This Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe is a basic candy and salty dessert with a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy cheesecake layer, and recent sliced strawberries in strawberry Jell-O. Though it’s referred to as a salad, this old style recipe is definitely a scrumptious layered dessert that’s straightforward to make forward.

With salty pretzels, easy cream cheese filling, and candy strawberry topping, that is a straightforward dessert for potlucks, holidays, summer season events, or any time you want a easy make-ahead deal with.

What Is Strawberry Pretzel Salad?

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is an old style layered dessert made with a salty pretzel crust, a creamy cream cheese filling, and a strawberry Jell-O topping with sliced strawberries. Although it’s referred to as a salad, it’s served as a dessert and is very well-liked for potlucks, holidays, and household gatherings.

The candy strawberry topping, easy cream cheese layer, and crunchy pretzel crust give it that basic sweet-and-salty taste everybody loves.

If you happen to love refreshing summer season strawberry desserts with a Jell-O layer, this recipe has the same old style really feel to my No Bake Strawberry Jello Lasagna, Strawberry Jello Cake, and Strawberry Jello Lasagna. The distinction is that this Strawberry Pretzel Salad has a salty pretzel crust, which provides it that basic sweet-and-salty taste. For a purple, white, and blue model with the same layered look, attempt my Summer season Berry Jello Lasagna.

Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

• Candy and salty: The salty pretzel crust balances the candy strawberry Jell-O topping and creamy filling.
• Crunchy, creamy, and fruity: Every chunk has slightly crunch from the pretzels, a easy cream cheese layer, and juicy strawberries.
• Refreshing however satisfying: The chilled strawberry topping makes this dessert really feel gentle and refreshing, whereas the pretzel crust and cream cheese layer make it wealthy sufficient for an important day.
• Nice make-ahead dessert: It wants time to relax and set, so it’s good to organize a number of hours forward or the day earlier than.
• Good for gatherings: This 9×13 dessert is simple to slice and serve for potlucks, holidays, summer season events, and household dinners.

Substances You’ll Want

• Pretzels: Use salted pretzels for the crust. Crush them finely sufficient to assist the crust maintain collectively, however depart just a few tiny items for further crunch.
• Butter: Melted butter helps bind the pretzel crust and offers it a wealthy, buttery taste.
• Brown sugar: Mild brown sugar provides slightly caramel-like taste to the salty pretzel crust. Granulated sugar may also be used.
• Cream cheese: Use softened cream cheese so the filling mixes easily with out lumps.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer and retains the feel easy.
• Vanilla: Provides taste to the creamy filling.
• Whipped topping: Thawed frozen whipped topping retains the cream cheese layer gentle and steady. Selfmade whipped cream may also be used.
• Strawberry Jello: This creates the basic strawberry topping and helps the dessert set into clear slices.
• Recent strawberries: Thinly sliced recent strawberries work greatest as a result of they unfold evenly via the Jell-O layer and make the dessert simpler to chop.

How one can Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

1. Put together the strawberry Jell-O:
   • In a big bowl, whisk the strawberry Jell-O with boiling water till fully dissolved. Set it apart to chill to room temperature whilst you make the crust and filling. It ought to be cooled, however nonetheless liquid.
2. Make the pretzel crust:
   • Crush the pretzels in a meals processor, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Combine the crushed pretzels with melted butter and brown sugar, then press the combination firmly into the underside of a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
   • Bake and funky the crust. Bake the pretzel crust at 350°F for 10 minutes, then let it cool fully earlier than including the cream cheese layer.
3. Make the cream cheese filling:
   • Beat the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla till easy. Fold within the thawed whipped topping till totally mixed.
   • Unfold the cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Be certain that to unfold all of it the best way to the sides of the dish so it creates a seal between the crust and the strawberry topping.
4. Add strawberry topping:
   • Stir the thinly sliced strawberries into the cooled Jell-O, then gently pour the combination over the cream cheese layer.
5. Chill till set:
   • Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, or till the strawberry layer is totally set. Slice into squares and serve chilled.

Ideas for the Greatest Strawberry Pretzel Salad

• Crush the pretzels finely, however not into powder: Crush the pretzels in a meals processor, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Smaller crumbs assist the crust maintain collectively, whereas just a few tiny items hold it crunchy.
• Let the crust cool fully: If the pretzel crust continues to be heat, it will probably soften or soften the cream cheese layer.
• Use full-fat, room-temperature cream cheese: It offers the filling the perfect taste and texture. Be certain that it’s softened to room temperature earlier than mixing so the cream cheese layer seems easy and creamy, with out lumps.
• Seal the cream cheese layer to the sides: Unfold the filling all the best way to the perimeters of the dish. This helps hold the strawberry Jell-O from leaking down into the crust and making it soggy.
• Cool the Jell-O, however don’t let it set: The strawberry Jell-O ought to be room temperature earlier than pouring, however nonetheless liquid. If it’s too heat, it will probably soften the cream cheese layer; if it begins to set, it gained’t unfold evenly.
• Slice the strawberries thinly: Skinny slices distribute higher via the Jell-O layer and make the dessert simpler to chop into clear squares.
• Chill till totally set: Give the dessert a minimum of 4 hours within the fridge earlier than slicing. In a single day is even higher for cleaner slices.

Cool Whip or Selfmade Whipped Cream?

You need to use both frozen whipped topping or selfmade whipped cream for this Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Cool Whip is the basic selection as a result of it’s steady, straightforward to fold into the cream cheese layer, and helps the filling maintain its form.

