Craving a nostalgic treat? Try Strawberry Pretzel Salad – the ultimate easy dessert! This jello salad nails the sweet and salty combo, perfect for holidays or a delicious strawberry jello dessert. Bonus: Fresh or frozen strawberries for added convenience!
Jello recipes, like this popular Strawberry Pretzel Salad, are perfect for potlucks. They're easy to make, keep well, and make a holiday favorite. We also think you will enjoy our Strawberry Jello Poke Cake or our Homemade Pumpkin Pie.
What is strawberry pretzel salad?
Pretzel salad is a dish that consists of pretzels, fruit, and a creamy dressing. It is typically served as a side dish or dessert. The pretzels add a crunchy texture to the salad, while the fruit adds sweetness and flavor. The salad can be made with any type of fruit, but strawberries are the most popular.
Pretzel salad is believed to have originated in the United States. It is a popular dish at potlucks and picnics. While the salad can include any fruit, strawberries stand out as the most popular choice.
Bring back a taste of nostalgia with this delicious strawberry pretzel salad recipe that's easy to make and even more delicious to eat!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- The ingredients are simple and can be found in almost any grocery store.
- The sweet and salty combination of pretzels and strawberry is a great combination, along with giggly jello.
- Serve it as a dessert during spring or summer or as a delightful addition to your holiday feast!
- Crafted with fewer than ten ingredients, this strawberry pretzel salad is a breeze to make!
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Crushed Pretzels - They give the salad a nice crunch and its classic salty flavor.
- Unsalted Butter - Used to coat the pretzels to crush down and make the perfect crust.
- Cream Cheese & Cool Whip - Makes up the base of the pretzel pie, giving it a creamy, sweet, and tangy taste.
- Strawberry Jell-O - Used with strawberries, jello adds strawberry flavor along with a fun texture.
- Frozen Strawberries - No doubt, the dessert's shining star, and it wouldn't be complete without the addition of suspended strawberries in the jello.
- Boiling Water - Used to activate the gelatin.
How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Prepare for baking: Preheat the oven to 400F and prepare a baking dish. Set aside.
Bake the pretzel crust: Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Turn off the heat, add the crushed pretzel, and stir until completely coated. Add the pretzel to the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish and press it down with a spoon until firm and even. Bake for 5 minutes. Then, let cool to room temperature.
Prepare the cream filling: While the pretzels are cooling. Add cream cheese, sugar, and cool whip to a large bowl. Whip together with an electric hand mixer. Then, spread evenly over the top of the pretzel very carefully. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Make the strawberry mixture: Boil the water and add the Jell-O mix. Stir until well combined. Let the strawberries cool to room temperature before stirring them in.
Assemble and serve: Pour the strawberry mixture over the top of the Jell-O salad. Refrigerate for 2 hours until Jell-O is completely set. Slice and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- When baking the pretzel crust, do not cook too long as you do not want the pretzels to get too hard or burn.
- The cream filling should be spread evenly over the pretzel crust. If it is not, the Jell-O will not be set properly.
- Do not add the strawberries to the Jell-O mixture until it has cooled to room temperature. Otherwise, they could get too mushy in the hot jello and change the texture.
- To make this recipe easier, you can use a store-bought pretzel crust. Simply follow the instructions above and spread the cream filling over the pretzel crust. Then, continue with the strawberry mixture instructions.
- This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Variations
- Change up the jello flavor: Feel free to use a different flavor of jello, such as raspberry, lime, or blueberry.
- Use a different type of fruit: You can use any berries you’d like in this recipe. Fresh or frozen, both work great!
- Swap the crushed pretzels: If you’re not a fan of pretzels, you can use graham crackers or even vanilla wafers.
- Add some whipped topping: Top the salad with some whipped cream or Cool Whip for an extra special touch!
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Once chilled, this salad can be served and stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Freezing: We do not recommend freezing this salad as the pretzels will get soggy and the cream filling can separate.
FAQ
There is no definitive answer to this question. Pretzel salad is thought to have originated in the United States in the 1950s or 1960s by the company Jell-0.
Yes! You can use any type of pretzel you’d like for this recipe. However, we recommend using a pretzel that is not too thick, as it will be difficult to crush.
Though it is called pretzel salad, this dessert is served more like a jello mold or jello salad that is served in square slices. It can be made in a round dish and served more like pie if desired.
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More Easy Dessert Recipes
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups pretzels (crushed)
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
- 8 oz cool whip
- 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
- 10 oz frozen strawberries (sliced)
- 2 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°.
- In a saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Turn off the heat, add the crushed pretzels, and stir until completely coated.
- Add the pretzels to the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish and press it down with a spoon. Then, bake for 5 minutes. Then, let cool to room temperature.
- While the pretzels are cooling. Add cream cheese, sugar, and Cool Whip to a large bowl. Whip together with an electric hand mixer. Then, spread evenly over the top of the pretzel very carefully. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, boil the water and add the Jell-O mix. Stir until well combined. Let cool to room temperature. Then, mix in sliced strawberries and pour over the top of the Jell-O salad. Refrigerate for 2 hours until Jell-O is completely set.
Notes
- For optimal results, it is recommended to use small pretzels that have been salted, whether they are in stick form or the traditional pretzel twist shape. The saltiness of the hard pretzels adds an unexpected yet delightful element to the dish.
- To ensure accurate measurements, it is recommended first to crush the tiny, salted pretzels and then measure the desired amount.
- The recipe calls for frozen strawberries, but fresh strawberries can also be used.
- To make removing the dish from the pan more accessible, you can line it with parchment paper. This will prevent the food from sticking to the pan and allow for a smooth and easy release.
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
Babe mcGuire
I make this Keto substituting walnuts or Smokey salted almonds and real whipping cream and sugar free jello. About 4 carbs for large piece!
Ryan Allen
Thanks for sharing your tips on how to make it keto.