Strawberry Pretzel Salad

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving, so just in time for Thanksgiving here is a different Jell-O Salad/Dessert. We are famous for loving Jell-O here in Utah. I took a poll at work and everyone had heard of this Jell-O salad, but not many had ever made it. So here you go! In Utah we call it a salad but in the Deep South they call it a dessert. I just call it delicious, and even better I can easily make it gluten free.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

CRUST 4 Cups pretzels (about 8 ounces) ¾ Cup butter, melted 3 Tablespoon sugar FILLING 1 package (8 ounce) cream cheese, softened 3/4 Cup sugar 2 Cups Cool Whip whipped topping (8 oz. package)

TOPPING 2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry gelatin 1 ½ Cups boiling water

2 packages (16 ounces) frozen sliced SWEETENED strawberries, THAWED

For the crust; in a food processor bowl that is fitted with the bottom blade, place the 4 cups pretzels. Pulse the food processor to lightly crush the pretzels. (Will make about 2 cups crushed). Add the melted butter and sugar. Process until just combined. Press into an ungreased 13×9 baking dish.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

For the filling; in a medium bowl and an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Add the whipped topping and stir to combine. Spread over the cooled pretzel crust.

For the topping; in another bowl add the Jell-O to the boiling water and combine. Stir until completely dissolved. Stir in the strawberries, including the syrup. Chill until partially set, about 15 minutes. Carefully spoon over the filling. Chill until firm about 4 hours.

Cut into squares and serve with additional whipped topping or sweetened whipped cream.

I have made this with fresh strawberries and it was awesome. I used 5 cups sliced strawberries and ¾ cup sugar, let them sit until sugar is dissolved. I also have made this with frozen raspberries and raspberry Jell-O, this is really my favorite.

*To make Gluten Free use GF pretzels.