Old Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a retro treat with a salty pretzel crust with a tangy cream cheese filling topped with a luscious strawberry Jell-O layer. A great way to enjoy the fresh berries flavor that we all know and love.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- The perfect balance between sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy with a bit of tartness. This dessert checks all the marks.
- A wonderful make-ahead dish, the perfect dessert for family gathering, potluck dinners and holidays.
- An easy no bake dessert that is always a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients you'll need
Note: This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- For the buttery pretzel crust: We will need Pretzels, butter, and sugar.
- For the cream cheese mixture: Softened cream cheese, sugar, and cool whip.
- Fresh strawberries along with strawberry gelatin (Jell-O) for the upper layer.
Adaptable recipe – creative variations
- Swap out the strawberry jello for raspberry or mixed berry jello for a different fruity flavor.
- Mix in some lemon curd in the cream cheese layer to make a lemon-flavored cream cheese mixture for a zesty kick. Use this easy Microwave Lemon Curd.
- For a nutty crunch, add some chopped nuts to the pretzel layer.
- For a decadent twist, use chocolate covered or yogurt covered pretzels.
- Make it a little fancier for the holidays. Whip together heavy cream and mascarpone cheese instead of cool whip and cream cheese.
🥣 Before you begin: essential tools
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- A 13x9 baking dish
- Large mixing bowl
- Electric mixer
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Step by step: instructions
Note: This is an overview of the instructions. The detailed instructions are in the recipe card below.
- Add your pretzels and crush using a rolling pin or meat hammer in a zip lock bag. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter, add sugar and stir well, turn off the heat and add the pretzels.
- In a 13X9 baking dish, spread the crushed pretzels in an even layer and press down lightly to distribute evenly. Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes. Take it out and cool completely. Freeze for 15-30 minutes.
- Cream sugar and cream cheese until fluffy. Then fold in the cool whip with a spatula.
- Spread the whipped topping on the pretzel. Make sure to spread to the edges of the pan. Freeze for 30 minutes
- Dissolve jello completely in 2 cups of joining water, set aside to come to room temperature then fold in cut strawberries. Spread the jello evenly on the cream layer and refrigerate for another 2-4 hours until set or overnight.
Your questions answered: FAQs
If you prefer, you can use homemade Chantilly Cream( whipped cream) instead of Cool Whip. Just be sure to stabilize it to prevent it from becoming watery.
Although I love fresh strawberries more, you can still use frozen strawberries. If this is the case, make sure to dissolve the jello in 1 ½ cups of boiling water, not 2.
My notes
- Freeze the pretzel layer until completely cooled and hardened.
- Also I like to freeze and not refrigerate the cream layer this helps the jello layer set quickly so it won't leak into the bottom layers.
- I found it easier to distribute the mixture on the edges and then carefully with the back of the spatula, spreading the mixture from the edges and working your way to the middle.
How to store leftovers
Refrigerate - Place leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap in the pan or an airtight container and refrigerate for 2-3 days.
Freeze- Although better served fresh, you can still freeze this dessert for up to one month. I suggest not thawing it before serving and just serve it as a frozen dessert as the pretzel crust might get tender and not stay crunchy.
More recipes you’ll love
I love strawberries, and my family always welcomes any berry recipe. This Jello Mold is a family and friends' favorite dessert. If you love mini desserts for portion control, try these No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake Cups or this Mini Raspberry Cheesecake recipe.
Next time try this Chocolate Cupcakes with Strawberry Frosting, a treat that is sure to brighten your day.
Old Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Ingredients
- 3 cups salted pretzels
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup sugar
For the cream layer:
- 8 oz package cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz tub of cool whip thawed in the fridge
For the jello:
- 6 oz Package of strawberry jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 lb fresh strawberries
Instructions
- In a medium bowl fully dissolve strawberry Jello in the boiling water and set aside.
- Spray a 13x9 glass baking dish with cooking spray or brush well with melted butter and set aside.
Make the pretzel layer:
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- In a zip lock bag, add your pretzels and crush using a rolling pin or a meat tenderizer/hammer.
- In a sauce pan over medium heat, melt butter, add sugar and stir well, turn off the heat and add the pretzels.
- Spread the pretzel mixture on the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, pressing evenly on the bottom of the dish.
- Bake in the oven for 8-10 minutes.Take it out and cool completely.
- When it has cooled, freeze until you make the cream layer.
Make the creamy filling:
- Using an electric hand mixer, cream sugar, and cream cheese until fluffy and airy.
- Fold in the cool whip with a spatula.
- Spread the cream mixture on top of the cooled pretzel covering and sealing the edges of the pretzel layer very well.
- Freeze for 30 minutes.
Finish the dish:
- Hull and slice your strawberries and mix them into the room temperature jello mix.
- Spread the jello evenly on the cream layer and refrigerate for another 2 hours or until jello is set.
Nutrition
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Cassie
Hi Amira, love your food.
I don't use Cool Whip. Do you think this recipe would work with whipped cream??
Thanks!
Books? I really enjoyed "American Dirt". It got a lot of bad press but I thought the author did a lot of research and I found it to be a great read that was exciting, enlightening and even educational as I'm trying to learn Spanish.
SO many good books out there and I read a lot. Cooking and reading, can't beat them. Also, your English is amazing and I applaud you!
Amira
Cassie, yes sure you can. Just make sure to sweeten it a bit and to add a little vanilla extract for flavor. Thank you so much for sharing what you are reading right now.. bad press!! you got me interested in this book, I will go check it out.
Erin
It was devine! I switch it up using sugar free jello which saves on the calories. I served it with chicken salad and croissants, everyone loved it.
Carissa Rasouli
Yes! I loved the book -- it stuck with me for weeks after finishing it! You are right that the movie didn't do the novel justice. There is even a sequel to the book and I think there is a third part of book coming out right now.
And I love the dessert! I have forgotten all about it -- this is just in time for spring brunches 🙂
Kyle | Burger Artist
Yum, this looks great! Strawberries are my favorite in desserts.
Erin @ The Speckled Palate
Dessert salad? Oh, heck yes! I'm so into this and the salty-sweet combo!
Citra Kale
I did not change anything. Thank you for sharing your recipe.
Evelyne CulturEatz
You have convinced me to maybe keep my mind open about this book, not my normal type either. And yeah salty sweet is a thumbs up! Great litte dessert.
Juliana
I read the book I mean listen to the audio book and yes...heartbreaking...like you I could not stop listening to the audio book...and found myself crying...
I have never tried this dessert...and I would love to...it seems pretty simple and straight forward and great to take in pot luck...thanks for the sharing it Amira. I hope you are having a great week my dear 🙂
John/Kitchen Riffs
Sounds like a good book. And speaking of good, what a salad! I've never had this. Nor made it, obviously! But it looks terrific -- thanks!