• In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs, granulated sugar, melted butter, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well combined.

• Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9-inch pie pan, covering the entire base evenly.

• Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until it is golden and slightly firm. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

2. Prepare the Shamrock Swirl Filling:

• In a large mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream with a hand mixer or stand mixer until stiff peaks form. Set aside.

• In another bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.

• Add the lime juice, lime zest, and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and mix until well incorporated.

• If using peppermint extract for an added minty flavor, mix it in at this stage.

• Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. Be careful not to deflate the whipped cream, and mix until just combined. The filling should be light and fluffy.

3. Color the Filling for the Swirl:

• Divide the filling into two portions. Leave one portion as is (this will be the white filling).

• To the second portion, add green food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you achieve the desired shade of green. You can use a small amount of gel food coloring for a vibrant green or liquid food coloring if you prefer.

• Gently fold the food coloring into the filling until it is fully mixed.

4. Assemble the Pie:

• Take your cooled graham cracker crust and start by spooning alternating dollops of the white and green filling into the crust. Do not spread them out completely yet.

• Once the filling is added, use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the green and white fillings together, creating a marbled effect. You can make random swirls or create a more structured swirl pattern depending on your preference.

5. Chill the Pie:

• Once the pie is assembled, cover it with plastic wrap or a pie lid.

• Chill the pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight to allow the filling to set.

6. Decorate the Pie:

• Before serving, top the pie with whipped cream, if desired.

• Garnish with mini shamrock sprinkles, green sugar, or additional lime zest for a festive St. Patrick’s Day touch.

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Nutritional Information (Approximate per slice, based on 8 servings):

• Calories: 350-400 kcal (depending on the crust and filling)

• Fat: 20-25g (from the heavy cream and cream cheese)

• Carbs: 40-45g (mostly from sugar and crust)

• Protein: 3-4g (mainly from cream cheese)

• Sugar: 30-35g (from powdered sugar and lime juice)

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Tips for Success:

• Use freshly squeezed lime juice for a brighter, fresher flavor. If you can, make sure to zest the limes before juicing them for maximum flavor.

• Adjust the green food coloring to get the perfect St. Patrick’s Day shade of green. You can also use gel food coloring for a more concentrated, vibrant color.

• For a minty twist, you can substitute part of the lime juice with peppermint extract for that signature Shamrock flavor.

Enjoy your festive Shamrock Swirl Pie, perfect for St. Patrick’s Day or any time you want a delicious, green-themed dessert! 🥧🍀