MAKEOVER FROSTY LEMON SQUARES

Makeover Frosty Lemon Squares image

This dessert has a lemony filling sandwiched between two creamy layers and a crunchy crust. What's not to love? Simple changes in the original recipe subtracted a lot of the calories and saturated fat, but left a ton of great lemon flavor and a rich cream cheese layer. -Taste of Home Test Kitchen

Provided by Taste of Home

Time 45m

Yield 20 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 22

Ingredients

1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
1/2 cup ground pecans
CREAM CHEESE LAYER:
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
1 package (8 ounces) fat-free cream cheese
3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed
LEMON LAYER:
1-1/4 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
1-1/4 cups water
3/4 cup lemon juice
2 tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
3 to 4 drops yellow food coloring, optional
TOPPING:
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
1 carton (8 ounces) frozen reduced-fat whipped topping, thawed

Steps:

In a small bowl, cream butter and confectioners' sugar until light and fluffy. Gradually add flour and cornstarch (mixture will be crumbly). Stir in pecans. Press into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake at 350° for 14-16 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool on a wire rack., In a large bowl, beat cream cheeses and confectioners' sugar until fluffy. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Cover and freeze for 1 hour., Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, salt and water until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat; stir in the lemon juice, butter, lemon zest and food coloring if desired. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate for 1 hour., Spread lemon mixture over cream cheese layer. Cover and freeze for 1 hour. Fold lemon zest into whipped topping; spread over lemon layer. Cover and freeze for up to 1 month. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 240 calories, Fat 10g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 18mg cholesterol, Sodium 164mg sodium, Carbohydrate 35g carbohydrate (21g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.