Macadamia Nut Lilikoi Ice Box Pie

Lilikoi, or passion fruit is one of the flavors that I closely associate with growing up in Hawaii.  It's the perfect tangy, sweet and fruity flavor.  The last time I was home I stocked up on locally made lilikoi butters and jellies so I could enjoy them up on the mainland.  I decided to make an old school Hawaii desert, a no bake ice box pie!  This desert comes together in a snap and may even convert the passion fruit hater into a passion fruit lover. 


Macadamia Nut Lilikoi Ice Box Pie
1 cup macadamia nuts, measured then chopped
1 (8oz) pkg cream cheese (I used low fat)
1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp sugar
3/4 cup butter
salt
1 cup powdered sugar
1 (14 oz) container of Cool Whip (or two 8oz containers)
1/2 cup - 3/4 cup lilikoi butter
1/2 cup lilikoi jelly

Crust
1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9×13 pan.   In a bowl combine flour, butter, sugar, chopped macadamia nuts and a pinch of salt until crumbly.  *Make sure you crumble to small pieces or you will have holes in your crust as the butter melts!*
2.  Press mixture into pan and bake for 20 minutes. 

3.  Let cool.  Mix jelly in a bowl to make it spreadable.  Spread a thin layer of lilikoi jam over the crust. 

Filling
1.  In a bowl combine softened cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla.  Beat or mix until well combined. 
2.  Fold in 8 oz of Cool Whip into the mixture.  Spread the mixture over the cooled jam covered crust.  Cover with foil and place in the refrigerator to set.

Topping
1.  Spread a thin layer of Lilikoi butter of the cream cheese mixture.  *The lilikoi butter I bought was rich in taste and had a strong lilikoi taste so I didn't layer it on too thick, if yours is not as strong, feel free to make a thicker layer.*

2.  Cover the lilikoi butter with a layer of Cool Whip with chopped mac nuts.

Sorry I didn't take a picture of it sliced, but it comes together really nice.  I took this over to my friends house for a lunch gathering and we all ate several pieces!