strawberries make everything better

I used to be a HUGE strawberry lover, i could eat them by the bucket load, but i lost my strawberry mojo back in November and never found it until this posting by brown eyed baker Strawberry pretzel squares !!!. They are a MUST try, i never eat my own baking (yes the weirdness of the fairy continues lol), but i have to say i inhaled this, and was quite tempted to leave the fork in the pie (i never cut it into bars) as i knew i would be back for second and third. I love love love baking from scratch and i have to admit that when i read jello, i was almost ready to not have a go. then i really started craving that strawberry pretzel squares that i never heard or had before (as you do). I was determined to alter it a bit because I really don't do jello. I had plans of drizzling some chocolate over the pretzel base (ya i also have a chocolate covered pretzel problem) then instead of the strawberries in jello, simply making the strawberry pie filling i had on hand which i love, then drizzling some more chocolate on top to make it all pretty and stuff....

but i got lazy lol and for once just decided to try it as is...i made it late one night, and it was waiting for me in the morning...i may or may not have had it for breakfast X2 that morning ( hey it has 3/4 of my food groups depending on who you are asking lol)

I am actually going to make this again for a get together we are all going to next Saturday (it's the only way for me to have a piece, without inhaling the whole thing). ok my picture makes it look less then appetizing but i was too busy inhaling it to stop to take a decent one. I guess this fairy will have to admit that Kraft might be worth another look on my part.


Strawberry Pretzel Squares
(Source: Kraft Foods)

2 cups finely crushed pretzels
½ cup sugar, divided
2/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1½ pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 Tbsp. milk
1 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg. (8-serving size) JELL-O Brand Strawberry Flavor Gelatin
1½ cups cold water
1 qt. (4 cups) strawberries, sliced

PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Mix pretzel crumbs, 1/4 cup of the sugar and the butter. Press onto bottom of 13×9-inch baking pan. Bake 10 min. Cool.

BEAT cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup sugar and the milk until well blended. Gently stir in whipped topping. Spread over crust. Refrigerate until ready to use.

MEANWHILE, stir boiling water into dry gelatin mix in large bowl at least 2 min. until completely dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate 1½ hours or until thickened (spoon drawn through leaves definite impression). Stir in strawberries. Spoon over cream cheese layer. Refrigerate 3 hours or until firm. Cut into squares to serve. Store leftovers in refrigerator.