Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Why Make This Recipe

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a fun and tasty dessert that combines sweet and salty flavors. This dish is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any special occasion. The crunchy pretzel crust, creamy filling, and fruity topping make it a hit with people of all ages.

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Ingredients

  • 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 12 Tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups crushed salted pretzels
  • 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Directions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Combine the strawberry Jell-O with boiling water and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  2. Crush the pretzels in a Ziploc bag using a rolling pin.
  3. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add granulated sugar, and mix in the crushed pretzels. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 13×9 glass casserole dish and bake for 10 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature.
  4. Beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy. Fold in the Cool Whip and spread it over the cooled pretzel layer. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  5. Stir the hulled and sliced strawberries into the cooled Jell-O and pour over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until the Jell-O is set, which takes about 2 to 4 hours.

How to Serve Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Serve Strawberry Pretzel Salad chilled. Cut it into squares and enjoy the layers of pretzel crust, creamy filling, and fruity topping. It’s a delightful dessert that looks great on any table.

How to Store Strawberry Pretzel Salad

You can store Strawberry Pretzel Salad in the refrigerator. Cover it with plastic wrap or a lid to keep it fresh. It will stay good for 3 to 4 days.

Tips to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

  • Make sure the pretzel crust is completely cool before adding the cream cheese layer. This helps keep the layers from mixing together.
  • Use fresh strawberries for the best flavor. Frozen strawberries will work, but they can make the Jell-O watery.
  • You can use other flavors of Jell-O and fruits to create different versions of this dessert.

Variation

Try using different flavors of Jell-O, such as raspberry or blueberry, and pair them with matching fruits. This can add variety to your Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

FAQs

1. Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make Strawberry Pretzel Salad a day in advance. Just keep it covered in the refrigerator.

2. Is there a gluten-free option for the pretzel crust?
Yes, you can find gluten-free pretzels in stores. They work well as a substitute in this recipe.

3. How long does the Jell-O need to set?
The Jell-O usually takes about 2 to 4 hours to set properly in the refrigerator.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a fun and tasty dessert that combines sweet and salty flavors. Perfect for any special occasion with its crunchy pretzel crust, creamy filling, and fruity topping.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250

Ingredients
  

For the crust
  • 2 cups crushed salted pretzels
  • 12 Tbsp unsalted butter Melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
For the filling
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
For the topping
  • 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  2. Combine the strawberry Jell-O with boiling water and stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
  3. Crush the pretzels in a Ziploc bag using a rolling pin.
  4. Melt the butter in a saucepan, add granulated sugar, and mix in the crushed pretzels.
  5. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 13×9 glass casserole dish and bake for 10 minutes. Let it cool to room temperature.
Assembly
  1. Beat the cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy.
  2. Fold in the Cool Whip and spread it over the cooled pretzel layer.
  3. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  4. Stir the hulled and sliced strawberries into the cooled Jell-O and pour over the cream cheese layer.
  5. Refrigerate until the Jell-O is set, which takes about 2 to 4 hours.

Notes

Make sure the pretzel crust is completely cool before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent mixing. Use fresh strawberries for best flavor; frozen strawberries can make the Jell-O watery. You can experiment with other Jell-O flavors and fruits.