This Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe is a sweet and salty family favorite, perfect for all types of get-togethers. The crunchy pretzel crust is topped with cream cheese filling and strawberry jello making for an easy classic summer dessert.
Old fashioned pretzel jello recipes are great because they are delicious, but also because they couldn't be easier to make. This makes them perfect for bringing to potlucks or parties. If you love dessert salads, you can also try our easy Frog Eye Salad recipe. And if you love jello recipes, you'll love our layered jello recipe. It's so cute and festive.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Once summer rolls around, this super nostalgic Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is one of my family’s favorite desserts. Texturally, Strawberry Pretzel Salad is perfection. It’s part no-bake cheesecake, part fresh fruit gelatin, all set on top of a salty-sweet crust. This classic recipe is perfect for potlucks, birthday celebrations, and other weekend get-togethers.
If you’ve never tried it, do not be turned off by the name alone. There is nothing that resembles a salad in this recipe and most likely originated in The Joys of Jell-o cookbook from the 1960s. Serve as is, or top with more fresh berries and homemade whipped cream. You can easily substitute any of your other favorite Jello flavors, too— raspberry works great.
Key Ingredients
- Pretzels - for best results, use small salted pretzels sticks or twists.
- Sugar - the pretzel crust layer calls for white granulated sugar.
- Butter - you’ll need to melt the butter either in the microwave or in a small saucepan.
- Strawberry Jello - this recipe calls for a 6-oz box. Be sure and follow our directions and not the directions on the side of the box.
- Boiling Water - this is used to pour over the jello powder to make the jello layer.
- Fresh Strawberries - be sure to wash, hull and then slice your fresh strawberries. Frozen strawberries will also work, but you'll need to thaw them and drain the liquid before adding to the jello.
- Cream Cheese - this needs to be soft, so either pull out to room temperature an hour or so before you plan to use it or transfer to a microwave safe container and heat for about 10 seconds at a time just until softened.
- Powdered Sugar - this is added into the cream cheese layer.
- Cool Whip - be sure and thaw this in the fridge before using. Cool Whip works better than whipped cream because it has a lower moisture content, therefore making the pretzel crust less soggy.
- Vanilla Extract - pure vanilla extract tastes best.
How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Make the pretzel crust. Place pretzels in a freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin. Transfer to a large bowl, then combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter and sugar. Mix well. Press into the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish, then bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove from the oven and let cool completely to room temperature.
- Make the cream cheese layer. In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. With a handheld mixer, beat until light and fluffy. Fold in the thawed Cool Whip using a rubber spatula until well combined.
- Spread over the cooled pretzels. Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture over the pretzel layer. Make sure to spread the cream cheese filling all the way to the edges of the pan as it will help hold the jello in place. Cool in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
- Make the strawberry jello. Boil 2 cups of water then remove from heat. Put the jello powder into a large bowl and stir in the boiling water until the jello is fully dissolved. Let the mixture cool completely to room temperature.
- Pour over the top and chill. Meanwhile, arrange the strawberry slices evenly over the cream cheese layer. Once the jello has cooled completely, pour it over the strawberries. Place the pretzel salad dessert in the fridge and cool until the jello is set, or about 2-4 hours.
- Serve. Once the pretzel salad has set completely, slice into 12-15 squares. Serve cold, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, if desired. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries. Just be sure and thaw them, then drain the extra liquid before combining with the strawberry jello. Otherwise, the mixture will have too much liquid and won’t set properly.
You can, and you must! Since this takes between 2-4 hours to set fully, you’ll need to make this either the night before or the morning before you plan to serve.
As long as it’s covered and stored in a cold refrigerator, your pretzel salad should last for up to 2-3 days.
No, this recipe does not freeze well. The jello because very loose and watery once it thaws making the pretzel layer soggy.
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerator: store wrapped in plastic in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Make-ahead: because the Jello needs to set up for around 3 hours, this can easily be made early in the day or even the night before.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- 2 ½ cups Pretzels about 2 cups crushed
- ¼ cup Sugar
- ½ cup Butter melted
Strawberry Jello Layer
- 1 6-oz box Strawberry Jello
- 2 cups Boiling Water
- 1 pound Strawberries sliced
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
- ½ cup Powdered Sugar
- 8 oz Cool Whip thawed
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Additional Toppings
- Strawberries
- Whipped Topping
Instructions
Pretzel Crust
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Place pretzels in a freezer bag and crush with a rolling pin. Transfer to a large bowl, then combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter and sugar. Mix well.
- Press into the bottom of a 9" x 13" baking dish, then bake 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely to room temperature.
Cream Cheese Layer
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the room temperature cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. With a handheld mixer, beat until light and fluffy. Fold in the thawed Cool Whip using a rubber spatula until well combined.
- Using an offset spatula, spread the cream cheese mixture over the pretzel layer. Make sure to spread the cream cheese filling all the way to the edges of the pan as it will help hold the jello in place. Cool in the fridge for about 30 minutes.
Strawberry Topping
- Boil 2 cups of water then remove from heat. Put the jello powder into a large bowl and stir in the boiling water until the jello is fully dissolved. Let the mixture cool completely to room temperature.
- Meanwhile, arrange the strawberry slices evenly over the cream cheese layer. Once the jello has cooled completely, pour it over the strawberries. Place the pretzel salad dessert in the fridge and cool until the jello is set, or about 2-4 hours.
- Once the pretzel salad has set completely, slice into 12-15 squares. Serve cold, topped with whipped cream and fresh strawberries, if desired. Enjoy!
Nutrition
More of the Best No Bake Dessert Recipes
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- No-Bake Mini Cheesecakes
- Cherry Cheesecake Dip
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More Strawberry Recipes
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- Best Strawberry French Toast Bake
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This Strawberry Jello Salad recipe is a super nostalgic, sweet and salty, texturally perfect dessert for any occasion. It's got a crunchy pretzel crust topped with cream cheese filling and strawberry gelatin with real fresh strawberries.
Jenn
These strawberry pretzel salad bars are so pretty and flavorful! Thanks so much for the recipe!
Ashley
This is such a classic recipe that comes out great every time. Thanks so much!