Pretzel Jello

Plan ahead, this one takes some time, but is worth it!  Apparently this is not something that is popular all over the country.  My family from out West had never heard of this.  I'd like to think this is something special that comes from our neck of the woods!

2 cups crushed pretzels
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
6 oz. pkg. strawberry jello
10 oz. pkg. frozen strawberries, thawed
1 large Cool Whip
3/4 cup melted margarine
3 T. sugar
1 cup powdered sugar

1st Layer:  Mix crushed pretzels, 3/4 cup melted margarine and 3 T. sugar.  Put into 13x9 baking dish.  Bake at 400 for 8-10 minutes.  Cool completely.

2nd Layer:  Soften cream cheese, add 1 cup powdered sugar.  Mix well.  Add Cool Whip.  Spread over pretzel mixture and refrigerate until firm.

3rd Layer:  Mix strawberry jello thoroughly with 2 cups boiling water;  add thawed strawberries.  Put into refrigerator until jello just starts to gel.  Pour over top of the cream cheese mixture.  (If you pour over the back of a spoon, it will help the jello not to dig a hole in the cream cheese and mess up your pretty layers).  Refrigerate until firm.

Sweet Potato Pie

Great side dish for company.  It can be made ahead and baked just before dinner.

3 lbs. sweet potatoes, cooked and mashed

1 egg

½ cup sugar

½ t. cinnamon

2 ½ T. butter, melted

dash of salt

Topping:

½ cup ritz crackers, crushed

2 ½ T. butter, melted
¼ cup chopped pecans
½ cup brown sugar

Mix Pie ingredients together and spoon into a lightly greased 9" or 10" pie plate, or equivalent sized baking dish.  Spread topping over potatoes.  Bake at 350 for 30 minutes.