#938 - Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 cup graham cracker crumbs
2 TBSP butter (melted)
1 - 3oz. box strawberry Jell-O
1 cup boiling water
1 - 16oz. bag frozen sliced strawberries (thawed and sweetened to your taste)
1 TBSP lemon juice
4oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)-- 1/2 on an 8oz. package
1/2 cup Domino's powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
a dash of salt
1 cup heavy whipping cream (whipped)--OR Cool Whip
fresh sliced strawberries for garnish

In a bowl add graham crackers crumbs and melted butter--mix. Press graham cracker mixture into a greased 8" square baking dish. Bake at 325 degrees for 10-14 minutes or until browned--cool completely. In a separate bowl add Jell-O and boiling water--stir until dissolved. Add thawed, sweetened strawberries and lemon juice--stir. Refrigerate strawberry mixture for 90 minutes or until partially set. In a mixer add cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla and salt--beat. Remove from mixer and add whipped cream or Cool Whip--stir. Spread half of the cream cheese mixture over cooled crust. Put the rest of the cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator. Pour all of the Jell-O mixture on top of cream cheese mixture in the crust--refrigerate until Jell-O is completely firm. After the Jell-O has set completely, spread remaining cream cheese mixture on top. Refrigerate overnight and garnish with fresh sliced strawberries.