Crust:
cooking spray
2 cups finely crushed pretzels
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 tsp grated Key lime zest or lime zest
3 Tbs granulated sugar
Filling:
1 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
4 tsp Key lime juice
1 cup granulated sugar
1 (8-oz) container frozen whipped topping
Topping:
3 (3 oz) pkgs lime-flavored jello
2 1/4 cups water
1 cup ice-cold water
thin Key lime wheels, for garnish
Step 1: Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Generously coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Step 2: To make the crust: Stir pretzels, butter, lime zest, and 3 tablespoons sugar together in a bowl until well combined. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven until set, 8 to 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 15 minutes.
Step 3: To make the filling: Beat cream cheese, Key lime juice, and 1 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until smooth. Fold in whipped topping until combined. Spread evenly over the cooled crust. Chill, uncovered, for 20 minutes.
Step 4: To make the topping: Bring 2 1/4 cups water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk in jello until dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat, whisk in ice-cold water, and transfer to a medium heat-proof bowl. Chill, uncovered, until slightly thickened, about 20 minutes.
Step 5: Carefully pour chilled jello mixture over the chilled cream cheese layer. Refrigerate, uncovered, until set, at least 2 hours or overnight. Garnish with thin Key lime wheels before serving.
