Ingredients
– 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
– 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1/4 cup granulated sugar
– 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
– 1 cup powdered sugar
– 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
– Zest of 2 lemons
– 1 cup whipped cream, for topping
– Fresh lemon slices and mint, for garnish (optional)
Equipment Needed
– 9×9 inch baking dish
– Mixing bowls
– Hand mixer or stand mixer
– Rubber spatula
– Measuring cups and spoons
– Zester (if you don’t have one, a cheese grater works too!)
Step-by-Step Instructions
To start, I preheat my oven to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating, I grab a large mixing bowl and combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar. This mixture is really satisfying to work with—just imagine the buttery, sweet aroma filling up your kitchen! Once combined, I press it firmly into the bottom of a greased 9×9-inch baking dish to create a crust. It’s okay if it doesn’t look perfect; it just needs to hold together. Bake for about 10 minutes until the crust is lightly golden and then let it cool a bit. (See the next page below to continue steps…)