Make your family and guests happy by serving this light and creamy layered dessert. It's cool and refreshing and is easy and quick to make. If anyone has a nut allergy, just leave out the pecans.
Crust:
2 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. butter, softened
1/2 c. finely chopped pecans
1/4 c. sugar
2 - 8 oz. packages cream cheese, softened
1 c. sugar
1 T. freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 - 3.4 oz. packages instant lemon pudding mix
3 1/2 c. milk
6 oz. container whipped topping, thawed or homemade whipped cream
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Crust:
In a medium bowl, stir together flour, softened butter, pecans, and sugar until evenly mixed. Press into the bottom of a 9 X 13 inch pan.
Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until golden brown; cool.
Using an electric mixer, beat cream cheese, sugar and lemon juice until smooth. Spread on top of the cooled crust.
In a medium bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk until somewhat thick, about 3 - 5 minutes. Pour on top of cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.
Spread whipped topping over top. Cut into squares.
12 servings.
*If you want pretty slices, you must partially freeze the lemon lush. It will defrost fairly quickly.
**Some people have complained that the crust is very hard, but it will soften up after the dessert has been refrigerated.