When you cook all the time, like I do, you forget how sometimes the SIMPLEST things are the BEST things.  Also, I get a lot of feedback from you when I post things that are EASY!

This is one of those recipes.  It has probably been around since one of God’s very best inventions: sweetened condensed milk!  I know I remember making similar things in the 70’s.  But I like this one because it is summer, and it is hot, and this can make you very happy.  The recipe says to refrigerate it, but I am going to try to freeze it and see how it comes out.

LEMON ICE BOX DESSERT (OR PIE)

1 8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 can Sweetened Condensed milk

1 8 oz. Coolwhip

3/4 cup frozen lemonade concentrate

yellow food coloring is optional–I didn’t use it, even though it would have made a prettier picture!

Graham Cracker or cookie crust.  I mixed one cup of smashed vanilla wafers with 1/4 cup finely chopped nuts, and 3/4 stick melted butter.  Smash into the bottom of the pan.  Then top with the lemon mix.  Refrigerate or freeze.  *may garnish with candied lemon slices.

*How to do candied citrus slices:  Slice fruit thinly, remove seeds.  In a boiling saucepan of water, place slices and let boil hard about a minute.  Then plunge into ice bath.  Repeat this process 3 times.  (what you are doing here is getting the bitterness out of the lemons).  In another saucepan, make a simple syrup:  1/2 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar.  Boil till sugar dissolves,  add lemon slices and boil 5 minutes.  Place slices over parchment or waxed paper on a rack.  Let set a few minutes, and then “dry” in a 250 oven for a couple of hours.  These can actually be eaten like candy if you are a lemon lover!  Ask me how I know…