Luscious and Creamy Lemon Layer Dessert Squares

Slice into this dessert and reveal the layers of creamy lemon goodness! This dessert is surprisingly simple to make, my teenage son clipped it out of a newspaper a few years ago and made it for dessert that night.

Luscious Lemon Layer Dessert Squares

Filling
1-1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1-1/2 cups cold water
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
3 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/2 cup lemon juice

Crust
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/2 cup cold butter

Topping
1 (8oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
2 cup cold milk
2 (3.4 oz. each) packages instant vanilla pudding mix.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (16 oz) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

Directions
In medium saucepan combine sugar and cornstarch; mix well. Gradually stir in water until smooth. Cook over medium heat until mixture boils, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; cook 2 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Stir about 1/4 cup of hot mixture into egg yolks; blend well. Add egg yolk mixture to mixture in saucepan. Cook over low heat until mixture boils, stirring constantly. Cook and stir 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in butter, lemon peel, and lemon juice. Refrigerate until cool.

Combine flour and nuts in a medium bowl. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Press onto the bottom of a greased 13×9x2-inch baking dish. Bake at 350°F. for 15 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Cool on wire rake.

In a mixing bowl beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth; carefully spread over cooled crust. Spoon and spread cooled lemon mixture over cream cheese layer.

In another bowl, combine milk and pudding mixes; beat for two minutes. Add vanilla; mix well. Fold half of the whipped topping into pudding mixture; spread over lemon layer. Spread remaining whipped topping over pudding mixture. Chill for at least 4 hours before cutting into squares. 18 to 24 Servings.

Similar Recipes: Quick and Easy Lemon Jello Cake, Lemon Truffle Pie