My grandmother, bless her heart, always said the best memories are made around the table. I still remember summer potlucks, the air thick with laughter, and that one dish everyone eagerly awaited: the famous strawberry pretzel salad. It wasn’t just a side dish; it was a legend!
My kids now clamor for this incredible strawberry pretzel salad as soon as the weather warms up. This recipe brings together the perfect sweet-salty crunch with a creamy, fruity dream, making it a staple for family gatherings. It’s a simple salad that always makes people smile, and I can’t wait for you to make this beautiful strawberry pretzel for your loved ones. This classic pretzel jello salad is truly a taste of summer.
Table of Contents
strawberry pretzel salad
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 mins
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
Description
This amazing strawberry pretzel salad offers the ultimate trifecta: a salty, buttery pretzel crust, a rich, creamy whipped topping, and a vibrant, sweet strawberry jello layer. It's incredibly easy to assemble, serves a crowd beautifully, and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser, perfect for family gatherings and a true taste of summer.
Ingredients
2 cups Pretzels, crushed
¾ cup Unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup Granulated sugar
8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
1 cup Granulated sugar
12 ounces Whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
2 (3-ounce) packages Strawberry flavored gelatin (Jell-O)
2 cups Boiling water
½ cup Cold water
1 pound Fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C)
- Crush your pretzels finely
- In a bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and ¼ cup sugar
- Press this mixture firmly into a 9×13 inch baking dish
- Bake for 10 minutes, then cool completely
- While the crust cools, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth
- Fold in the thawed whipped topping
- Spread this creamy mixture over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring you seal it to the edges
- Dissolve the strawberry gelatin in boiling water
- Stir in the cold water
- Allow the mixture to cool for about 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened
- Gently fold in the sliced fresh strawberries
- Carefully pour this strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer
- Refrigerate your delicious strawberry pretzel salad for at least 4 hours, or until firmly set
Notes
Crush your pretzels well; fine crumbs create a better crust.
Ensure you firmly press the pretzel mixture into the pan to prevent crumbling later.
Spread the cream cheese mixture completely to the edges of the pretzel crust. This creates a seal and prevents the jello from seeping into the pretzel layer, keeping your strawberry pretzel salad crisp.
Allow the jello to cool and slightly thicken before adding strawberries and pouring it over the cream cheese. This prevents the strawberries from sinking and ensures an even layer.
Cover any leftover strawberry pretzel salad tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It remains fresh and delicious for 3-4 days.
We don't recommend freezing this strawberry pretzel salad as the jello texture changes upon thawing, and the pretzels can become soggy.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
Keywords: strawberry, pretzel, salad, jello, dessert, side dish, potluck, summer, creamy, sweet-salty
WHY YOU’LL LOVE THIS STRAWBERRY PRETZEL SALAD RECIPE
You need this strawberry pretzel salad in your life, truly! This amazing strawberry pretzel offers the ultimate trifecta: a salty, buttery pretzel crust, a rich, creamy whipped topping, and a vibrant, sweet strawberry jello layer. This pretzel salad is incredibly easy to assemble, perfect for busy moms like me.
Furthermore, it serves a crowd beautifully. You will love how quickly this pretzel salad comes together, making it an ideal choice for any potluck or family meal. Everyone always asks for the recipe for this fantastic strawberry pretzel salad. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!
INGREDIENTS YOU’LL NEED
Gathering your ingredients for this delightful strawberry pretzel salad is simple. You likely have many items in your pantry already.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Pretzels, crushed | 2 cups |
| Unsalted butter, melted | ¾ cup |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup (for crust) + 1 cup (for cream cheese layer) |
| Cream cheese, softened | 8 ounces |
| Whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed | 12 ounces |
| Strawberry flavored gelatin (Jell-O) | 2 (3-ounce) packages |
| Boiling water | 2 cups |
| Cold water | ½ cup |
| Fresh strawberries, sliced | 1 pound |
SUBSTITUTIONS & VARIATIONS
You can easily adapt this strawberry pretzel salad to fit your family’s preferences. For the crust, consider using gluten-free pretzels. You can also swap out the strawberry jello for raspberry or cherry for a different pretzel jello salad flavor.
