Description
This strawberry pretzel salad is the ultimate layered dessert – salty, sweet, creamy, and refreshing all at once. A buttery pretzel crust sets the stage for a rich cream cheese filling and a vibrant strawberry Jell-O topping loaded with fresh berries. It’s a nostalgic treat that still wins hearts at every potluck, holiday, or summer BBQ.
Ingredients
Crust:
3 cups crushed pretzels
¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
3 Tbsp sugar
Cream Layer:
16 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract (twist for depth)
2 cups whipped topping or whipped cream
Strawberry Topping:
2 (6 oz) packages strawberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Optional twist: ½ cup crushed pineapple (drained) or sliced kiwi for extra fruitiness
Instructions
Make the Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Press into a 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes and cool completely.
Cream Cheese Layer: Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread evenly over cooled crust, making sure to seal the edges to prevent Jell-O leakage. Chill for 30 minutes.
Prepare the Jell-O: Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Let cool to room temperature (not set), then stir in strawberries (and pineapple or kiwi if using).
Assemble: Gently pour strawberry mixture over cream layer. Refrigerate until fully set, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Serve: Slice into squares and serve chilled. Optional: Top with extra whipped cream or mint.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Chill Time: 4+ hrs
Nutrition
- Calories: 320 / serving
- Fat: 18g / serving
- Carbohydrates: 36g / serving
- Protein: 3g / serving