Strawberry Pretzel Salad: A Sweet and Salty Dessert Delight

by

Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a refreshing and delicious dessert that perfectly balances sweet, salty, and tangy flavors. The combination of a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy filling, and fresh strawberry topping creates a layered dessert that’s both unique and irresistible. Despite its name, it’s more of a dessert than a salad, making it a perfect treat for holiday meals, potlucks, or family gatherings.

Ingredients

For the Pretzel Crust:

  • 2 cups pretzel twists, crushed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar

For the Creamy Filling:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 (8 oz) container of whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

For the Strawberry Topping:

  • 1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
  • 1 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups boiling water

Instructions

Prepare the Pretzel Crust:

  1. Preheat the Oven:
    Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Make the Pretzel Crust:
    In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until the pretzels are evenly coated with the butter and sugar.
  3. Bake the Crust:
    Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form an even crust. Bake for 8-10 minutes until the crust is golden and slightly firm. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely.

Make the Creamy Filling:

  1. Mix the Cream Cheese Filling:
    In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and continue to mix until fully combined.
  2. Add the Whipped Topping:
    Fold in the whipped topping (Cool Whip) until the filling is light and fluffy. Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.

Prepare the Strawberry Topping:

  1. Dissolve the Gelatin:
    In a medium bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 1 1/2 cups of boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved. Let it cool to room temperature.
  2. Add the Strawberries:
    Once the gelatin has cooled, stir in the sliced strawberries.
  3. Top the Salad:
    Pour the strawberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer. Make sure the strawberries are evenly distributed.

Chill and Serve:

  1. Chill:
    Refrigerate the dessert for at least 3 hours, or until the gelatin has set and the layers have firmed up.
  2. Serve:
    Cut into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy this sweet and tangy treat with its perfect balance of flavors!

Tips for the Best Strawberry Pretzel Salad:

  • Crust Variation: If you prefer, you can use other types of pretzels, such as pretzel sticks or pretzel crisps, for the crust.
  • Topping Options: You can use fresh or frozen strawberries for the topping, but fresh strawberries provide the best texture and flavor.
  • Make-Ahead: This dessert is perfect for making ahead. Just store it in the refrigerator until ready to serve!

Leave a Comment