Strawberry Pretzel Salad

If you haven't tried this, you must! I consider it to be more of a dessert, but it is a fun salad as well.


2 1/4 cups crushed pretzels
1/2 cup sugar, divided
3/4 cup melted butter or margarine
2 cups frozen dessert topping (Cool Whip)
1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese
1 (6 oz.) package strawberry gelatin mix
2 cups boiling water
1 (10 oz.) packages frozen strawberries, partially thawed

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix pretzels with 1/4 cup sugar and melted butter. Press into 13 x 9 inch pan. Bake 10 minutes. Cool; set aside. Beat together 1/4 cup sugar, frozen topping, and cream cheese. Sread over pretzel crust. Cool until firm in refrigerator. Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, add strawberries with juice. Pour over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until firm. Cut into squares.