Strawberry Pretzel Salad

The baked pretzel crust tastes like salted nuts in this layered strawberry gelatin salad. A favorite side salad (or dessert) at picnics, potlucks and holiday dinners.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups crushed pretzels
1/2 cup granulated sugar - divided use
3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
2 cups frozen non-dairy whipped topping
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 (6-ounce) package strawberry gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen strawberries, partially thawed

Cooking Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Mix pretzels with 1/4 cup sugar and melted butter. Press into 13 x 9-inch pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool; set aside.
3. Beat together 1/4 cup sugar, frozen whipped topping and cream cheese. Spread over pretzel crust. Cool until firm in refrigerator.
4. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, add strawberries with juice. Pour over pretzel crust and cream cheese mixture.
5. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares.

Makes 12 servings.

Tip: To make a low sugar version eliminate sugar in pretzel crust, use frozen strawberries without sugar in the juice and sugar free gelatin. Other fruits and flavors may be used, if desired.