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Classic Creamy Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad

strawberry pretzel salad - featured image
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A nostalgic, crowd-pleasing summer dessert featuring a crunchy salty pretzel crust, creamy cream cheese layer, and a sweet strawberry gelatin topping. Easy to make and perfect for gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, divided
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip)
  • 4 cups fresh sliced strawberries
  • 1 package (3 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin mix
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • 1/2 cup cold water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups crushed pretzels, 6 tablespoons melted butter, and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix well until crumbs are evenly coated.
  3. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish. Firmly pack it down using the bottom of a glass or your fingers.
  4. Bake the crust for 10 minutes until golden and toasty. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
  5. In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar until smooth and creamy.
  6. Gently fold in 2 cups whipped topping until fully combined but still fluffy.
  7. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
  8. Place the dish in the refrigerator to chill for about 15 minutes.
  9. Dissolve 1 package (3 oz) strawberry gelatin in 1 cup boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
  10. Stir in 1/2 cup cold water and let cool for 10-15 minutes until cool but not setting.
  11. Evenly distribute 4 cups sliced strawberries over the creamy layer.
  12. Carefully pour the cooled gelatin mixture over the strawberries without disturbing the creamy layer.
  13. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to let the gelatin set fully.
  14. Slice into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

Crush pretzels finely for an even crust. Cool the crust completely before adding the creamy layer to prevent sogginess. Let gelatin cool before pouring to avoid melting layers. Chill the dessert for several hours or overnight for best results. Variations include using gluten-free pretzels, dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping, or swapping berries.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry pretzel salad, summer dessert, layered dessert, creamy dessert, old-fashioned dessert, potluck dessert, easy dessert

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/classic-creamy-old-fashioned-strawberry-pretzel-salad-easy-homemade-recipe-for-summer-dessert/