Is it a salad or a dessert? It's up to you to decide what to call this combination of crunchy, creamy, salty and sweet.
Topping:
2 - 4 serving boxes strawberry-flavored gelatin
2 C. boiling water
2 - 16 oz. boxes frozen sweetened strawberries, thawed
Crust:
2 C. pretzels, crushed (plus whole pretzels for garnish, if desired)
3/4 C. butter, melted
3 T. sugar
Filling:
8 oz. container Cool Whip frozen whipped topping, thawed (plus more for servings, if desired)
8 oz. package cream cheese, at room temperature
1 C. sugar
Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in strawberries. Refrigerate until partially set, about 1 hour 45 minutes. You could place it in the freezer for a little bit to speed it up and make it easier to spread.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, mix together crust ingredients. Press into an un-greased 13 x 9- inch baking dish. Bake 10 minutes. Cool on cooling rack.
In another medium bowl, beat together filling ingredients with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread over cooled crust. Cover.
Refrigerate until cool and gelatin topping in bowl is partially set.
Spoon gelatin topping over filling. Refrigerate 4 - 6 hours or until firm.
Cut into 12 portions.
Serve with a dollop of Cool Whip and a pretzel on each serving, if desired.
12 servings.