Heavenly Lemon Dessert

Here's what you need:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 16 oz. cream cheese, softened (or 16 oz. whipped cream cheese)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 tsp. lemon extract
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice
• 3 heaping Tbsp. corn starch
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1 cup sour cream
• Cool Whip for topping (approx. an 8 oz. tub, but you can use more to your taste)
• zest of a lemon for garnish (optional)

Preheat your oven to 350F. In a large bowl, mix melted butter, flour and baking powder until well combined. Spread evenly into a 9x13 pan. Bake in your preheated oven for 25 minutes. Allow to cool completely before going to next step. 

While the cookie base is baking, make your first layer of filling. Mix together cream cheese with 1 cup of sugar. Mix until completely combined and smooth. Pour this over your cooled cookie and spread evenly over the top. Place in refrigerator while you make the second layer. 

In a medium saucepan, add your milk and heat over medium heat until it comes a boil. While the milk is heating, in a medium bowl, mix the beaten egg with the lemon extract and lemon juice. Add the corn starch and mix with a fork to combine and break up any lumps. Add sugar and mix well. Add salt and mix well. Set aside until the milk is boiling. 

Once the milk comes to a boil, SLOWLY add the egg mixture in a steady stream, whisking constantly as you pour it in. Continue to whisk with a wire whisk until the mixture comes to a boil and gets very thick. 

Remove from heat and add in the 1/4 cup butter. Stir until the butter is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Set aside until it cools completely. 

When it is cool, add the 1 cup of sour cream and fold/stir it in until there are no streaks of white showing. 

Remove your pan from the fridge and pour the lemon pudding on top of the cream cheese layer. Spread evenly to the edges. 

Top with Cool Whip and spread to the edges. Garnish with lemon zest, if using. You can serve immediately for a softer set or chill for a bit to allow it to set up some. Either way, it's amazing! Enjoy!