Introduction

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful dessert that combines a salty, crunchy pretzel crust with a creamy cream cheese layer and a fresh strawberry-topped gelatin layer. It’s a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with an inviting texture that’s sure to impress your family and friends.

A square dessert slice on a white plate is shown with three layers: a bottom layer of crushed nuts, a thick middle layer of smooth white cream, and a top layer of bright red strawberry jelly with sliced strawberries inside. A dollop of white whipped cream on top is decorated with a small brown pretzel and a green mint leaf. Next to the dessert on the plate is a halved fresh strawberry, and a silver fork lies beside the slice. In the background, there are bowls with whipped cream and pretzels, whole and sliced strawberries, and a larger dish with the same layered dessert. The scene is on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

6 oz strawberry Jell-O mix
2 cups boiling water
16 oz strawberries (fresh or frozen, hulled & sliced)
2 1/2 cups salted pretzels (measured before crushing)
3/4 cup butter (unsalted)
3 tbsp granulated sugar
8 oz cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
8 oz Cool Whip (thawed in refrigerator)

Instructions

Step 1: In a small bowl, add the package of strawberry Jell-O mix. Pour in 2 cups of boiling water and whisk until completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Step 2: Preheat the oven to 350° F. Place pretzels in a zip-top bag and crush them into small crumbles using a mallet or rolling pin.
Step 3: In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar until completely dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in the crushed pretzels until well combined.
Step 4: Press the pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool to room temperature.
Step 5: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup granulated sugar with a hand or stand mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes, scraping down the sides as needed.
Step 6: Gently fold the thawed Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture until no white streaks remain.
Step 7: Spread the cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal the edges well to prevent Jell-O from seeping through.
Step 8: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 9: Evenly arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese layer.
Step 10: Pour the cooled Jell-O mixture gently over the strawberries. If your dish can’t hold all the Jell-O, you may omit some to prevent overflow; this won’t affect the final dessert.
Step 11: Cover the dish and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours, or until the Jell-O is fully set.
Step 12: Slice into squares and serve cold. Keep any leftovers covered in the refrigerator.

Tips & Variations

Use salted pretzels for the crust to balance the sweetness, but if you prefer less salt, reduce the amount slightly or rinse briefly before crushing.
Fresh strawberries offer the best flavor, but frozen work well if properly thawed and drained.
For a lighter cream layer, substitute half of the Cool Whip with whipped cream.
Make the dessert a day ahead to allow flavors to meld and layers to set perfectly.

Storage

Store leftover Strawberry Pretzel Salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The crust may soften slightly over time but will remain delicious. Serve chilled; no reheating is necessary.

How to Serve

A clear glass rectangular dish holds a three-layer dessert placed on a white marbled texture. The bottom layer is a crumbly, light brown crust with visible nuts or crumbs. The middle layer is creamy and white, smooth in texture. The top layer is bright red gelatin with fresh sliced strawberries suspended inside, giving it a shiny, glossy look. A woman's hand is holding a silver spatula lifting a single square piece from the dish, showing all three layers clearly. In the background, there is a white bowl filled with pretzels. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use a different flavor of Jell-O?

Yes, you can experiment with other fruit flavors like raspberry or cherry, but strawberry pairs best with the fresh berries and pretzel crust.

How do I prevent the pretzel crust from getting soggy?

Be sure to bake the pretzel crust well and let it cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer. Sealing the edges of the cream cheese layer also helps prevent the Jell-O from seeping through and softening the crust.