Thursday, July 2, 2009

Strawberry/Pretzel Dessert

Now, I will say that when my mom first told me about this dessert years ago I was very apprehensive. Pretzels, good; cream cheese and Cool Whip, good, Jell-O, good...but all together, not so much. She told me to just try it and I've been hooked ever since. However, I still don't care for her broccoli salad, but it's a hit with others. Anyways, here's the recipe:

Strawberry/Pretzel Dessert

Ingredients:

Pretzels, broken
2 tbs of sugar
2/3 cup of butter (this is about 1 1/3 sticks...melted)
1 block of cream cheese (softened)
1 cup of sugar (there's sugar twice in this...gotta love that!)
12 oz of Cool Whip
2 small boxes of strawberry Jello-O
2 cups of boiling water
16-20 oz of sweetened frozen strawberries (thawed)

I know this calls for a certain amount of pretzels, but since I love this layer I just break them up and drop them in the 9x13 dish. Basically, you want them to cover the bottom. Then I sprinkle the 2 tbs of sugar and pour in the butter. Then I stir it all around so the pretzels are coated. Cool completely (I usually put it in the fridge and it cools pretty quickly).

In a bowl I mix the softened cream cheese and the 1 cup of sugar. Then fold in (doesn't that sound fancy) the Cool Whip. Spread over cooled pretzels.

Try and make sure that you spread this mixture all the way to the edges of the dish so that when you pour the Jell-O it won't sink down to the pretzels...that will make them soggy.

Add two boxes of Jell-O to a bowl and pour in the two cups of boiling water. I always stir until the powder is dissolved. Then add the sweetened strawberries and stir. Let sit for 10 minutes.

Carefully spoon the Jell-O mixture on top of the cream cheese mixture. This will also prevent the liquid from sinking to the pretzels. If I just pour it in from the bowl it sinks every time, so I have learned to be a little patient.

Place in fridge and let chill for about 4 hours or until the Jell-O is formed.

Enjoy!

17 comments:

The Starr Family said...

Really? Now this I have to try... you've piqued my curiosity!

Joanna said...

Yummy!!! Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe! I will have to try it out!

alyssa said...

YUMMY!!!!

Miller Racing Family said...

This is one of our family favorites. If you bring it to a family event you will go back home with a spotless pan.

Andi @ A Little Piece of Pink said...

hmmm... I've seen this recipe before and just wasn't sure 'bout it. But now I think I'll have to try it! Thanks for sharing!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Yummy Kelli! That is one of my most favorite desserts EVER! Now I am totally craving some!

XOXO
Jen

Kelli W said...

I have seen this before...and always thought it sounded a little strange! But yours looks and sounds SUPER yummy! I may have to try it out!

Kelli said...

I may just give this one a try! Have a happy Fourth of July with your family Kel!!

Anonymous said...

I love this dessert! It has been in my family for years too!

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

Oh... and oldie but a goodie. Eaten at every Sunday church potluck in my childhood.

Thanks for sharing the recipe darlin'!

happy 4th to you and your sweet family.

Heidi Boos said...

I agree with you on the yumminess of all of these ingredients, but together!? But, if you say so...I'll give it a shot. I trust you! ;)

Have a wonderful 4th of July with your family. Hope you have been doing well. I have appreciated all of your comments and hope to come by to visit a little more regularly. Summer is so busy...the kids just want to be outside all day, which means I'm right there with them! :)

Sandy said...

I have made this before and we like it a lot.
We like our broccoli salad, too!
I bet your mom's recipe is great!
Happy 4th to you and your family!
Thank you for sharing the recipe.

Carrie said...

okay...you're right...somebody brought that to a cookout last night, and I was totally afraid to try it! But after reading this...I'm going to try and make it myself! Thanks! It does look tasty! Have a wonderful weekend!

Ms. Tee said...

Oh, heavens to betsy, I have to try this. Sweet and salty are my favorites together. Thanks for sharing it!

Katie said...

Thanks for posting! That is exactly the one I had and I am so going to make it myself now. It's so good. I've printed it out and it's ready to go for a family gathering we have coming up.

PS: Loved the fun firestation pictures. Looks like such a fun time.

Meredith said...

Yeah? A little questionable for me, but it sounds like something that would be right up Amy's alley.

Carisa said...

I am here visiting from FMM and I scrolled down and saw this!! This is the exact dessert my dad makes every thanksgiving!!!! It is SO yummy!

;) Carisa