Shelly's Recipe

* Layered Lemon Pies *

Category: Pies - Cream and Custard

Pastry for two single-crust pies (9 inches)
1-1/2 cups sugar
6 tablespoons cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups cold water
3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
1/3 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup butter, cubed
1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon lemon extract
3 drops yellow food coloring, optional

SECOND LAYER:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners sugar
1-1/2 cups cold 2% milk
2 packages (3.4 ounces each) instant lemon pudding mix

TOPPING:
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup confectioners sugar
1 carton (16 ounces) frozen whipped topping, thawed

Line two 9-in. pie plates with pastry; trim and flute edges. Line unpricked pastry with a double thickness of heavy-duty foil. Bake at 450° for 8 minutes. Remove foil; bake 5-7 minutes longer or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch and salt. Stir in water until smooth. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat.

Stir a small amount of hot filling into egg yolks; return all to the pan, stirring constantly. Bring to a gentle boil; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from the heat. Gently stir in the lemon juice, butter, lemon peel, extract and food coloring if desired. Cool to room temperature without stirring. Spread lemon mixture into crusts. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until firm.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Gradually beat in milk. Add pudding mix; beat 2 minutes longer. Let stand for 2 minutes or until soft-set. Gently spread into pies. Refrigerate for 30 minutes or until set.

For topping, in a large bowl, beat cream cheese and confectioners' sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over tops of pies. Refrigerate until set. Yield: 2 pies (10 servings each).