Strawberry Pretzel Salad – The Perfect Summertime Dessert Recipe

Strawberry Pretzel Salad isn’t a salad at all. Instead, it is a favorite dessert recipe that is a must have for any summertime gathering.

With one bite you will totally understand why. The bottom crunchy layer is made out of crushed pretzels. Then it is topped with a sweet layer of cream cheese and whipped topping.

And of course, the iconic top layer is made from a mixture of strawberry Jell-O and sliced fresh strawberries. Who can resist that combination?

Once you try it you will instantly fall in love with the taste. The sweet, salty and creamy combination is the perfect trio of flavors.

Best of all, this recipe is easy to make. However, because the Jell-O needs time to set, it does require some wait time.

However, if you plan ahead this will become your new favorite recipe to make for your backyard barbecue or for those summer holiday gatherings.

What You Need To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Crust Ingredients:

• Pretzels – You can use either small pretzel sticks, mini twists or the square snaps for the base of the crust.

• Sugar – To balance out the saltiness of the pretzels add a little granulated white sugar.

• Butter – Melted butter holds the crust together.

Middle Cream Layer Ingredients:

• Cream cheese – A bar of room temperature cream cheese is one of the main ingredients in the cream layer. Just be sure that it is soft so that you don’t get any lumps in the filling.

• Sugar – Use granulated white sugar to balance out the tanginess of the cream cheese.

• Whipped topping – One small tub of whipped topping lightens up the filling. Be sure to thaw it completely so it can mix evenly with the other ingredients.

Strawberry Layer:

• Strawberry gelatin – You will need the bigger, family size package of Jell-O to make the top layer of the Strawberry Pretzel Salad. You can use any brand, it doesn’t have to be Jell-O brand.

• Boiling water – Used to dissolve the gelatin.

• Cold water – Once the gelatin dissolves, cold water is added to make the gelatin layer.

• Fresh strawberries – You will need a pound of strawberries for the topping. Make easy work of slicing them by using an egg/strawberry slicer. (Affiliate Link: Strawberry Slicer)

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups pretzels, crushed
• 3 Tablespoons sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 large box instant strawberry Jello, 6 ounces
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 1/2 cups cold water
• 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1-8 ounce package cream cheese, room temperature
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 container of thawed cool whip, 8 ounces

Instructions

Although preparing the strawberry pretzel salad requires a lot of ‘wait’ time, this recipe is super easy to make. You will need at least 5 hours before you can serve this delicious dessert. Therefore, you may want to make it a day or two ahead of time.

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then lightly grease a 9 x 13 baking dish and set aside.

Pretzel Crust:

Next, place your pretzels in a zip-lock bag and using a rolling-pin to crush them. You can also use a large capacity food processor and pulse them into they turn into coarse crumbles.

Once the pretzels are crushed place them in a medium size mixing bowl. Then add the sugar and melted butter and mix until the pretzels are evenly coated.

In the prepared baking dish, push the pretzel crust tightly into the bottom of the pan. The key here is to press the crumbs tightly in an even layer. Then place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 9 minutes. Once the time is up, remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.

Strawberry Gelatin:

Although this is the top layer of the Strawberry Pretzel Salad it is best to make this as the crust is baking because it takes the longest to prepare.

Start by hulling the strawberries and then slice them into thin pieces. You can do this by hand, but using the same egg slicer that you use to make Seven Layer Salad allows you to do this step in a fraction of the time. Set the strawberries aside while you prepare the gelatin.

In a large bowl place the box of Jell-O powder in and add the boiling water. Stir until the gelatin is completely dissolved, approximately 2 minutes.

Once the Jell-O powder is dissolved, stir in the cold water. Mix the fresh, sliced strawberries into the gelatin liquid.

Once the strawberries are submerged in the Jello-O mixture place the bowl in the refrigerator for 1 ½ hours to let it partially set.

Cream Cheese Filling

While the Jell-O mixture is chilling, make the cream cheese filling for your strawberry pretzel salad. However, before you begin mixing the ingredients, be sure that your cream cheese is at room temperature. This will prevent any clumps from forming and it will be easier to mix with the sugar.

Use the paddle attachment of a stand mixer, or a hand mixer to beat the cream cheese and sugar together until creamy. This will take 4-5 minutes to become light and fluffy.

Then fold the cool whip into the cream cheese mixture. Once the mixture is evenly incorporated spread the mixture over the top of the pretzel crust.

Be sure that the cream cheese mixture is spread completely to the edges so that it prevents the Jell-O from seeping down to the pretzel crust.

When the Jell-O and strawberry mixture has set up to an egg-white consistency it is time to top your strawberry pretzel salad.

This consistency will allow you to be able to spread the mixture on top of the cream cheese before it completely sets.

Carefully pour the Jell-O mixture over the cream cheese and sugar layer and refrigerate until it completely sets. This will take approximately 3 hours.

When you are ready to serve, remove it from the refrigerator and cut into squares and serve. Keep leftovers in refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Enjoy! Mary

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