Strawberry Dream Dessert

-CRUMB BASE

- 2 1/2 c Quaker Oats, uncooked

-- (quick or old-fashioned) 2/3 c Brown sugar, firmly packed

1/2 c Butter or margarine; melted

-STRAWBERRY FILLING

- 1 1/2 pt Fresh strawberries

2 tb Unflavored gelatine

1/2 c COLD water

1 c Granulated sugar

1 tb Lemon juice

3 dr Red food coloring

2 Egg whites

1 c Whipping cream; whipped

For base, combine oats, sugar and butter, mixing until crumbly. Place in a shallow baking pan. Heat in preheated moderate oven (350 F.) about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Set aside 1/2 cup of crumb mixture for topping. Firmly press remaining mixture into an ungreased 13 x 9-inch baking pan. Chill. For filling, crush 1/2 pint of the strawberries. Slice remaining strawberries; set aside. Soften gelatine in cold water. Combine softened gelatine, crushed strawberries, sugar, lemon juice and food coloring in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occasionally until gelatine and sugar are dissolved. Cool to room temperature. Place crushed strawberry mixture and egg whites in large mixing bowl. Beat at high speed on electric mixer until mixture is thick and mounds when dropped from a spoon. Fold in whipped cream and sliced strawberries. Spread evenly over crumb base. Sprinkle with reserved crumb mixture. Chill several hours or until set. Cut in pieces; garnish with strawberry halves. Source: Our Favorites for family and friends Reprinted with permission from The Quaker Oats Company Electronic format courtesy of Karen Mintzias