No Bake Luscious Lemon Bars!

I had a bag of lemons in the fridge that really needed to be used so I decided that I would make lemon bars.  I also had cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk, two of my favorite things, so I thought they should be no bake lemon bars.  In southern Kentucky, once the weather gets warm, the last thing you want to do is turn the oven on to bake something.  This dessert is rich and wonderful and no heat is required. 

Here is what you will need:

Graham cracker crumbs, butter, lemon Jello instant pudding, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip), lemon juice, milk, and vanilla flavoring.

With an electric mixer whip together the softened cream cheese and condensed milk.

Add 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 cup lemon juice, 2 pkgs. lemon pudding mix, and 1/2 cup milk and blend well.  Fold in 8 oz. frozen whipped topping slightly thawed until well incorporated.

Melt 1 stick of butter and add 2 cups of graham cracker crumbs to it, mix and then pat into a 9"x13" baking dish.  Pour the lemon mixture over the crust.   Place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, overnight is great also.

When it has set up, sprinkle about a 1/2 cup of graham cracker crumbs over the top.

Top with a swirl of whipped cream and a lemon slice and you have a beautiful dessert without ever turning on the oven.

Ingredients:

2 cups graham cracker crumbs

1 stick butter

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1 can sweetened condensed milk

2  3 oz. pkgs. instant lemon pudding mix

1/2  cup milk

8 oz. frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip)

1 tsp. vanilla flavoring

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice  ( juice of 2-3 lemons)

1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs for topping