Description
Nostalgic sweet and salty strawberry pretzel salad combines creamy layers with crunchy pretzel crust for a classic Southern dessert. Refreshing cream cheese filling and glossy strawberry glaze create a perfect summer treat you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups (473 ml) pretzels, crushed
- ¾ cup (170 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsps granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz/226 g) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz/226 g) container whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (6 oz/170 g) package strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups (473 ml) boiling water
- 2 cups (300 g) fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Crust Preparation: Blend crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar, pressing the mixture firmly into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake at 350F (175C) for 10 minutes, then allow to cool completely.
- Cream Layer Creation: Whip cream cheese and sugar until silky smooth, gently folding in whipped topping. Spread evenly across the cooled crust, ensuring complete coverage to prevent Jell-O seepage. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
- Jell-O Infusion: Dissolve strawberry Jell-O in boiling water, stirring until fully integrated. Cool to room temperature, then fold in fresh strawberries. Carefully pour the fruity mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Final Chilling: Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, allowing the Jell-O to set completely and flavors to meld. Slice and serve chilled for a refreshing, layered treat that balances sweet, creamy, and tangy elements.
Notes
- Bake the pretzel base thoroughly and let it cool completely to create a crisp foundation that won’t become mushy when layered with cream cheese and Jell-O.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature and beat until completely smooth to avoid lumps, creating a silky, even layer across the entire surface.
- Allow Jell-O to cool to room temperature before adding strawberries and pouring over the cream cheese layer, preventing the layer from breaking or mixing unintentionally.
- This dessert actually tastes better when prepared a day in advance, allowing flavors to meld and layers to set perfectly, making it an ideal make-ahead party dessert.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 13
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg