Crushed Fruit Dish

WHAT YOU WILL NEED

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 1/2 cup butter, melted

* 1 cup crushed pretzels

* 1/2 cup sugar

* 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature

* 1 (8 ounce) tub frozen whipped topping, thawed

* 2 tablespoons cornstarch

* 1/4 cup sugar

* 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained with juice reserved

* Jar of maraschino cherries

WHAT YOU WILL DO:

* In a medium bowl, mix together crushed pretzels, 1/2 cup sugar and melted butter until blended. Press into the bottom of a 9x9 inch baking dish.

* In another bowl, beat 1/2 cup sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over the pretzel layer in dish.

* In a small saucepan, stir together cornstarch and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix in reserved pineapple juice, and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in crushed pineapple. Spread over the whipped layer in the dish. Top with cherries. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 1/2 hours, or until firm.

“This is my grandmother’s recipe (as far as I know), and her name was Faye Steerman.”

Kari Mackowski