Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Fast, easy jello recipes (that are tasty to boot) are all the time a big hit at pot lucks and house gatherings, and this three-layer salad is no exception. You will have habitancy mental you slaved in the kitchen for hours. This dish doubles as dessert with no one the wiser. Strawberry pretzel salad is best served the next day, so all the ingredients can mesh together properly. Because it is so delicious, you may wish to make a duplicate batch. Rest assured, there will be no leftovers.

This is a very basic recipe. You can play with it in a myriad of ways. For instance, you can add food flavorings to the middle layer that will complement the top layer. If you are shooting for a tropical theme, add coconut flavoring to the filling, and add pineapples to the top level. Top it off with Jell-O's tropical fusion flavor and you are going home with empty pans.

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS

Chocolate frosty whipped topping can be supplanted and used in conjunction with strawberry or raspberry topping. Nuts can be added to the base.

Same goes for the top level. Lemon or lime jello with mandarin orange slices is a light, tasty combination. Or you could try using two distinct flavors of jello, and make the fruit flavor thoroughly unrelated, yet compatible. Maybe one lemon and one lime j jello, and add a combination of red and white grapes. Let your imagination be your guide. If you are trying something as a matter of fact unique, a test method would probably be a good idea.

What You Need:

Base:

2 cups crushed pretzels 3/4 cup butter, melted 3 tablespoons white sugar

Filling:

1 (8 ounce) holder cream cheese, softened 1 cup white sugar 1 (8 ounce) carton frosty whipped topping, thawed

Topping:

2 (3 ounce) packages strawberry gelatin 2 cups boiling water 2 (10 ounce) packages frosty strawberries

How To Make It:

Preheat oven to 400 F.

Combine first three ingredients and press into a 13 x 9 pan (alternately, you may wish to use two cake rounds).

Bake for eight minutes and set aside to cool. Keep a very close eye on the base. Others who have tried this method state that under-cooking is not a problem, but overcooking renders the base to a consistency best compared to cement. If your oven is not calibrated, you will be good off setting it a few degrees below the recommended temperature.

As it cools, incorporate the next three ingredients. Spread over base when it is cool to the touch.

Dissolve the jello into boiling water, and add the strawberries. Pour over the other layers and place in refrigerator overnight. Serves 12.

Note: Overnight is a recommendation. This dish needs at least an hour in the refrigerator before it is ready to be served.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

12 OUNCES EQUALS HOW MANY CUPS