Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Craving a dessert that’s ridiculously easy AND insanely delicious? Strawberry Pretzel Salad is your answer. This viral recipe has more than 400,000 views and has gone crazy viral on Pinterest.

It’s the perfect combination: a buttery pretzel crust that’s salty and satisfying, a tangy cream cheese filling that’s light and creamy, and a sweet, juicy strawberry Jell-O topping that bursts with flavor. Perfect for any occasion – potlucks, BBQs, or even a quick weeknight treat.

What is Strawberry Pretzel Salad?

Strawberry pretzel salad is actually not so much a salad, it is more of a layered dessert recipe.

It is a no-bake dessert that combines sweet and salty flavors. It has a base of crushed pretzels that are baked until firm and then topped with a creamy layer of whipped cream and cream cheese.

The final touch is a strawberry gelatin layer studded with fresh or frozen strawberries. It’s a refreshing and easy dessert that’s perfect for potlucks or summertime gatherings.

While we are unsure of it’s origin, it gained popularity through community cookbooks and potlucks, similar to Watergate Salad and Ambrosia Salad, becoming a favorite for its simplicity and crowd-pleasing taste.

Ingredients Notes

• Pretzels – For the crust, use crushed salted pretzel sticks or twists. They’re easier to crush and measure than larger pretzels.
• Sugar, divided
• Butter, melted
• Cream cheese – Use full-fat cream cheese and make sure it is at room temperature and softened.
• Vanilla
• Cool whip (thawed in the refrigerator) – I do not recommend using fresh whipped cream. It could cause the filling to be too watery.
• Fresh strawberries – We always prefer using fresh fruit, but you can use frozen strawberries if you are in a crunch!
• Strawberry jello – You can use any brand of gelatin. If you like, you could change the flavor of this salad altogether by switching up the jello flavor. Some other jello flavors that would be delicious in a pretzel salad include cherry, raspberry, strawberry banana, or lime.
• Water

How to make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

1. Preheat oven: to 350 degrees.
2. Make the crust: Combine in a medium bowl, crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
3. Make the Jello: In a medium bowl, mix boiling water and jello. Stir until jello is completely dissolved. Stir in sliced strawberries. Chill in the fridge until the jello is partially set (for about 1 hour.)
4. Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, remaining sugar, and vanilla, until well combined. Fold in the cool whip.
5. Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the pretzel crust, (make sure it completely covers the crust and touches the sides of the pan). Let chill in the fridge for a few minutes)
6. Layer the Jello: Carefully pour or spoon the strawberry jello over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate until the jello and dish are firm (about 3-4 hours).

Tips

• To crush your pretzels easily, place them in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin, wooden spoon, or your hand to do so!
• Be sure to spread the cream cheese layer all the way to the edges of the pretzel crust. This will keep the jello from seeping through and making the crust soggy or mushy.
• If you have any extra cool whip, you can top each serving with an extra dollop of whipped cream when serving your strawberry pretzel salad.
• This dish is meant to be served cold, so the longer it can be kept in the refrigerator, the better. It can be kept for up to 3 days in the fridge.
• We always prefer using fresh fruit, but you can use frozen strawberries if you are in a crunch!

Tips for the Perfect Crust

To achieve a stable and delicious crust for your strawberry pretzel salad, please follow these important tips.

• Sufficient binding: Make sure you’re using the correct amount of melted butter or other binding ingredients, like sugar, in the crust mixture. Too little butter can lead to a crumbly crust that doesn’t stick together.
• Pressing the crust: When making a pretzel crust, it’s important to press the mixture down firmly and evenly to ensure it stays intact when you slice and serve the salad.
• Overbaking the crust: If the crust is overbaked, it can become too dry and crumbly, causing it to fall apart when you add the layers on top. To prevent this, keep a close eye on the crust while baking and remove it from the oven when it’s just lightly golden.
• Proper cooling: Allowing the crust to cool completely before adding the other layers is crucial. If the crust is still warm, the filling may seep into it and cause it to become soggy or fall apart when cutting.
• Too much moisture in the filling: If the filling layers are too moist, they can cause the crust to become soggy and fall apart. Make sure your cream cheese layer is thick enough to act as a barrier between the crust and the strawberry layer and drain any excess liquid from the strawberries before adding them to the salad.

Proper STorage

To store strawberry pretzel dessert properly, follow these steps:

1. Cover: Once the salad has set, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect it from absorbing odors and drying out.
2. Refrigerate: Store the covered salad in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and prevent the layers from becoming too soft or melting.
3. Container: If you need to transport the salad or prefer not to store it in its original dish, transfer it to an airtight container before refrigerating. This will help preserve its freshness and prevent it from drying out.
4. Storage duration: Strawberry pretzel salad is best enjoyed within 2-3 days of preparation. Over time, the crust may start to soften and the flavors may diminish.

When you’re ready to serve the salad again, simply remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

If you are bringing this to a potluck or serving it at a gathering, make sure to put it back in the fridge in between servings. If the cream cheese layer melts, it will lose its form and become a huge mess.

I do not recommend freezing this recipe.

More Strawberry Desserts

• Strawberry Crisp
• Strawberry Shortcake Trifle
• Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries
• Strawberry Lemonade Cream Cheese Cookies
• Strawberry Fluff Salad
• Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake
• Strawberry Eclair Cake