Simple Lemon Pie Recipe and Review

This pie is SO simple that it could become a treasured childhood memory as you make this with your elementary school child.

It is SO simple that someone who "burns water" can make this.

I mean it REALLY is simple.   Three ingredients plus a ready made pie shell and an optional topping.

Here are the ingredients:

1. 1/3 Cup Lemon Juice
2. 8 Ounces Cream Cheese
3. 1 Can (14 ounces) Sweetened Condensed Milk
4. 1 Graham Cracker Pie shell.  

That's all.... Oh how to "cook" this?  That's the beauty of this pie, you don't.

1. Mix together the ingredients in a big bowl until they're smooth.
2. Pour Ingredients into Pie Shell.
3. Chill in refrigerator until set.

Yes, you too can make a pie.

Now here's the review: 

I made this for Thanksgiving.  I was pressed for time after churning butter, making biscuits, cookie dough, lunch and some other things were tossed in the mixed the day before Thanksgiving.  I had some "backup" cakes in the refrigerator that were ready-made so I was safe if this turned out badly.  I wanted quick!

It took me all of 10 minutes and that was because I dawdled.   You can put it all in a blender to make the filling silky smooth.  Next time I will because I used low fat cream cheese and it clumped more than I like. 

I also used Meyer Lemons which are amazingly juicy but a milder flavor than "regular" lemons.  One lemon gave me 1/3 cup juice which is an awful lot in comparison with the "regular" lemons.  I'll use two next time and add a little cornstarch to thicken the mix a little more.

The pie's taste was like a Lemon Cheesecake.  It was rich, tasted like a no bake cheesecake that I've had before.  I will make it again, especially since it was so quick to make. 

The only draw back I found was that since it was a No Bake pie, it wasn't truly "firm".  The texture was a wee bit looser than I personally prefer, but it did set up perfectly.  When my piece was served, it was also warmer since it was sliced and set out on the counter for 30 minutes.  I recommend serving this cold.

Variations include more lemon juice, use lime or another citrus juice, add a meringue topping, add whipped cream, mascarpone cheese, and finally low fat cheese.

Don't forget the Cherry on top!  Enjoy and best of luck!