May Is National Strawberry Month!

Our family LOVES strawberries, and since May is National Strawberry Month, I decided to share some of our family's favorite strawberry recipes!

If you are planning a Memorial Day celebration, these two recipes could be the perfect additions to your menu. Strawberry Pretzel Salad is one of our very favorite desserts, especially during the hot summer months. It's a light dessert that is served cold, and we love the mixture of salty and sweet. My favorite Fruit Salad always pleases our guests, and everyone always want to know "the secret ingredient"...well today, I'm sharing it with you, and I promise your friends and family will love it!

STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD

1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels

4 1/2 tablespoons white sugar

3/4 cup butter, melted

1 cup white sugar

2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, room temperature

1 (8 oz.) container of frozen whipped topping, thawed

1 (6 oz.) box strawberry flavored gelatin

2 cups boiling water

1 (16 oz.) package frozen strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix together the pretzels, 4 1/2 tablespoons sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch glass baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Set aside to cool completely.

Beat the 1 cup sugar and cream cheese until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over cooled crust. Refrigerate until set, about 1 hour.

Stir together the gelatin mix and boiling water. Mix in frozen strawberries, and stir until thawed. Pour (or spoon) gently over cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate until completely chilled, at least 2 hours. 

BEST FRUIT SALAD

1 (20 oz.) can pineapple chunks, juice reserved

2 apples peeled, cored, and diced

2 bananas, peeled and diced

2 kiwi (optional)

1 pint strawberries, sliced

1 (21 oz.) can peach pie filling

Drain Pineapple, reserving juice in a small bowl. Toss diced apples in reserved pineapple juice. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine peach pie filling and pineapple chunks. Slice peaches into smaller pieces if desire. 

Remove apples from pineapple juice and add to pie filling and pineapple mixture. Add chopped bananas to reserved pineapple juice and let sit for 10-15 minutes. 

Add sliced kiwi and strawberries to peach pie filling mixture. Remove bananas from juice and add to mixture as well. Toss together gently. Chill to serve.

Both recipes are super simple and are absolutely delicious. If you try one (or both) of them, let me know what you think! ❤ Kiersten