Microwave Lemon Curd or Lemon Pie Bars

I seriously could eat this lemon curd by the spoonful.  I found a microwaveable recipe over at Real Mom Kitchen.  It was so easy and so good.  I will be making this again without a doubt.  The first night it was PERFECT, not too tart, just right.  The 2nd night, after sitting in the refrigerator, it was a little more sour than the first night and it might make you pucker a little, but oh I loved it!

I used my lemon curd for some LEMON PIE BARS.  I found this idea in a new cookbook I just got the other day.  The picture looked so yummy.  They use a sugar cookie crust and top it with lemon curd and whipped topping.  Honestly, the bars didn't turn out as good as I had hoped.  I overbaked my sugar cookie crust, so it was a little dry and it turned out thicker than I had wanted, but oh well, that hasn't stopped me from eating them. 

Microwave Lemon Curd

1 c. granulated sugar

3 eggs

1 c. fresh lemon juice

zest of 2 lemons, finely grated

1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted

In a very large microwave-safe bowl, whisk together the sugar and eggs until very smooth.  Stir in the lemon juice, lemon zest and melted 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 spoon, about 4 minutes total.  Remove from the microwave and place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface.  Cool for one 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.  Yield: around 2 cups.      

adapted from: Real Mom Kitchen originally from All Recipes    

Whipped Topping

3 oz. cream cheese, softened

1 (6oz.) container French Vanilla fat-free yogurt

3/4 c. marshmallow cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 c. Cool Whip, thawed

Cream together the cream cheese, yogurt, marshmallow cream and vanilla.  Fold in the Cool Whip.  Refrigerate until ready to use.  

Jenn's Notes:  I cut the lemon curd recipe in half.  I used 3 1/2 lemons to get exactly 1/2 cup of lemon juice.  I had to stop and stir my mixture every 30 seconds, because it was getting so hot that it was overflowing my microwave-safe bowl.  So, make sure to use a very large bowl or you will have to stir it every 30-45 seconds.  For the bars, I used a homemade sugar cookie crust (you could always use store-bought if you chose to make the bars) The whipped topping is delicious.  I think if you folded the whipped topping into the lemon curd it would make an AMAZING dessert.  It would be great layered in a trifle.  If you love Lemon desserts, then I know you will LOVE this lemon curd!!!