Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

In a medium bowl - Combine the pretzels, the 3 tsp. of sugar, and melted butter

press the pretzel crust into a 9x13 (or smaller) pan

Bake the pretzel crust in the oven for 10 minutes

Let it completely cool

While that cools, use a large mixing bowl to cream the sugar and cream cheese together

Fold in the Cool Whip

Spread that over the cooled pretzel crust

*tip - spread the cream cheese all the way to the sides so the Jell-O does not seep down

Place in the refrigerator to chill

Now, add the strawberry jello to the 2 cups of  water that is hot enough to dissolve the Jell-O crystals, and stir to dissolve

Add the sliced strawberries to the Jell-O

Place the Jell-O and strawberry mixture into the refrigerator to chill - for about 20 minutes - (It should still be liquid, just cold now)

Pull the 9x13 pan out and use a large ladle or spoon to spoon the chilled strawberry jello mixture over the cream cheese spread

Let the dessert chill in the refrigerator for a couple of hours so the jello can set up