Description
This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful dessert layering a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy sweetened cream cheese filling, and a refreshing strawberry gelatin and fruit topping. The combination of salty and sweet flavors with varied textures makes it a crowd-pleaser for parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 3/4 cup melted butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 oz whipped topping
Topping
- 2 (3 oz) packages strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 (10 oz) packages frozen strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to get it ready for baking the crust.
- Prepare Crust: In a bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of sugar. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 minutes until set and slightly golden. Remove and allow it to cool completely.
- Make Cream Cheese Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese together with 1 cup of sugar until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping to retain its lightness, then spread this mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
- Prepare Strawberry Gelatin: Dissolve the two packages of strawberry gelatin into the 2 cups of boiling water, stirring thoroughly until fully dissolved. Stir in the frozen strawberries, then let the mixture set briefly so it thickens slightly without solidifying completely.
- Assemble and Chill: Carefully pour the strawberry gelatin and berry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate the assembled dessert for several hours, at least 4 hours, until the gelatin topping is fully set and firm. Serve chilled.
Notes
- Ensure the pretzel crust is completely cooled before spreading the cream cheese layer to prevent melting or mixing layers.
- You can substitute fresh strawberries for frozen if desired; just allow them to soften slightly before adding to gelatin.
- For easier slicing, chill the dessert overnight.
- This dessert pairs well with a dollop of whipped cream or a sprinkle of chopped nuts for added texture.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