If you happen to want selfmade whipped cream, beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream till delicate peaks type. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 cup powdered sugar, then proceed beating till very stiff peaks type. The whipped cream must be agency so the cream cheese layer stays thick and steady underneath the strawberry Jell-O topping.

Selfmade whipped cream offers the filling a brisker taste, whereas Cool Whip offers it that basic old style dessert style and texture.

Make Forward and Storage

This recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Salad is nice for a make-ahead dessert as a result of it wants time to relax and set fully. You can also make it a number of hours prematurely, or put together it the day earlier than serving for the cleanest slices.

Retailer leftovers coated within the fridge for as much as 5 days. The pretzel crust will likely be crunchiest on the primary day, however the dessert will nonetheless style scrumptious after chilling.

I don’t suggest freezing Strawberry Pretzel Salad. The Jell-O and cream cheese layers can separate and develop into watery after thawing, and the pretzel crust could lose its texture.

Steadily Requested Questions

Variations

This basic Strawberry Pretzel Salad is made with strawberry Jell-O and recent strawberries, however you’ll be able to simply change the flavour whereas holding the identical candy, salty, creamy, and crunchy layers.

• Use pretzel twists or sticks: both pretzel twists or pretzel sticks will work for the crust. Crush them finely sufficient so the crust holds collectively, however depart just a few tiny items for further crunch.
• Strive a raspberry model: use raspberry Jell-O and recent raspberries as a substitute of strawberry Jell-O and strawberries. Raspberry has a barely tart taste that works rather well with the salty pretzel crust and creamy filling.
• Add lemon zest to the filling: for a brighter taste, add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the cream cheese filling. It provides a recent observe with out overpowering the strawberry topping.
• Make particular person servings: you’ll be able to layer the pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and strawberry topping in small jars or dessert cups as a substitute of a 9×13-inch dish. It is a nice choice for events, potlucks, or straightforward serving.
• Make it with blended fruit: for a enjoyable purple, white, and blue model with the same pretzel crust, attempt my No Bake Summer season Berry Pretzel Salad. It has the identical sweet-and-salty thought, however makes use of a colourful fruit topping that’s good for summer season, Memorial Day, or the 4th of July.
• Use selfmade whipped cream: in case you don’t wish to use frozen whipped topping, selfmade whipped cream works too. Simply be sure it’s overwhelmed to very stiff peaks so the cream cheese layer stays thick and steady underneath the strawberry Jell-O topping.

Extra Strawberry Desserts

If you happen to love straightforward strawberry desserts, listed below are just a few extra recipes to attempt subsequent:

1. Straightforward Strawberry Crisp: A easy baked strawberry dessert with a buttery oat topping, good once you need one thing heat and fruity.
2. Straightforward Strawberry Cake: A delicate selfmade strawberry cake made with recent strawberries and easy substances.
3. Mini Strawberry Cheesecakes: Creamy particular person cheesecakes topped with strawberries, good for events and make-ahead desserts.
4. Strawberry Cheesecake Chimichangas: Crispy, creamy, and fruity, these are a enjoyable strawberry dessert for events or particular treats.

Print

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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Description

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a basic candy and salty dessert with a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy cheesecake layer, and recent strawberries in strawberry Jell-O. It’s straightforward to make forward and excellent for potlucks, holidays, and summer season events.

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Substances

Pretzel Crust:

• 3/4 cup butter-melted
• 1/4 cup gentle brown sugar (or granulated sugar)
• 8 oz. crushed pretzels (about 8 ounces)

Cream Cheese Layer:

• 8 oz cream cheese-softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 oz. container frozen whipped topping – thawed (or 3 cups selfmade whipped cream-see notes)

Strawberry Layer:

• 6 oz. strawberry jello
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 lb recent strawberries-thinly sliced

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Directions

Put together the Jello:

1. In a big bowl, whisk strawberry Jello with 2 cups boiling water till fully dissolved. Put aside to chill to room temperature.
2. Preheat oven to 350°F. Calmly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.

Make the pretzel crust:

1. Crush the pretzels in a meals processor, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. In a medium bowl, stir collectively crushed pretzels, melted butter, and brown sugar till evenly mixed.
2. Press the pretzel combination firmly into the underside of the ready baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then put aside to chill fully.

Make the cream cheese layer:

1. In a big bowl, beat softened cream cheese, vanilla, and powdered sugar till easy and creamy. Fold in thawed whipped topping till totally mixed.
2. Unfold the cream cheese combination evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring to unfold all of it the best way to the sides of the dish to seal the crust. Chill whereas the Jello cools.

Strawberry Jello Topping:

1. Stir sliced strawberries into the cooled Jello.
2. Gently pour the strawberry Jello combination over the cream cheese layer.
3. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, or till fully set.
4. Retailer coated within the fridge for as much as 5 days

Notes

Selfmade whipped cream choice:

• To switch the frozen whipped topping, beat 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream till delicate peaks type. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/2 cup powdered sugar, then proceed beating till very stiff peaks type. Use rather than the 8 oz. whipped topping.

Pretzels:

• For the perfect crust, crush the pretzels finely in a meals processor or blender, or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. A finer crumb helps the crust maintain collectively, however just a few small items add a pleasant crunch.

Jello layer:

• Let the Jello cool to room temperature earlier than pouring it over the cream cheese layer. It ought to nonetheless be liquid, not set. Whether it is too sizzling, it will probably soften the cream cheese layer.

Strawberries:

• Slice the strawberries thinly so that they distribute evenly, and the dessert cuts extra cleanly.

Vitamin

• Serving Dimension: 1 slice
• Energy: 296
• Fats: 16
• Carbohydrates: 36
• Protein: 4