Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Classic Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the ultimate sweet and salty dessert! With crunchy pretzels as the foundation, cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberries in Jell-O. A nostalgic summer dessert that's fruity and refreshing!
Why Is It Called A "Salad" When It Isn't?
Strawberry Pretzel Salad is part of a quirky, retro American food tradition where dishes that mix sweet or savory ingredients (especially when made with gelatin, whipped topping, or a variety of textures) are often labeled as "salads," even if they don't contain any leafy greens. If you've attended a church potluck, you have probably seen this at the dessert table.
This layered treat made with a crunchy, lightly sweetened pretzel crust, cream cheese whipped filling, and a fruity strawberry Jell-O topping, is the perfect combination of sweet, salty, and tangy. A staple at summer potlucks, barbecues, and holiday dinners for generations.
This nostalgic dessert has stood the test of time for a reason. It's easy to make, beautiful to serve, and just plain fun to eat!
Ingredients For Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Strawberries- Use fresh or frozen.
- Pretzels- We use mini salted pretzels.
- Cream cheese- Make sure it is super soft.
- Whipped cream- Cool whip from the tub is the best choice.
- Jell-O- Strawberry flavor.
- Butter and sugar
- Hot water
Easy To Make Step By Step
- Dissolve the strawberry Jell-O- Add boiling water to the Jell-O in a large bowl. Stir until dissolved. Allow to cool completely.
- Make the pretzel crust- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Mix crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar. Press the mixture into a 9x13-inch baking dish to form a crust. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool completely.
- Prepare cream cheese layer- Combine cream cheese with sugar until smooth, then fold in whipped cream. Spread evenly over the cooled pretzel crust and place in the refrigerator for 30-minutes to set.
- Add the Jell-O layer- Combine strawberries with the cooled Jell-O and pour carefully over the cooled cream cheese layer. Place back in the fridge for 2-3 hours or until Jell-O is completely set. Slice and enjoy.
Helpful Tips When Making Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Crust matters: Make sure the pretzel crust is fully cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to avoid melting.
Seal the edges: Spreading the cream cheese layer all the way to the edges prevents the Jell-O from leaking and making the crust soggy.
Chill completely: Give it enough time in the fridge or overnight so each slice comes out nice and clean.
Variations
- Use raspberries or peaches instead of strawberries.
- Swap the Jell-O flavor: Use raspberry or cherry Jell-O.
- Add a dollop of whipped cream for garnish.
If You Think Strawberry Pretzel Salad Was Great, Try These Next
- Strawberry Pizza
- Strawberry Cheese Cake Dip
- Chocolate Heavenly Dessert
- Oreo Icebox Cake
- Chocolate Layered Lasagna.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Equipment
- Food processor or a mallet
- medium mixing bowl
- 9×13-inch baking dish
- small sauce pan
- hand mixer
Ingredients
Strawberry Jell-O layer
- 6 ounces strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 pound fresh or frozen strawberries, sliced
Pretzel crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels use a food processor or meat mallet
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 stick butter, 8 tablespoons
Cream cheese filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, super soft
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounces cool whip topping, thawed
Instructions
Heat oven to 350℉ and spray a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- Add 6 oz strawberry Jell-O to a medium bowl and stir in 2 cups boiling water. Stir until dissolved and set aside to cool completely.
- Heat a saucepan to low heat and melt 8 tbsp butter with ¼ cup sugar. Add crushed pretzels and stir to combine.
- Spread pretzel mixture evenly in your prepared baking dish, using the back of a spoon to press down. Bake for 10-minutes in preheated oven and allow to cool completely.
- While pretzel crust is cooling, use a hand mixer to whip 8 oz cream cheese with ½ cup sugar. Use a large spoon to fold in 8 ounces cool whip topping.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal all the edges and sides so the Jell-O doesn't seep down. Refrigerate for 30-mintues.
- Add 1 lb sliced strawberries to cooled Jell-o and pour over chilled cream cheese layer. Place back in the refrigerator, covered, for at least 3 hours or overnight. Slice and serve.
Notes
Nutrition
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