My Favorite Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Note: Having this salad in my refrigerator is dangerous for me. I can eat this salad for breakfast, lunch and supper and nothing else. It is a very pretty color red which makes it perfect for Christmas (or Valentine's Day or 4th of July!). To me, it is perfect anytime.

My Favorite Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients:
2 cups crushed pretzels
3/4 cup melted butter
3 tablespoons sugar, plus 3/4 cup sugar
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping
2 (3-ounce) packages strawberry gelatin dessert mix
2 cups boiling water
2 (10-ounce) packages frozen strawberries
1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple (Optional – I usually leave these out!!!)
Whipped topping or whipped cream, to garnish

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. For the crust, mix the pretzels, butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Press this mixture into a 9 by 13-inch pan and bake for 7 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool. In a mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and 3/4 cup of sugar. Fold in the whipped topping, and spread over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until well chilled. In a small bowl, dissolve the gelatin in the boiling water, and allow to cool slightly. Add the strawberries and pineapple, and pour over the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until serving time. To serve, cut slices and serve with a dollop of whipped topping.

I hope that you will Tempt My Tummy Tuesday one of your New Year's resolutions! Spending Tuesday with Lana and Lisa is one of my favorite parts of the week!