Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Good old strawberry pretzel salad. Isn't it wonderful?! Oh how I love the salty pretzel crust with the creamy filling and sweet topping. SO good. I think I'll be making this a lot more since my kids absolutely loved it. I know it's name says "salad", but really this is more of a dessert.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

2 cups finely crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar, divided
2/3 cup butter, melted
1 1/2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
2 tablespoons milk
1 cup thawed Cool Whip
2 cups boiling water
2, 3 oz packages strawberry Jello
1 cup cold water
1 lb strawberries, sliced

Preheat oven to 350. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup sugar, and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.

Beat cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and milk until well blended. Gently stir in the Cool Whip. Spread over crust. Refrigerate until strawberry topping is ready.

Meanwhile, stir boiling water into dry Jello powder in a large bowl for at least 2 minutes, until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate for about 1 hour or until thickened slightly. Stir in strawberries. Spoon over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 3 hours or until firm. Cut into squares to serve. Store leftovers in fridge.