Irresistibly Sweet Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe for Summer Joy
Crafting a delightful strawberry pretzel salad brings pure joy to summer gatherings.
Sweet and salty layers create a mouthwatering dessert experience.
Crisp pretzel crusts provide a crunchy foundation for creamy cheesecake-like filling.
Vibrant strawberry gelatin adds a refreshing burst of color and flavor.
Chilled and beautiful, this dessert feels like a celebration on a plate.
Layers of texture and taste will have everyone asking for seconds.
One bite promises to become your new favorite summer treat.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Questions—Quick Answers
The pretzel crumbs create a salty, crunchy base that provides a delicious contrast to the sweet cream cheese and strawberry layers, adding texture and depth of flavor to the dessert.
Whip the cream cheese until completely smooth before gradually adding powdered sugar, and fold in the whipped cream gently to maintain a light, creamy consistency without deflating the mixture.
Fresh strawberries work best for optimal flavor and texture. Frozen strawberries can make the gelatin layer watery and less vibrant, potentially compromising the dessert’s overall quality.
Why Strawberry Pretzel Salad Is Sweet, Salty, And Perfect
What You’ll Need For Strawberry Pretzel Salad
For the Crust:For the Cream Cheese Layer:For the Topping:How To Build Strawberry Pretzel Salad Step By Step
Step 1: Warm Up The Oven
Crank the oven to a cozy 350°F and grab a 9×13-inch baking dish. Give the surface a quick spray of cooking oil to prevent sticking.
Step 2: Crush Pretzel Base
Grab your pretzels and transform them into fine, sandy crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin. Mix the crumbs with melted butter and sugar until they clump together like delicious building blocks.
Step 3: Create Crust Foundation
Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of the baking dish. Make sure it’s packed down tight and looks perfectly even – like a smooth, delicious carpet.
Step 4: Bake Pretzel Layer
Pop the crust into the oven and bake for 10 minutes. Watch for a golden color and a mouth-watering aroma. Once done, pull it out and let it cool completely.
Step 5: Whip Cream Cheese Filling
Grab your cream cheese and beat it until silky smooth. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, creating a dreamy, sweet base.
Step 6: Fold In Whipped Cream
Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. The goal is to keep it light and fluffy – like clouds of deliciousness.
Step 7: Spread Cream Cheese Layer
Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust. Make sure it reaches every single corner of the dish.
Step 8: Chill First Layer
Place the dish in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to help the cream cheese layer set up perfectly.
Step 9: Prepare Strawberry Gelatin
Dissolve strawberry gelatin completely in boiling water. Add cold water to bring down the temperature.
Step 10: Arrange Strawberry Slices
Scatter fresh strawberry slices across the cream cheese layer. Aim for an even, beautiful distribution.
Step 11: Pour Gelatin Topping
Gently pour the gelatin mixture over the strawberries. Be careful not to disturb the pretty fruit arrangement.
Step 12: Final Chill
Refrigerate the dessert for at least 4 hours or overnight. Wait until the gelatin is completely set and firm.
Step 13: Serve And Enjoy
Slice into squares and serve chilled. Marvel at the gorgeous layers and incredible taste combination.
Tips That Help With Strawberry Pretzel Salad Layers
Tasty Twists On Classic Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Perfect Pairings For Strawberry Pretzel Salad
How To Keep Strawberry Pretzel Salad Fresh And Crunchy
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
- Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
- Yield: 8 1x
Description
Sweet meets salty in this classic strawberry pretzel salad, blending creamy cheesecake-like layers with crunchy pretzel crust and fresh strawberry topping. Cool summer dessert perfection awaits you with this nostalgic potluck favorite that promises delightful texture and irresistible flavor in every bite.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 2 cups pretzel crumbs
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped cream
Strawberry Topping:
- 2 packages (3 oz each) strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1 cup cold water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish by lightly greasing the surface.
- Pulverize pretzels into fine crumbs, then combine with melted butter and granulated sugar, mixing until thoroughly integrated and slightly clumped.
- Press the pretzel mixture firmly and evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a compact and uniform crust.
- Bake the pretzel crust for 10 minutes until lightly golden and fragrant, then remove and allow to cool completely at room temperature.
- While the crust cools, whip cream cheese until smooth and creamy, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar until well blended.
- Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, ensuring a light and airy texture without deflating the volume.
- Spread the cream cheese layer carefully and evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, creating a smooth surface that reaches all edges.
- Refrigerate the layered dessert for 30 minutes to help the cream cheese layer set.
- Dissolve strawberry gelatin completely in boiling water, then stir in cold water to reduce temperature.
- Arrange fresh strawberry slices across the cream cheese layer in an even distribution.
- Slowly pour the gelatin mixture over the strawberries, ensuring complete coverage without disrupting the fruit placement.
- Refrigerate the dessert for at least 4 hours or overnight until the gelatin is fully set and firm.
- Cut into squares and serve chilled, showcasing the vibrant layers and contrasting textures.
Notes
- Crush pretzels finely for a uniform, crisp base that enhances the dessert’s textural contrast.
- Use softened cream cheese at room temperature to prevent lumps and achieve a silky smooth layer.
- Select ripe, sweet strawberries for maximum flavor and visual appeal in the gelatin topping.
- Chill the dessert thoroughly to allow layers to set properly and develop a cohesive, elegant structure.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
Olivia Brooks
Contributing Writer
Expertise
Education
Culinary Institute of America
Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate Program
Focus: Culinary fundamentals, nutrition, and healthy cooking technique
Olivia believes good food should feed both the body and the soul. She earned her Accelerated Culinary Arts Certificate from the Culinary Institute of America, where she focused on nutrition and practical cooking techniques that make healthy eating easy.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Olivia shares single-serving recipes that are fresh, plant-forward, and full of heart. She loves helping people eat better, without stress, strict rules, or sacrificing flavor.
Beyond the kitchen, Olivia spends her time tending her backyard garden, practicing yoga, and discovering hidden gems in Portland’s food scene.