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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Featured in Indulgent Dessert Recipes to Satisfy Any Sweet Tooth.

Start by crushing up pretzels, then mix in some melted butter and sugar, and bake it quickly. Once cooled, spread a sweet cream cheese mix on top. Finally, pour strawberry jelly over fresh berries to finish. Chill in the fridge until firm, and you've got a dessert that's creamy, sweet, and a little salty!

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Updated on Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:53:12 GMT
A creamy dessert with red jelly on top of sliced strawberries and a pretzel crust, served with fresh berries on the side. Pin it
A creamy dessert with red jelly on top of sliced strawberries and a pretzel crust, served with fresh berries on the side. | chefmelt.com

Want a dessert that'll make everyone beg for the recipe? This strawberry pretzel creation mixes juicy berries, velvety cheesecake middle, and a crunchy, salty pretzel bottom into something totally mouthwatering. And don't worry about the "salad" part - this old-school favorite is pure deliciousness!

What Makes This Nostalgic Delight Special

This strawberry pretzel masterpiece brings together salty and sweet in the most amazing combo ever. The crunchy, buttery pretzel foundation offers that perfect snap, while the silky cream cheese section practically dissolves on your tongue. Finish with fresh strawberries suspended in ruby-red jello, and you've created something that looks as fantastic as it tastes.

Your Shopping List

  • Pretzels: 2 cups smashed - they form our crunchy foundation
  • Butter: 3/4 cup melted - the glue for our pretzel layer
  • Sugar: 3 tablespoons for bottom, 1 cup for middle
  • Cream Cheese: 2 8-oz blocks, room temperature - creates your silky middle
  • Cool Whip: 1 8-oz container, defrosted
  • Strawberry Jello: 2 3-oz packs
  • Fresh Strawberries: 2 cups cut - the star on top
  • Boiling Water: 2 cups to mix the jello

Step-by-Step Guide

Create Your Base
Smash those pretzels into rough pieces - keep some texture! Stir with melted butter and a bit of sugar. Push firmly into a 9x13 dish and bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool it down completely.
Whip Up The Middle
Mix your room temp cream cheese with sugar until completely smooth. Carefully fold in Cool Whip - you want this part fluffy! Spread over your cooled base, making sure to touch all edges.
Get Jello Ready
Mix your jello with boiling water, then cool to room temperature while staying liquid. Toss in your fresh strawberry pieces.
Top It Off
When your jello mix is cool but not set, gently pour over your cream cheese section. Stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but leaving it overnight works even better!

Why The Funny Title

Isn't it weird that we call this a "salad" when it's clearly a dessert? It's one of those funny food names from back when jello was super popular and anything set in it could be labeled a salad. But with strawberries on top, maybe we can count it as fruit intake for the day - we'll keep that between us!

Pretzel Perfection

The trick to an amazing base? Don't crush your pretzels too fine - leave some bigger bits for extra crunch. And press that mixture down really firmly. Nobody wants the bottom falling apart!

Cool Whip Know-How

Cool Whip is the classic choice, but you can swap in homemade whipped cream if you prefer. Just make sure you whip it until it's very firm and stable. Whatever you pick, spread that creamy layer all the way to the dish edges - it works like a barrier to stop jello from soaking into your pretzel layer.

Avoid Common Mistakes

Take your time with this one! Let each section cool fully before adding the next. And when you're adding that final jello layer, pour slowly over a spoon back - this trick stops the jello from making holes in your beautiful cream cheese section.

A glass dish filled with layers of whipped cream, strawberries, and pretzels, garnished with fresh strawberries on top. Pin it
A glass dish filled with layers of whipped cream, strawberries, and pretzels, garnished with fresh strawberries on top. | chefmelt.com

Cutting And Sharing Tips

This treat needs plenty of chill time before serving - at least 4 hours, but leaving it overnight works better. For the prettiest slices, dip your knife in hot water between cuts. And keep it in the fridge until you're ready to share - it gets messy when it warms up!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen strawberries?

Yep, just let them thaw first. Make sure to drain the extra juice and dry them off well. They won't be as firm as fresh ones, but they'll work.

→ How long does it need to chill?

At least 4 hours! Better if you let it sit overnight so everything sets well. Keep it nice and cold too.

