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Tasty Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Featured in: Desserts to Satisfy Every Craving

Smash pretzels, combine with butter and sugar, pop in oven until firm. After cooling, spread cream cheese mixture on top. Add strawberry jello over fresh strawberries for final layer. Let sit in fridge until set. Creates a beautiful layered treat with crunchy, sweet and creamy textures together.

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Updated on Tue, 22 Apr 2025 17:24:16 GMT
A slice of dessert featuring a layer of cream, topped with strawberry slices and red jelly, resting on a base of crushed pretzels, with fresh strawberries in the background. Pin it
A slice of dessert featuring a layer of cream, topped with strawberry slices and red jelly, resting on a base of crushed pretzels, with fresh strawberries in the background. | cookingkitchn.com

Need a dessert that'll make everyone beg for the recipe? This strawberry pretzel delight mixes juicy strawberries, velvety cheesecake layers, and a crunchy, salty pretzel bottom into one unforgettable treat. Don't be misled by "salad" in the name - this fan favorite is purely about sweet indulgence!

What Makes This Nostalgic Delight Irresistible

This strawberry pretzel creation brings together salty and sweet in a mind-blowing flavor combo. The crunchy, buttery pretzel foundation provides amazing texture, while the silky cream cheese middle simply dissolves on your tongue. Finish with fresh strawberries swimming in ruby-red jello, and you've created something that looks as stunning as it tastes incredible.

Your Ingredient List

  • Pretzels: 2 cups crushed - they form our snappy foundation
  • Butter: 3/4 cup melted - the glue for our pretzel base
  • Sugar: 3 tablespoons for base, 1 cup for middle layer
  • Cream Cheese: 2 8-oz blocks, softened - creates your silky center
  • Cool Whip: 1 8-oz container, thawed
  • Strawberry Jello: 2 3-oz packages
  • Fresh Strawberries: 2 cups sliced - your beautiful topping
  • Boiling Water: 2 cups to mix the jello

Time To Create!

Build Your Base
Smash those pretzels into rough pieces - keep some chunks for texture! Stir with melted butter and sugar until mixed. Push firmly into a 9x13 dish and pop in the oven at 350°F for 10 minutes. Cool it down completely.
Whip Up The Middle
Mix your cream cheese with sugar till smooth as silk. Carefully fold Cool Whip into the mix - you want it fluffy! Spread this dreamy layer over your cooled base, making sure to touch all edges.
Get Your Jello Ready
Mix jello with hot water until clear, then cool to room temperature while staying liquid. Toss in your fresh strawberry pieces.
Add The Crowning Touch
When your jello mix feels cool but flows freely, gently pour it over the cream cheese fluff. Stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours - leaving it overnight works even better!

Why It's Called A Salad

Wondering about that weird "salad" name when it's obviously a sweet treat? It comes from those funny mid-century days when anything containing jello got the salad label. But with strawberries on top, maybe we can count it as fruit intake for the day - we'll keep that our little secret!

Nailing The Crust

Want to know what makes that base so good? Don't grind your pretzels too fine - leave some bigger bits for that awesome crunch. And press that mixture down hard into your pan. Nobody wants their crust falling apart!

Cool Whip Know-How

Though Cool Whip works great in this classic, homemade whipped cream can work too. Just beat it until it's really firm and stable. No matter what you pick, remember to spread that creamy layer all the way to the pan edges - this creates a barrier that stops jello from soaking into your crust.

Foolproof Technique

Take your time with this one! Each layer needs to cool fully before adding the next. And when you're adding that final jello mixture, pour it slowly over a spoon back - this trick stops the liquid from making holes in your beautiful cream cheese layer.

A glass dish filled with layers of whipped cream, strawberries, and pretzels, garnished with fresh strawberries on top. Pin it
A glass dish filled with layers of whipped cream, strawberries, and pretzels, garnished with fresh strawberries on top. | cookingkitchn.com

Stunning Presentation

This masterpiece must be thoroughly chilled before you dig in - give it 4 hours minimum, but overnight chilling works wonders. For picture-perfect portions, dip your knife in hot water between slices. And don't leave it sitting out too long - this treat needs to stay cold until the moment you serve it!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen berries?

Make sure they're completely thawed. Get rid of extra liquid. Dry them thoroughly. Fresh ones work better though. Still turns out yummy.

