Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish.
In a bowl, combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar, mixing until evenly coated.
Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the baking dish to form a crust, then bake until set and lightly golden. Allow the crust to cool completely on a wire rack.
In a separate bowl, beat together the whipped topping, softened cream cheese, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal all edges. Refrigerate until the layer is firm and well chilled.
In a large bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved.
Add the thawed strawberries and mix well, then refrigerate the mixture until it begins to thicken slightly but is not fully set.
Carefully spoon the partially set gelatin mixture over the chilled cream layer, spreading it evenly. Return the dish to the refrigerator and chill for several hours until the top layer is fully set.
Once firm, slice into squares and serve chilled with additional whipped topping or crushed pretzels if desired.
