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    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    Strawberry Pretzel Salad

    Published: February 15, 2023 · Updated: February 15, 2023 · By: Krissy · 6 Comments
    This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    the best strawberry pretzel dessert recipe

    Strawberry Pretzel Dessert, also known as a strawberry pretzel salad recipe, is the ultimate summer dessert. My family requests this nostalgic recipe every year.

    This tasty treat consists of a buttery pretzel crust, a no bake cheesecake layer, and is topped with fresh strawberries set in strawberry Jello.

    the best homemade strawberry pretzel dessert recipe with real whipped cream.

    Why I love this recipe:

    • Family favorite, especially during strawberry season
    • Sweet and salty dessert
    • Perfect for potlucks or birthday parties
    • Delicious make-ahead dessert
    • Made with real whipped cream (without cool whip)

    Ingredients needed to make strawberry pretzel salad

    The exact quantities are listed in the recipe card below, but here is a list of ingredients for your grocery list.

    • Crunchy pretzel crust: crushed pretzels, melted butter, and a bit of sugar. The combination of sweet and salty is what every dessert needs and the crunch this layer adds plays nicely with the top two layers.
    • Cream layer: cream cheese, sugar, and stabilized whipped cream. This is my homemade version of Cool Whip.
    • Strawberry Jello layer: Fresh strawberry slices set in strawberry Jello.
    ingredients needed to make strawberry pretzel dessert.

    How to make strawberry pretzel dessert

    Because there are three layers, this recipe is made in three different steps.

    Make the salty pretzel crust

    Crush the pretzels into small pieces. Do this by placing them in a large ziploc bag and crushing them by hand with a rolling pin or potato masher. Alternatively, you can pulse them in a food processor.

    Then you will stir together the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Press the mixture into the bottom of a baking dish. Bake the pretzel layer for 8-10 minutes and then set it on a wire rack to cool.

    adding sugar and melted butter to pretzel pieces.
    mix pretzels, butter, sugar
    baked crushed pretzels in baking dish.
    spread into greased dish
    crushed pretzels in baking dish.
    bake 8-10 minutes

    Make the creamy filling layer

    In a large bowl using an electric mixer, cream together the room temperature cream cheese and one cup sugar. Fold the stabilized whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture. 

    Spread the mixture in an even layer onto the fully cooled pretzel crust. To avoid a soggy crust, be sure the creamy layer reaches all edges of the pan to make a full seal, thus preventing the strawberry layer from getting to the pretzel layer. 

    Set it in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.

    cream cheese and sugar in bowl.
    combine cream cheese and sugar
    whipped cream cheese and sugar in bowl.
    mix until smooth
    adding stabilized whipped cream to cream cheese and sugar mixture.
    fold in whipped cream
    mixing whipped cream and cream cheese with sugar for strawberry pretzel dessert.
    stir well to combine
    spreading cream layer on pretzel layer for strawberry pretzel salad.
    add to cooled crust
    spreading cream layer on pretzel layer for strawberry pretzel salad.
    spread to even layer

    Mix the strawberry topping layer

    While the cream layer is chilling in the refrigerator, dissolve the strawberry Jello in boiling water. Allow the strawberry gelatin mixture to cool until the mixture is about the consistency of egg whites. You want it to cool to the point where it begins to thicken but you can still easily stir in the fresh sliced strawberries. Spread the strawberry mixture over the rich cream cheese layer. 

    Refrigerate until set, usually about 4-6 hours.

    mixing strawberry jello with boiling water.
    mix Jello with boiling water
    sliced strawberries in strawberry jello.
    add sliced strawberries
    sliced strawberries in strawberry jello.
    set on top of cream layer

    Strawberry pretzel dessert recipe FAQs

    What's the best method of storage?

    Cover this perfect dessert with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated until you're ready to eat it.

    Can you make pretzel salad dessert with other fresh fruits?

    Pretzel salad can definitely be made with other fruits, but fresh berries are the best choice. I've made this exact recipe with fresh raspberries and raspberry Jello and it was a huge hit!

    Can you use frozen berries?

    Fresh sweet strawberries work best, but frozen berries will work.

    top down view of strawberry pretzel salad.

    Strawberry dessert recipe recommendations

    Love Strawberry Dessert Recipes? You will have to try these favorites:

    • Strawberry Pie
    • Strawberry Rhubarb Pie
    • Classic Strawberry Shortcake
    • Old Fashioned Strawberry Ice Cream
    • Strawberry Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Strawberry Marshmallows
    • Strawberry Shortcake Poke Cake
    • Strawberry Lemonade Baked Donuts
    • Coconut Berry Icebox Cake
    close up of homemade strawberry pretzel dessert.

