Strawberry Pretzel Salad (video)
Crunchy, creamy, sweet, and salty all come together in this fabulous strawberry pretzel salad. Don’t let the name fool you, this recipe is 100% a dessert!
I know the name “strawberry pretzel salad” does not sound appealing to most people, but this dessert is shockingly wonderful and tasty in so many ways! I would compare it to a cheesecake. The creamy center is like a light and fluffy no-bake cheesecake that sits on top of a crunchy-salty pretzel crust. The topping is fresh, jelly, and loaded with strawberry flavor! I’ve also come to realize that strawberry pretzel salad is not a very well-known dessert in Canada, but very popular in the States. Canadians are missing out and that needs to change!
How to make strawberry pretzel salad:
You start by mixing some crushed pretzels with melted butter. Press the pretzel mixture onto a 9×13″ glass baking dish. Bake at 350F for 10 minutes and let cool completely. Then mix a brick of cream cheese with some sugar and cool whip. Spread the mixture on top of the pretzel layer and chill for 30 minutes. Lastly, dissolve two packs of strawberry jello in a cup of boiling water and a cup of cold water. Pour over a pound of sliced fresh strawberries. Stir to coat and spoon over the cream filling. Chill until jello is set.
Expert tips:
How to crush the pretzels:
Place the pretzels in a ziplock bag and crush using a rolling pin or finely chop the pretzels on a cutting board using a chopping knife.
How to spread the cream cheese layer:
Drop heaping spoonfuls of the cream cheese mixture all over the crust using a large spoon or ice cream scoop. Spread the mixture evenly over the crust using an offset spatula. Make sure to seal the edges so the jello doesn’t seep into the bottom causing the crust to be soggy. See video below for demonstration.
FAQ:
What is pretzel salad?
Pretzel salad is a popular Southern dessert often shared at potlucks and holiday dinners. It consists of a pretzel crust with a sweetened cream cheese and Cool Whip filling, topped with fresh fruit set in jello.
Can you make strawberry pretzel salad the night before?
Yes, you can certainly make this the night before, that way the jello has plenty of time to set.
Can you freeze strawberry pretzel salad?
No, you cannot because the jello layer will separate. Freezing will cause the gelatin to break down, and upon thawing it will become a liquid mess.
How long does strawberry pretzel dessert last?
It will last for 3 days if properly stored in the fridge. Any longer than that and the crust will start to soften. I’m telling you, if you have never tried this dessert before, you need to. It’s mind-blowing! A crunchy-salty pretzel crust, along with a light and fluffy creamy center, meets a jiggly, sweet and tart strawberry topping. It’s like a flavor and texture explosion in your mouth!
You might also like:
- Strawberry Lemon Charlotte Cake
- Homemade Strawberry Shortcake
- Easy Fresh Strawberry Cake
- Moist Strawberry Bread
- Fresh Strawberry Muffins
Did you make this recipe? Please kindly leave a comment with your star rating below.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Ingredients
Base
- 2 cups (120g) crushed salted pretzels
- 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
Filling
- 8 oz (250g pkg) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 8 oz container Cool Whip, thawed
Topping
- 6 oz (170g) strawberry Jello powder
- 1 cup (250ml) boiling water
- 1 cup (250ml) cold water
- 1 lb (454g) strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Mix the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar together. Press the mixture onto the bottom of a 9×13″ glass baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool completely.2 cups (120g) crushed salted pretzels, 1/2 cup (114g) unsalted butter, melted, 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- Beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in the Cool Whip until combined. Carefully spread on top of the baked pretzels. Make sure to seal all the edges so the jello doesn’t seep to the bottom and make the pretzels soggy. Chill for 30 minutes.8 oz (250g pkg) cream cheese, 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar, 8 oz container Cool Whip
- Dissolve the jello powder in the hot water. Stir in the cold water and pour over the sliced strawberries. Gently stir the strawberries to coat. Carefully spoon the strawberry mixture on top of the cream filling. Refrigerate for 2-4 hours or until the jello is set.6 oz (170g) strawberry Jello powder, 1 cup (250ml) boiling water, 1 cup (250ml) cold water, 1 lb (454g) strawberries
Notes
Recipe slightly adapted from Natasha’s Kitchen.
My jello packs are approx 3 oz each and they each call for 1 cup of boiling water and 1cup of cold water. If I use 2 packs, should I double the amount of boiling water and cold water? Thanks.
No, just use 2 packs and follow the recipe:)
I have never made this. My husband is allergic to strawberries. Can I substitute canned peaches or maybe fresh blueberries
Yes or raspberries is a great substitute. Enjoy!
In the instructions you mention using 2 packages of jello, but the recipe calls for 6 oz. Of jello. Is that one large package (.6 oz) or 2 smaller packages (3.4 oz.). Please let me know as I would love to try out this recipe.
Hi Susan, I used two 3oz packs of jello powder, so 6 oz altogether. They don’t sell the 6oz family-size box at my local grocery stores, so I’m not sure if it’s available in Canada. Anyways I hope that clarifies and I hope you enjoy the pretzel salad!
Your version of the pretzel salad tastes so much better than the one I’ve been using! It doesn’t taste too sweet and the cream cheese mixture is spot on. Love your recipes! Thank you.
You’re very welcome, Lulu! And thank you for your kind words xoxo
I’m gluten free. Would crushed walnuts or pecans be a good substitute for pretzels? GF pretzels are not the best tasting. Also, can this recipe be cut in half instead?
Hi Patty, crushed salted nuts should work though I’ve never tried it for myself and yes, you can cut the recipe in half.
Can we use frozen strawberries? Thank you
You can, but thaw and drain well, or else the jello will set as soon as you mix them together.
The sweet/ salty combination is terrific. Made a similar recipe when family younger, it was always refreshing. Good to see it’s still around.Delicious. Thx.
You’re very welcome, Jean! Enjoy and happy Saturday!
Great recipe
Thank you:)
My colleague at work made this. It was delicious. Its a great recipe I asked for it and now I’m gonna make it. It’s truly delish Yummy 😊
Thank you! It’s a strange combination of things, but super yummy together:)
I have been making this for years, beginning when I first moved to Pennsylvania in 1989. On occasion, I have used pineapple, but my favorite is using red raspberries with raspberry jello. Most of the time, I use coolwhip, but when I have a little extra time, I use canned coconut milk solids to make a ‘whipped cream’ — outstanding!
Thank you for your comment and I love your raspberry version!
Easy, easy and what a delightful treat.
Thanks, Christy! I’m glad you enjoyed it:)
Can I make this the night ahead?
Yes, you can certainly make this the night before. It will keep well for 3 days.
Hi, I don’t have cool whip where I live (in Singapore), can I replace with sweetened heavy whipped cream instead?
Yes you can. Enjoy and please feel free to reply back if you have any other questions. Have a great day!
I LOVE strawberry pretzel salad! My grandmother used to make it all the time. Its such a strange sounding dessert but so delicious. Thank you for the recipe!
You’re very welcome Diane! I hope you enjoy it:)