Description
Sweet meets salty in this classic strawberry pretzel salad, a nostalgic dessert blending creamy cheesecake-like layers with tart berries and crunchy pretzel crust. Southern comfort comes alive through delightful textures that meld perfectly for a refreshing summer treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups pretzels, crushed
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced fresh
- 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
Crust Ingredients:
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Additional Ingredients:
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8 oz) container whipped topping, thawed
- 1 (6 oz) package strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350F (175C), preparing for the pretzel base creation.
- Pulverize pretzels and combine with melted butter and sugar, then firmly compact the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, creating a sturdy foundation.
- Roast the pretzel crust for precisely 10 minutes, then allow it to cool completely, ensuring a crisp texture.
- Whip cream cheese and sugar until velvety smooth, then gently fold in whipped topping to create a luxurious cream layer.
- Carefully spread the cream cheese mixture across the cooled crust, meticulously sealing the edges to prevent any Jell-O seepage. Refrigerate for half an hour to set.
- Dissolve strawberry Jell-O in boiling water, stirring until completely integrated, then allow to cool to room temperature.
- Incorporate fresh strawberries into the cooled Jell-O mixture, then delicately pour over the cream cheese layer.
- Refrigerate the dessert for a minimum of 4 hours, or until the Jell-O sets completely and becomes firm.
- When ready to serve, slice into neat portions and enjoy the chilled, layered dessert straight from the refrigerator.
Notes
- Seal the cream cheese layer carefully to prevent Jell-O from seeping through, creating a clean and visually appealing dessert.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and easier spreading across the pretzel crust.
- Crush pretzels to a consistent texture to ensure an even, crunchy base that holds together well when serving.
- Allow each layer to cool completely to maintain distinct layers and prevent unwanted mixing of ingredients.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg