Foodie Friday – Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This is one of my absolute FAVORITE summer treats.  The term ‘salad’ is used pretty loosely, as I would call it more like a dessert casserole maybe?  At any rate, I get excited every time my mom makes it :)

When hubby and I were discussing on our menu for Mother’s Day, I suggested this dish.  It’s my first shot making it so I had to call my mom and verify a couple of things, but overall it wasn’t bad for my first go at it.  I have a feeling I’ll be making it more as the summer goes along :)

Ingredients
3/4 cup margarine or butter, melted
3 tablespoons brown sugar
2 1/2 cups crushed pretzels (don’t crush too fine)
2 cups boiling water
1 large package strawberry jello (I used sugar free)
1 lb package frozen, slightly thawed strawberries
8 oz package cream cheese (I used 1/3 fat)
1 cup granulated sugar
1 small container Cool Whip (I used light)

Directions
1.  Combine margarine, brown sugar, and pretzels.  Mix well.  Pour into lightly buttered 9x13” dish.  Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.  Set aside and allow to cool completely.

2.  Dissolve Jell-o in water.  While hot, add chilled strawberries.  Cool in refrigerator until mixture begins to set (around 2 hours).  Stir occasionally.

3.  Cream the cream cheese with the sugar and fold in whipped cream.

4.  Spread cream cheese mixture over COOLED crust.

5.  When Jell-0 mixture begins to set, pour it over the top of the cream cheese mixture.
6.  Refrigerate until firm, preferably overnight.  It’s best if you eat it within a couple of days before the pretzels get too soggy on the bottom.

It was a big hit and not too shabby for my first try!  Definitely a crowd pleaser :)

I hope everyone has a fun and safe Memorial Day weekend!

What dessert do you look forward to enjoying during the summer?

Until next time,

LiveJournal Tags: Foodie Friday,strawberries,recipe,Mother's Day