Classic Strawberry Pretzel Salad: Sweet and Salty Crowd Pleaser
Make this classic layered dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel crust, a fluffy cream cheese layer, and a sweet strawberry Jell-O topping. It is an easy, make-ahead potluck favorite.
- Prep Time: 25 min
- Cook Time: 10 min
- Total Time: 4 hr 35 min
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
- 1 (3 ounce) package strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries, thawed and drained
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar in a bowl. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- Prepare the cream cheese layer: Beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until combined. Gently fold in the whipped heavy cream until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Chill the dish in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the topping.
- Prepare the strawberry layer: Dissolve the strawberry gelatin completely in the boiling water. Stir in the thawed and drained strawberries. Let the mixture cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally. Do not let it set.
- Pour the cooled strawberry mixture carefully over the cream cheese layer.
- Refrigerate the entire dessert for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the gelatin is fully set.
- Slice and serve this sweet and salty dessert cold.
Notes
- You can substitute raspberry gelatin and raspberries for a Raspberry Pretzel Salad variation.
- To save time, you can prepare the crust and cream cheese layer the day before assembling.
- For a firmer topping, use slightly less boiling water when dissolving the gelatin.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 350
- Fat: 19
- Saturated Fat: 10
- Unsaturated Fat: 9
- Trans Fat: 0.5
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 4
- Cholesterol: 55
Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/pretzel-salad-strawberry-recipe/