→ Do I have to bake the pretzel crust?

Yes, baking helps it hold up better. Just 10 minutes in the oven makes it firm. Let it cool completely before adding other layers.

→ Can I prepare it ahead of time?

Making it the day before works just fine. Just wait to add the whipped layer until you're ready to serve to keep it fresher!

→ Can I skip the Cool Whip?

You can swap it with real cream. Whip it until it's thick and fluffy, then sweeten a little. Use it chilled and right before serving.

→ Why does it end up too soggy?

Check your berries—they should be well-drained and dry. Use less jelly if needed, and let each layer set before adding the next. That should help keep things in check.

→ How do I keep it from sliding around during transport?

Keep it cool in an ice-packed container with solid sides. Drive carefully! Bring along an extra treat to be safe.

→ Can I speed it up?

A quick freeze can help, but don’t skip the chill time completely—it’s crucial! Be organized to prep all the layers fast.

→ Planning to make more?

Doubling the recipe works, but you’ll need a bigger dish and a bit longer to set. Keep the extra portions cold and fresh for serving.

→ How can I make it sweeter?

Try adding more strawberries or a little extra sugar, but taste as you mix. It's hard to save if it gets too sweet!

→ Why isn’t the crust firm?

Pack it tighter before baking and maybe add a bit more butter. Leave it to cool fully before adding layers.

→ How do I stop the layers from blending together?

Let each layer firm up before adding the next. Make sure everything stays cool, and take your time to go gently.

Conclusion

Liked this one? Make a creamy berry parfait over the weekend. Or try your hand at a simple strawberry tart. Both shine with fresh ingredients!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Had soft strawberries lying around and pretzels collecting dust. Mixed them with cream and jelly, brought to a party, and it was gone in minutes—everyone wanted to know how to make it!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes

Category: Dessert Recipes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (Slices)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 8 oz of cream cheese, brought to room temperature.
02 6 oz package of strawberry jelly powder.
03 Half a cup of granulated sugar.
04 2 cups hot water, just boiled.
05 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted.
06 1 pound of fresh strawberries, cleaned and cut.
07 8 oz of whipped cream (like Chantilly), chilled.
08 2 1/2 cups salted pretzel sticks, measured before smashing.
09 1/4 cup fine sugar.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 175°C (350°F). Mix strawberry jelly powder into 2 cups of recently boiled water. Stir thoroughly to dissolve, then let the mixture cool until it’s at room temperature.

Step 02

Using a zippered plastic bag and a rolling pin, smash the pretzels into roughly crumbled bits until the texture is coarse.

Step 03

In a medium-sized pot, warm the butter on medium heat until melted. Stir in 1/4 cup of sugar and mix thoroughly until blended together. Add in the smashed pretzels, making sure they’re all evenly coated.

Step 04

Spread the pretzel mixture in a 13x9-inch casserole dish made of glass. Press it down gently so it forms an even crust layer on the bottom. Bake for 10 minutes in the preheated oven, then let it cool completely.

Step 05

After the crust has cooled, take an electric hand mixer to whip together the softened cream cheese and half a cup of sugar. Beat until it turns smooth and looks white and fluffy.

Step 06

Take the whipped cream and gently fold it into the sweetened cream cheese mixture until there are no more streaks. Spread this smooth, creamy layer over the pretzel crust, making sure it reaches the edges to seal everything. Chill for 30 minutes in the fridge.

Step 07

Slice the fresh strawberries after removing their green tops, and gently stir them into the cooled jelly mixture.

Step 08

Pour the strawberry jelly mix right over the creamy layer, spreading it evenly so it’s smooth. Place the dish in the fridge and let it set for about 2 to 4 hours or until firm.

Notes

  1. This dessert has an irresistible combo of sweet, salty, and creamy elements, making it a hit at gatherings.
  2. The crunchy pretzel crust is a fun textural surprise that contrasts perfectly with the creamy and fruity parts.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • 13x9-inch casserole dish, made of glass.
  • Medium-sized pan for cooking.
  • Electric hand mixer.
  • Plastic zippered bag.
  • Rolling pin.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Lactose (milk products).
  • Gluten (from pretzels).

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 338
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~