Description
Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert featuring a crunchy, salty pretzel crust topped with a creamy sweetened cream cheese layer and a luscious strawberry gelatin topping studded with juicy strawberries. Perfect for parties and gatherings, this no-bake dessert combines tangy, sweet, and salty flavors in each bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 3/4 cup melted butter
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
Strawberry Topping
- 6 oz strawberry-flavored gelatin (Jell-O)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 16 oz frozen sliced strawberries (or fresh, hulled and sliced)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the pretzel crust.
- Make Pretzel Crust: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Stir until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Form Crust: Press the pretzel mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to create a solid crust base.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 10 minutes until set, then remove and allow it to cool completely to prevent melting the cream cheese layer.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, beat together softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth and fluffy, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until well combined and creamy.
- Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust, carefully sealing the edges to keep the strawberry gelatin from seeping through the crust.
- Chill Cream Cheese Layer: Place the dish in the refrigerator while preparing the strawberry topping to allow the cream layer to firm slightly.
- Prepare Strawberry Gelatin: Dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder into 2 cups of boiling water, stirring well to ensure it is completely dissolved.
- Add Strawberries: Stir in the frozen or fresh sliced strawberries into the slightly cooled gelatin mixture.
- Top the Cream Cheese Layer: Pour the gelatin and strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading gently to cover evenly.
- Refrigerate to Set: Refrigerate the entire dessert for at least 4 hours, or until completely set and firm.
- Serve: Once set, slice into 12 servings and serve chilled for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- The crust must be fully cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting and sogginess.
- Sealing the edges of the cream cheese layer helps avoid leakage of the gelatin through the crust.
- Using thawed whipped topping ensures smooth blending with cream cheese.
- Fresh strawberries can be used instead of frozen; just make sure to hull and slice them.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead and kept refrigerated to deepen the flavors and ease serving.
