Phyllis' Pretzel Salad

This recipe is my aunt's and is great served with poultry, has a nice sweet & salty flavor that compliments the main dish... or can be made as a dessert. My Aunt Phyllis made this one year for Thanksgiving in lieu of a cranberry fluff and it was a big hit. My boys loved it. I will make this from now on instead of the pretty cranberry fluff nobody eats. (except me and my mom) Thanks for this wonderful recipe Phyllis

• Ready In: 3 hrs 20 mins
• Serves: 24

Ingredients

• 1 1⁄2 cups  crushed  pretzels
• 4 1⁄2 tablespoons white sugar
• 3⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1  cup white sugar
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese
• 1 (8 ounce) container  frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 (6 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
• 2  cups boiling water
• 1 (16 ounce) package frozen strawberries

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes, or lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
2. In a medium bowl, beat the sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, about 30-40 minutes.
3. In a medium bowl, stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed. I let mine stand in the refrigerator until partially set. Pour over cream cheese mixture in pan. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 3-4 hours or overnight.