Bruce's Lemon Icebox Cheesecake

CRUST
10 lemon sandwich cookies, broken into pieces (about 1 1/4 cups)
2 Tbls butter, melted
1 tsp grated lemon zest

CURD
buy ready made lemon curd, or use Julie's Microwave Lemon Curd recipe

FILLING
1 envelope (2 3/4 tsp) unflavored gelatin (or use lemon jello)
1/4 cup lemon juice from 2 lemons
1 1/2 lbs cream cheese, cut into 1 inch pieces and softened
3/4 cup sugar
pinch salt
1 1/4 cups heavy cream

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Process cookies in food processor until finely ground. Add butter and zest and pulse until combined.  Press mixture into a 9" springform pan. Bake until lightly browned and set, about 10 minutes. Cool completely (at least 30 minutes)

Combine lemon juice and gelatin in a small bowl and let stand until gelatin softens, about 5 minutes. Microwave until mixture is bubbling around edges and gelatin dissolves, about 30 seconds.  set aside.

Beat cream cheese, sugar and salt until smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes). Slowly add cream and beat until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add gelatin mixture and 1/4 cup lemon curd. Increase speed to medium high and beat until smooth and airy, about 3 minutes.

Pour filling into crust and smooth top.  Pour remaining curd  in thin lines onto the top and lightly drag a knife or skewer through it to create a marbled appearance. Refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours.

Cream Cheese Lemon Pie

Cream Cheese Filling:

Ingredients:

• 4 oz cream cheese, softened.
• 4 Tbsp butter
• 1 cup powdered sugar

Method:

Beat until light and fluffy. Spread into the bottom of pre baked pie crust. Refrigerate to set,

Lemon Filling:

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 3 Tbsp flour
• 3 Tbsp cornstarch
• Dash of salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 2 Tbsp butter
• 2 tsp lemon peel
• 1/3 cup lemon juice

Method:

Mix sugar, flour, cornstarch, and salt. Gradually stir in water. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Remove from heat and set aside. Beat eggs yolks. Gradually stir 1 cup of hot filling into egg yolks. Return to saucepan, stir and bring to a gentle boil for 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon peel and butter. Stir in lemon juice and cool. When cooled. Spread filling over cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour. Cover with sweetened whip cream to serve.

Microwave Lemon Curd

• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup lemon juice
• zest of 2 lemons (you can omit this if you aren't using fresh lemon juice)
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted

1. In a microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until smooth. Stir in lemon juice, lemon zest and butter. Cook in the microwave for one minute intervals, stirring after each minute until the mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. This took me a total of 4 minutes.
2. Remove from the microwave cool for 1 hour. Store for up to three weeks in the refrigerator in a sealed container. It will thicken a little more once it has been refrigerated.

Recipe from www.realmomkitchen.com

Lemon Lucys

1 cup flour
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Sift flour and sugar into a bowl. Blend in butter with a fork or pastry blender. Pat evenly into the bottom of an 8 x 8 pan. Bake for 20 minutes in a 350° oven. Let cool before proceeding to the next step (this is important)

Meanwhile...

Combine together the following:

2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
2 1/2 T. Fresh lemon juice
Dash of salt

Pour over baked crust and return to oven for 20-25 minutes. Cool, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.