Strawberry Pretzel Salad - Kid Style!

 

Going to the family reunion tomorrow.  It's 8:00 p.m. and I haven't made anything yet.

Rats.
 
So I decided to go with a personal favorite and get the kids involved - we all have more fun when we do things together (even if it takes longer to get things done).  It requires very little cooking, so the chances of me burning it are pretty small.  This is probably why it's my favorite take-to-a-picnic dessert.  That, and it's REALLY yummy!


STRAWBERRY JELL-O PRETZEL SALAD   

Here's the Recipe



Step 1:  Whack the Pretzels!!


This recipe calls for crushed pretzels, so I put a handful in a baggie for each kid and seal it.  Next, I give them a big spoon and show them how to whack the bag of pretzels with the back of the spoon.  Cheerful whacking sounds fill the air and in a minute or two, I have the crushed pretzels I needed.


Step 2:  Dump the Stuff!!


Let the kids take turns dumping in the stuff in a LARGE bowl.  Pour in the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 measured tablespoons of sugar.  Then let them stir it together (the bigger the bowl, the higher the chance that the ingredients will stay in it).


 Step 3:  Flatten it Out.

Whoops - forgot to take a picture of that.

Pour the mixture into a 9 x 13" pan and let the kids smooooth it out of the bottom of the pan.  I didn't know they would enjoy doing this part, but they did.
 

Step 4:  Whip it up!!

Cream cheese, sugar and whipped cream all together to make a big, fluffy filling.  Yum!


The kids love smoothing this over the pretzels (hint: if you cool the pretzel crust first, this part will be easier).  We love tasting this stuff, so I make sure not to scrape the bowl clean.

Step 5:  Jello Magic!!

Who doesn't love the magic of Jell-o?  When the boiling water is added to the dull colored jello powder, then explodes into beautiful color, it is magical.  It always brings a "WOW!" from my kids.  Almost like a science experiment.  Close to a baking soda/vinegar volcano, but not quite.


Add the frozen strawberries (Mom, these feel like frozen rocks!  Frozen strawberry rocks!  Get it??  Ha ha!  This kind of stuff cracks my kids up.  I don't know why.  I just go with it.)

Step 6:  Jell-o Berry Waterfall


Pour the Jell-o strawberry mixture over the cream cheese filling and smooth over once again.  I accidentally bought whole strawberries instead of sliced, but I think it will be fine.





Let chill for a while and TA-DA!  Dessert is served.   

It may have taken longer with the kids' help, but they had fun and tasted their creation along the way, like little chefs.

Though it may seem inconvenient at the time, when we spend time with our children, teaching them important skills, it helps prepare them for the future.  But that's not what they're thinking about.

 For kids, I've heard it said, love is spelled "T-I-M-E!!"  


When we spend time with them on purpose, our kids hear loud and clear:

"You are loved!" 



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