Gather the ingredients - * Flour * Butter * Sugar * Cream cheese * Lemon juice * Instant lemon pudding * Milk * Cool whip
Place the flour, butter, and sugar into a large bowl. Cut the butter into the flour and sugar until the butter is very small pieces.
Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes or until golden and puffed. Allow to cool completely.
Meanwhile, prepare the cream cheese layer by stirring together the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice until smooth. Set aside.
Prepare the lemon layer by stirring together the pudding powder and milk until smooth. Set aside.
Assemble the dessert by spreading the cream cheese layer over the cooled crust, followed by the lemon layer, and finally the cool whip.
Allow to chill for at least 4 hours before slicing and serving. Serve with slices of lemon or lemon zest (if desired).