Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe Perfect for Every Occasion
A delightful dessert combining sweet strawberries, salty pretzels, and creamy whipped topping for a nostalgic treat perfect for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups crushed pretzels (use salted for the best flavor)
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 packages (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin
- 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the crust: Crush the pretzels using a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Combine the crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar in a mixing bowl. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of your 9×13-inch baking dish to form a crust. Bake for 10 minutes and then set it aside to cool completely.
- Make the cream cheese layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping until fully combined. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure it covers the edges completely to prevent the gelatin layer from seeping through.
- Prepare the strawberry layer: Dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved and let it cool slightly—around 10 minutes. Once cooled, stir in the sliced strawberries.
- Assemble the salad: Carefully pour the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate the dish for at least 4 hours or until the gelatin is firmly set.
- Serve: Slice into squares and serve chilled. It’s best enjoyed fresh, but leftovers can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Notes
[‘Ensure the pretzel crust is fully cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to keep the layers distinct.’, ‘Use room temperature cream cheese for smooth blending.’, ‘For a faster cooling process, refrigerate the pretzel crust.’, ‘If using frozen strawberries, thaw and drain them thoroughly to avoid extra liquid in the gelatin layer.’]
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 22
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 12
- Saturated Fat: 7
- Carbohydrates: 32
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 2
Keywords: Strawberry Pretzel Salad, dessert, sweet and salty, nostalgic recipe, summer dessert, holiday dessert