Some people enjoy adding sliced bananas or blueberries to the strawberry layer, creating a berry pretzel salad twist. If you prefer a less sweet option, reduce the sugar in the cream cheese layer slightly. This versatile strawberry pretzel salad always welcomes your creative touch.
While this salad offers delightful customization, the versatility of fresh strawberries extends far beyond, creating delicious additions to other desserts. If you’re looking for another fantastic way to incorporate the sweet, fruity flavor into your baking, consider a luscious Strawberry Cake Filling.
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Note: This video is for demonstration purposes and may use a slightly different method.
- Let’s make this amazing strawberry pretzel salad together! First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Next, crush your pretzels finely.
- In a bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and ¼ cup sugar. Press this mixture firmly into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool completely.
- While the crust cools, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Fold in the thawed whipped topping. Spread this creamy mixture over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring you seal it to the edges.
- Now, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in boiling water. Stir in the cold water. Allow the mixture to cool for about 10-15 minutes, until slightly thickened.
- Gently fold in the sliced fresh strawberries. Carefully pour this strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate your delicious strawberry pretzel salad for at least 4 hours, or until firmly set.
PRO TIPS FOR SUCCESS
Achieving the perfect strawberry pretzel salad requires a few key tips. First, crush your pretzels well; fine crumbs create a better crust. Second, ensure you firmly press the pretzel mixture into the pan to prevent crumbling later.
Crucially, spread the cream cheese mixture completely to the edges of the pretzel crust. This creates a seal and prevents the jello from seeping into the pretzel layer, keeping your strawberry pretzel salad crisp. Furthermore, allow the jello to cool and slightly thicken before adding strawberries and pouring it over the cream cheese.
This prevents the strawberries from sinking and ensures an even layer. This makes your strawberry pretzel salad look beautiful.
The creamy layer in this pretzel salad is essential for its delicious balance, much like how a rich, smooth texture elevates other desserts. If you adore that creamy element combined with fresh strawberries, you’ll be delighted by the luxurious layers of a Creamy Strawberry Custard Cake.
STORAGE & REHEATING TIPS
This delightful strawberry pretzel salad stores wonderfully. Cover any leftover pretzel salad tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. It remains fresh and delicious for 3-4 days.
We don’t recommend freezing this strawberry pretzel salad as the jello texture changes upon thawing, and the pretzels can become soggy. Enjoy it chilled directly from the refrigerator!
WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE
This refreshing strawberry pretzel salad makes a fantastic accompaniment to many meals. It perfectly balances richer, savory dishes. Serve your strawberry pretzel salad alongside grilled chicken or pork chops for a casual dinner.
It also pairs beautifully with barbecue ribs or a summer pot roast. For a lighter meal, enjoy it with a simple green salad and a light vinaigrette. My family often enjoys this strawberry pretzel salad after a hearty weeknight meal or as the star dessert at our weekend gatherings.
This refreshing salad is a fantastic dessert that easily complements any meal or gathering with its unique texture and flavor. For another show-stopping strawberry dessert that’s sure to impress guests, you might want to try a Strawberry Earthquake Cake Recipe.
FAQS
Is strawberry pretzel salad a dessert or a side dish?
This versatile strawberry pretzel salad often bridges both categories! Many families serve it as a refreshing side dish at potlucks and BBQs, while others enjoy this salad as a delightful dessert. It works well either way!
Can I make strawberry pretzel salad ahead of time?
Absolutely! In fact, making your strawberry pretzel salad ahead of time is highly recommended. You need at least 4 hours for it to set properly, but you can easily prepare it the day before.
How long does strawberry pretzel salad last?
Your delicious strawberry pretzel salad lasts for 3-4 days when stored properly covered in the refrigerator. The pretzel crust will gradually soften over time.
Strawberry pretzel salad is a beloved American dessert often seen at potlucks and family gatherings, particularly in the Southern United States. This iconic dish uniquely combines a salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a vibrant strawberry-flavored gelatin topping, beautifully bridging the gap between a side dish and a dessert.
NUTRITION INFORMATION (PER SERVING)
(Approximate values for 12 servings of strawberry pretzel salad)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350 kcal |
| Total Fat | 20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 12 g |
| Cholesterol | 45 mg |
| Sodium | 300 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g |
| Total Sugars | 30 g |
| Protein | 4 g |