Makeover Frosty Lemon Squares

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Bake: 15 min. + freezing
Yield 20 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
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 Recipes Test Kitchen

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

Directions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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

1 piece: 240 calories, 10g fat (7g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 164mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 0 fiber), 3g protein.

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 Recipes Test Kitchen
Recipe Creator

© 2025 RDA Enthusiast Brands, LLC