Party Fruit Tower

Star this frozen beauty as salad and dessert as it's rich.

Makes 8 to 10 servings.

1 can (1 pound) apricot halves
1 can (1 pound) cling-peach slices
1 package (3 ounces) strawberry-flavor gelatin
1 cup hot water
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise or salad dressing
1/2 cup cream for whipping
1 1/2 cups tiny marshmallows
1/2 cup sliced maraschino cherries

Procedure:
1. Drain syrups from apricots and peaches into a 2-cup measure. Cut fruits into small pieces and set aside for step 5.
2. Dissolve gelatin in hot water in a 4-cup measure; stir in 1 1/4 cups of the fruit syrup and lemon juice; cool to lukewarm.
3. Beat cream cheese until soft and smooth in a large bowl; blend in mayonnaise or salad dressing, then gelatin mixture. Set bowl in a pan of ice and water to speed setting. Chill at room temperature, stirring often, just until as thick as unbeaten egg white.
4. While gelatin mixture chills,beat cream until stiff in a small bowl.
5. Fold cut apricots and peaches, marshmallows and cherries into thickened gelatin mixture, then gently fold in whipped cream until mixture starts to mound softly. Spoon into an 8-cup mold.Freeze six hours,or until firm. (Overnight is best.)
6. When ready to serve, run a sharp-tip thin-blade knife around top of salad,then dip mold very quickly in and out of a pan,of hot water. Cover mold with a serving plate; turn upside down; carefully lift off mold.Garnish salad and plate with watercress or small crisp lettuce leaves,if you wish.