Prep Time: 15-20 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 5 hours and 45 minutes (most of that is fridge chill time)

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups boiling water

• 1 8-serving size package (or 2 4-serving size packages) of Strawberry Banana Jell-O

• 1 1/2 cups cold water

• 1 tub (8 oz) thawed Cool Whip

• 1 cup chopped strawberries

Directions:

1. Boil 1 1/2 cups of water.  (This can be done in the microwave – put on high for 3-5 minutes, varies by microwave)

2. Pour Jell-O mix into a bowl.

3. Stir boiling water into Jell-O mix for at least 2 minutes or until completely dissolved.  (I prefer a whisk)

4. Stir in cold water.

5. Refrigerate for about 1 hour and 15 minutes (or until slightly thickened)

6. Gently stir in 2 cups of whipped topping with a wire whisk until well blended.  (You can use all of the tub or save some for a topping – up to you)

7. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until thickened.  If running a spoon or the whisk through the top does not leave an impression, then refrigerate until it does.

8. Chop strawberries.

9. Stir strawberries into the creamy mixture.  At this time, you can either keep the dessert in the bowl or pour it into a 6-cup Jell-O mold.

10. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until firm.  Unmold (if still in the bowl, leave it, it’s fine).  Top with remaining whipped topping.

Notes and Variations:

I highly recommend using fresh strawberries.  I usually make this dish with fresh strawberries, but have tried it with frozen.  It still tastes fine, but the texture and presentation seems nicer with fresh fruit.

Feel free to experiment with different Jello flavors and fruit combinations too!

To make this even a little more healthy, try lite or “free” whipped topping.