→ How much chilling time needed?

At least four hours. Overnight is even better. The jello must firm up. It's totally worth waiting. Keep refrigerated until serving.

→ Is baking the bottom necessary?

It helps everything stick together. Just ten minutes tops. Prevents crumbling apart. It's time well spent. Let it cool completely first.

→ Can I make this ahead?

The day before works great. Add the cream layer last. Stays fresh in the fridge. Make sure it's wrapped well. Freshly made is always nicest.

→ Can I replace cool whip?

Freshly whipped cream works fine. Just make it really stiff. Add a little sugar. Keep everything cold. Mix right before using.

→ Why is mine soggy?

You need to drain your fruit well. Dry all ingredients. Try using less jello. Allow each layer to set. Watch moisture levels.

→ Tips for transporting?

Keep it really cold. Use a container with tall sides. Drive very carefully. A cold pack helps tons. Maybe bring a backup dessert just in case.

→ Ways to speed it up?

The freezer briefly helps. Have everything prepped. Mix quickly. It still needs chilling though. The wait is definitely worth it.

→ Can I double the recipe?

Doubling works great. You'll need a larger dish. Give it more time to set. Keep everything cold. Makes plenty for a crowd.

→ How to make it sweeter?

Add more strawberries. Slowly include extra sugar. Sample as you make it. Too sweet can't be fixed. Finding the right balance matters.

→ Why isn't my crust solid?

Try baking it a bit more. Pack it tighter. Let it cool all the way. Try adding more butter. Press it down firmly first.

→ Why are my layers blending?

Each layer needs to set completely. Keep everything cold. Work very gently. Don't rush the process. Patience really matters here.

Conclusion

Enjoyed this? Maybe try a fruit parfait next time. Or whip up a strawberry cake. Both are great ways to use fresh fruit.

Sweet Salty Strawberry Treat

Had some strawberries turning mushy and leftover pretzels sitting around. Threw them together with cream and jello, brought it to the gathering. Everyone begged me for how to make it!

Prep Time
20 Minutes
Cook Time
10 Minutes
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Sophia

Category: Sweet Delights

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 12 Servings (Slices)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 6 oz package of strawberry Jell-O.
02 2 cups hot boiling water.
03 2 1/2 cups crunchy pretzels (count before smashing).
04 1/4 cup white sugar.
05 8 Tbsp plain butter.
06 8 oz block of cream cheese, room temperature.
07 1/2 cup white sugar.
08 8 oz tub Cool Whip, thawed overnight.
09 1 lb ripe strawberries, cut and tops removed.

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix the strawberry Jell-O with 2 cups of hot water. Keep stirring until everything's mixed up, then let it sit and cool down completely.

Step 02

Dump your pretzels in a strong Ziploc bag and smash them with a rolling pin until they're broken into small bits.

Step 03

Melt the butter in a pot over medium heat. Add 1/4 cup sugar and mix well. Toss in your smashed pretzels and stir until they're all coated.

Step 04

Dump the pretzel mix into a 13x9-inch glass dish and push it down flat to make your crust. Pop it in the hot oven for 10 minutes. Take it out and let it cool down completely.

Step 05

After your crust has cooled off, grab your mixer and whip up the cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar until it's light and fluffy.

Step 06

Mix the Cool Whip into your cream cheese gently until it's all blended. Spread this mix over your cooled pretzels, making sure you go right to the edges to seal everything in. Stick it in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Step 07

Cut the tops off your strawberries, slice them up, and mix them into your cooled Jell-O.

Step 08

Pour your strawberry Jell-O mix on top of the cream cheese part, making sure it's even. Chill it in the fridge until it sets up firm, about 2 to 4 hours.

Notes

  1. This treat brings together salty, sweet and smooth flavors that make it a crowd-pleaser at parties.
  2. The crunchy bottom layer makes an awesome contrast with the smooth middle and fruity top.

Tools You'll Need

  • Oven.
  • 13x9-inch glass casserole dish.
  • Medium saucepan.
  • Electric hand mixer.
  • Ziploc bag.
  • Rolling pin.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Dairy.
  • Gluten.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 338
  • Total Fat: ~
  • Total Carbohydrate: ~
  • Protein: ~