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
Scale
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