Description
This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert featuring a salty pretzel crust, a creamy sweetened cream cheese center, and a refreshing strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for summer potlucks and gatherings, it combines textures and flavors beautifully for a crowd-pleasing treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust:
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
For the Strawberry Topping:
- 1 (6 oz) box strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, mix the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar until well combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow to cool completely to set the crust.
- Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping until fully incorporated. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal the edges to prevent the strawberry Jell-O from soaking through. Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the topping.
- Prepare the Strawberry Topping: Dissolve the strawberry Jell-O powder in 2 cups of boiling water by stirring until completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature. Once cooled, carefully stir in the sliced fresh strawberries. Pour this strawberry gelatin mixture evenly over the chilled cream cheese layer, ensuring an even spread.
- Chill to Set: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 4 hours or overnight, until the strawberry Jell-O topping is fully set and firm.
- Serve: Once set, slice the dessert into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy, and fruity flavors in each bite.
Notes
- To crush pretzels, pulse them in a food processor or place them in a sealed plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin for an even texture.
- For extra flavor, add a layer of sliced bananas with the strawberries before pouring the Jell-O mixture.
- Frozen strawberries can be used as a substitute if fresh strawberries are not in season; just ensure they are thawed and drained before mixing.
