Freedom Bars

Ingredients

• 2 cups pretzels, finely crushed
• 3/4 cup sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 2 cups water, boiling
• 1 (6-ounce) package of strawberry gelatin
• 1 pound of fresh strawberries, chopped
• 2 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon lime zest, grated
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Place the crushed pretzels and 1/4 cup sugar together in a small bowl.

3. Stir in the melted butter.

4. Spread the pretzel mixture in a 15×10-inch baking pan.

5. Bake until golden brown, about 9-11 minutes.

6. Allow the crust to cool completely.

7. In a bowl, add the boiling water to the gelatin and stir until completely dissolved, for about 2 minutes.

8. Gently stir in the strawberries.

9. Let the strawberry mixture cool slightly before refrigerating for at least 30 minutes.

10. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, lime zest, lime juice, vanilla, and remaining sugar until blended.

11. Stir in the cooled pretzel mixture.

12. Spread the cream cheese pretzel mixture evenly into a 13×9-inch baking pan.

13. Top with the strawberry mixture.

14. Cover and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

15. Serve chilled.