Jello Pretzel Salad

We were visiting our son Derek and his family the first time I had this salad. Oh my.. I could have eaten myself silly. I loved it!

There are three simple steps to this pretzel salad. It takes a little time, but it is so worth it!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 (8 oz) carton frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (6 oz) package strawberry Jello
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 (20 oz) package frozen strawberries, sliced

Directions:

Step 1: Make your Pretzel Crust

• Pour crushed pretzels into a large bowl
• Mix in the sugar (3 TBLS) and melted butter
• Mix well and press the crumbles into the bottom of an oven safe baking dish
• Bake on 350 for 7-9 minutes- just until brown

Step 2: Creamy Layer

• Combine cream cheese with 1 cup sugar with a mixer until smooth and sugar is dissolved
• Fold in the whipped topping
• Spread over the pretzel crust making sure to completely cover and seal the crust

Step 3: Jello Layer

• Dissolve Jello into boiling water
• Slowly add the package of frozen strawberries
• Let Jello mixture to thicken before you pour it over the creamy layer. If you do not let thicken, it will seep through the creamy layer and you will no longer have a layer salad
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight to set – slice into squares and serve

My crew like to squirt canned whipped topping on theirs for a little added goodness!