    If you’ve made this or any other recipe on my site, let me know in the comment section how it turned out. I love hearing from my readers!

    You can also follow along on PINTEREST, FACEBOOK and INSTAGRAM to see more amazing recipes to satisfy any foodie craving!

    Full Recipe Instructions

    strawberry pretzel dessert on plate.

    Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

    Strawberry Pretzel Dessert is the ultimate summer dessert, especially when you're looking for something sweet to take to potlucks! This tasty treat consists of a sweet pretzel crust, topped by a creamy layer, and finished off with a layer of fresh strawberries set in strawberry jello.
    5 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved! Add to Collection Go to Collections
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes
    time for chiling and Jello to set: 1 hour hour
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 30 minutes minutes
    Scale: 12
    Recipe Created By: Krissy Allori

    Kitchen Tools

    • 9x13-inch baking dish
    • parchment paper
    • Mixing Bowls

    Ingredients

    Pretzel crust:

    • 2 ½ cups pretzels (crushed or broken into small pieces)
    • ¾ cup butter (unsalted, melted)
    • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar

    Middle cream layer:

    • 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
    • 1 cup granulated sugar
    • 3 cups stabilized whipped cream (see note)

    Top strawberry layer:

    • 6 ounces strawberry jello (2 (3 ounce) packages)
    • 2 cups boiling water
    • 3 cups strawberries (sliced)

    Instructions

    • Preheat oven to 400°F. Grease or parchment line a 9x13 baking dish.

    Make the pretzel crust layer:

    • Stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar. Mix well and press mixture into bottom of prepared 9x13-inch baking dish. Bake 8-10 minutes, until set. Set aside to cool.

    Make creamy middle layer:

    • While the pretzel crust is cooling, make the cream layer filling. In a large mixing bowl cream together cream cheese and white sugar. Fold in the stabilized whipped cream. Spread mixture onto fully cooled crust. To avoid a soggy crust, just be sure the creamy layer reaches all edges of the pan. Set in refrigerator for at least 15 minutes.
      Strawberry Pretzel Salad pretzel crust with whipped topping

    Make the strawberry layer:

    • While the cream layer is chilling in the refrigerator, dissolve the strawberry Jello in boiling water. Allow cooling until the mixture is about the consistency of egg whites. Stir in sliced strawberries and spread over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until set.
      Strawberry Pretzel Salad with fresh strawberries

    Notes

    Stabilized whipped cream is just homemade whipped cream with dissolved unflavored gelatin mixed in. It's easy to make and works wonderfully in this recipe.
    If you don't have unflavored gelatin, you have two options:
    1. Use regular homemade whipped cream (without the gelatin). It just won't hold its shape as well.
    2. Use Cool Whip instead of homemade stabilized whipped cream. I'm personally not a fan, but it's what other recipes use.

    NUTRITION INFORMATION

    Calories: 409kcal | Carbohydrates: 51g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 62mg | Sodium: 440mg | Potassium: 129mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 715IU | Vitamin C: 21.2mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1.1mg
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    This recipe was originally published in May 2018 and has been updated with helpful information, ingredient and process photos, as well as recipe tips. Don't worry - the recipe hasn't changed!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Brooke Michelle

      May 20, 2023 at 9:00 am

      5 stars
      Sounds super fun and easy

      Reply
    2. Heidy L. McCallum

      May 29, 2019 at 2:05 pm

      5 stars
      I love this recipe my mom has been making it forever and a day and every time she does we do just what your friend said---gobble it up. Thanks for bringing a smile to my face with a sweet memory.

      Reply
    3. Deanne

      May 29, 2019 at 2:02 pm

      5 stars
      Our family LOVES this recipe! Everyone looks for it at picnics and potlucks!

      Reply
    4. Lisa

      May 29, 2019 at 1:53 pm

      5 stars
      This dessert looks so divine! Now I just need to find a GF option to replace the pretzels. I maytry an almond crust... hmmm either way I can't wait to eat it! 😉

      Reply
    5. Kelly Anthony

      May 29, 2019 at 1:42 pm

      5 stars
      What a cool and refreshing summer dessert to take to my next potluck gathering. Thanks for sharing.

      Reply
    6. Sara Welch

      May 29, 2019 at 1:02 pm

      5 stars
      This was not only easy, but incredibly tasty, as well! Made the best dessert after dinner last night! I will definitely be making this again!

      Reply

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