#2180 - Pretzel Jell-O

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 cups coarsely crushed salted pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter
3 TBSP white sugar + 1/2 cup white sugar
1 - 8oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
1 - 8oz. Cool Whip (thawed)
1 - 6oz. box strawberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
2 - 10oz. boxes frozen strawberries (slightly thawed)

In a bowl add crushed pretzels, melted butter and 3 TBSP white sugar--mix with a spoon. Spread the mixture into the bottom of a greased glass 9 x 13 baking dish. Bake at 400 degrees for 8 minutes--cool completely. In a mixer add 1/2 cup white sugar, cream cheese and Cool Whip--beat until smooth. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust. In a bowl whisk the boiling water and Jell-O mixture until powder dissolves. Add both boxes of strawberries to the Jell-O mixture--stir until mixed. Cool to room temperature, then pour the Jell-O mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until cold.