Fresh Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Squares

This is a light and refreshing dessert.

Ingredients:
3 cups pretzel sticks, crushed
1 tablespoon sugar
3/4 cup butter
8 ounce cream cheese (at room temperature)
1 cup sugar
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 ounce package strawberry gelatin
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
2 cups boiling water
additional strawberries or blueberries for garnish (optional)
whipped cream for garnish (optional)

Method:

Preheat oven to 400*. Place pretzels and tablespoon of sugar into a large bowl. Place butter in a microwave safe measuring cup or bowl. Heat in microwave oven, for 20 second intervals, until melted. (Or melt, in a pan, over low heat, on top of stove.) Pour over pretzels and stir to mix. Press pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes, just until golden brown. Set aside and allow to cool.
In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar, with an electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Beat the cream and vanilla, on high speed, until medium to stiff peaks form. (about 1 minute) Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until well blended. Spread the mixture over the fully cooled pretzel crust, making sure the cheese mixture completely covers all of the pretzel layer. Place in the refrigerator.
In a large bowl, mix the gelatin with the boiling water. Allow to cool slightly. Add the strawberries and stir to mix. Gently spoon the gelatin and strawberries over the cream cheese layer, being careful not to disturb the cream filling. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set.
Cut into squares to serve. Garnish with whipped cream and additional sliced strawberries or one whole berry. 

Notes: 

This is a delicious fresh fruit dessert that makes lots and is perfect to serve a brunches, potlucks and summer gatherings.

For the 4th of July, garnish with blueberries for a red, white and blue dessert.