Strawberry Jell-O

Jell-O seems to be a mid-western thing, as not many people out in California seem to like it. But since I'm a mid-westerner . . .  I like it. Eleaner Leuenhagen made this Jell-O for the rehersal dinner, when I married her son.

2 (3 oz) pkgs strawberry Jell-O
1/4 cup sugar
2 cups boiling water
1 1/2 cups cold water
1 pint strawberries, halved
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese
1 tsp vanilla

Dissolve Jell-O and sugar in boiling water. Add cold water. Chill 2 1/2 cups of this until it is as thick as unbeaten egg whites.

Fold in strawberries. Pour into lightly oiled mold, or pour directly into an unoiled oblong glass baking dish. Chill until set, but not firm.

Beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add reserved Jell-O and vanilla, beating until well blended. Gently spoon this over the chilled gelatin. Chill until firm, at least 3 hours.

Unmold (see instructions for unmolding a Jell-O salad in the misc. section), or slice into squares, if using the oblong pan (which is what I always do).