Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe (Jello Dessert)

This simple and light Strawberry Pretzel salad with loads of strawberries and decadent filling is a perfect sweet addition to any holiday table or potluck. Going viral on social media and sparking serious debate about whether it is a salad or a dessert, it carries an unbeatable taste and a playful combo of soft and crunchy textures, along with sweet and salty flavors.

I'm in love with easy sweet treats, and this recipe ticks all the boxes. If you are looking for other delicious treats to take to a potluck this year try this Southern Chessmen Cookie Banana Pudding Recipe or my favorite Easy Cherry Cobbler With Box Cake Mix. These are always a favorite at parties and holiday get-togethers.

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Why You'll Love This Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe!

This versatile dessert or sweet layered salad is an easy treat for spring or summer gatherings, special occasions, and potlucks.

Fun combination of sweet and salty flavors in every bite- Not an obvious pairing of flavors: fresh juicy fruity strawberries with salty and crunchy pretzels. I wouldn't believe it until I tried it - delicious and very complementary to each other.

The best part is the texture: rich cream cheese is thickly spread over crushed pretzels and covered with strawberries and strawberry Jell-O.

But that's not it! The recipe is not that obvious with its flavor profile - you will get warm cozy notes of cinnamon and vanilla.

• Versatile- Even if strawberries are not your thing, you can easily swap them with a different fruit or berries, and the same goes for gelatin. Endless variations are possible.
• A simple casserole style dessert- No need to portion anything, just mix, layer, and bake. This recipe makes 12 servings in one go, ideal for busy homemakers.

And finally, it is a really simple recipe. No fancy ingredients, minimal bake time, and short prep time. A low-effort dessert that looks stunning and tastes delicious. A no-brainer for a summer party.

Equipment Needed

9x13 casserole dish - a regular porcelain or glass casserole dish. A 9x13 dish will make 12 servings.

large mixing bowl - to combine all ingredients

a bowl or large cup to prep the Jello.

Key Ingredients

Cream cheese - Light, fluffy, and sweet cream cheese makes a great filling and is one of the best pairings for strawberries. Choose full-fat cream cheese.

Fresh Strawberries - if you have an abundance of fresh strawberries this time of year, you are in luck! It is possible to use frozen strawberries as well.

Jello - to enhance the flavors and the main theme of a Summer recipe, I use strawberry Jello. It also looks beautiful as it makes a transparent red layer to spread fresh strawberries on top of the baked layer.

Cool Whip - I use the original Cool Whip, but you can substitute it with whipped cream, but it may not hold for as long as it will with Cool Whip.

Pretzels - You need salty pretzels. We will crush them so the size doesn't really matter, although it is easier to handle small ones. The sticks will work too!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Boil 2 cups of water either in the microwave or stovetop and add the package of strawberry Jello to dissolve. Set aside to cool to room temperature (this will take some time but do not let it begin to solidify).

Next, in a large bowl combine the ingredients for the pretzel crust: melted butter, crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and cinnamon.

Stir to coat the pretzels with the butter and press the mixture into a 9x13 casserole or glass dish to create the crust. Bake for 10 minutes.

Set aside to cool completely.

When the crust is cool make the filling layer by mixing the softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, sugar, and vanilla extract.

Spread this mixture over the crust in an even layer making sure to completely cover the crust going all the way till the edges of the dish. By spreading the cream cheese into the corners it will prevent the Jello from seeping into the other layers. This will keep the dessert looking pretty with its 3 distinct layers.

Add the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese layer. Once the strawberry Jello is cooled pour over the strawberries. Place the dessert in the refrigerator to set up for at least 4 hours. Once the Jello has been set slice it into 12 pieces and serve.

Serving Suggestions

It comes out just perfect but if you want to take this strawberry dessert to the next level, serve it chilled with additional Cool Whip or whipped cream.

Storage

As you will make it in a casserole dish, you can easily store it that way or transfer it into air tight containers. If storing in the dish, make sure to tightly cover the dessert with aluminum foil.

The strawberry pretzel salad keeps for up to 3 days in the refrigerator so you can enjoy the batch over the whole weekend and even take some to work.

Do not store it in the freezer, the cream cheese filling can get separated and the top Jello layer will change its texture.

Make Ahead

This sweet dessert is best made several hours ahead of time, as it requires quite a lot of chilling time - 4 hours.

The prep and cook time are only 25 minutes, so you can quickly make it before the party and let it cool while you are getting ready. Alternatively, make it a day ahead and let it cool overnight in the fridge.

Expert Tips

• A mess-free tip to crush pretzels is to put them in a ziploc bag, close it, and roll a rolling pin over it.
• Make sure to plan ahead because the Jello will need several hours to cool and set.
• Follow the recipe instructions for making the Jello and not the directions on the package.
• Allow the cream cheese to soften a little bit, it will be easier to mix with the Cool Whip and sugar.
• Spread the cream cheese mixture completely into the corners of the casserole dish to form a barrier so that the Jello does not seep into the crust layer.
• Allow the Jello to cool and begin to just thicken slightly before pouring over the filling. DO NOT let it solidify because it will not form a smooth layer for the top.
• If you decide to go with whipped cream remember that homemade whipped topping may not last up to 3 days in the fridge so plan to eat the whole dessert the day it is made. And check out my tips for stabilized whipped cream.

Did you try this recipe? Please let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, and a 5- star rating. I would love to hear from you! Subscribe Here to get new recipes sent straight to your inbox!