Description
Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy sweetened cream cheese layer, and a refreshing strawberry gelatin topping with fresh strawberries. This American classic is perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks, combining sweet, salty, and tangy flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Layer
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
Gelatin Layer
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (6 oz) package strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F. In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar until the mixture is well mixed. Press this evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form the crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely to ensure it sets properly and won’t break when sliced.
- Make the cream cheese layer: In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with 1 cup of granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until fully incorporated, creating a light, fluffy texture. Spread this cream layer evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, being sure to seal the edges well to prevent the gelatin layer from leaking through and making the crust soggy.
- Prepare the strawberry gelatin layer: In another bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring thoroughly until completely dissolved. Allow the gelatin mixture to cool to room temperature to avoid melting the cream layer. Once cooled, stir in the sliced fresh strawberries evenly.
- Assemble and chill: Pour the cooled strawberry gelatin mixture carefully over the cream cheese layer, spreading it out evenly. Place the dish in the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours or until the gelatin is fully set. This chilling time ensures the layers firm up and the flavors meld together beautifully.
- Serve: Once set, slice the salad into squares and serve chilled for a refreshing, delicious treat that balances sweet, salty, and creamy flavors perfectly.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese layer seals the edges of the crust completely to keep the pretzel crust crisp and prevent sogginess.
- If fresh strawberries are not available, frozen strawberries can be used; just thaw and drain them well before adding to the gelatin.
- This dessert can be made a day ahead, making it ideal for potlucks and summer parties.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 270 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
