Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the perfect combination of sweet and salty, with a creamy layer of cream cheese and whipped topping sandwiched between layers of pretzels and strawberries.

This classic dessert has been a staple at family gatherings for generations, and it’s no wonder why – the flavors and textures just can’t be beat. This dessert is always a crowd pleaser.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This recipe is so easy that even beginner bakers can make it.
• You only need simple ingredients to help you make this sweet treat so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money at the grocery store.
• It’s great when made ahead so you can spend less time in the kitchen.

🛒Ingredients

You only need a few simple ingredients to help you make this delicious southern dessert recipe. Pick up these ingredients on your next trip to the grocery store so that you can enjoy this sweet treat.

For the crust:

• ground pretzels
• brown sugar
• melted butter

For the filling:

• cream cheese
• sugar
• strawberry extract
• heavy cream
• cool whip

Topping:

• fresh strawberries
• strawberry gelatin
• water
• ice water

See the recipe card below for quantities.

🔪 How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This is an overview of the steps needed to make this delicious dessert recipe. You can find the full instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make the crust by mixing the melted butter, brown sugar, and crushed pretzels in a food processor. Then press them into the bottom of a baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes and set aside to cool.

Then mix the cream cheese layer by mixing the filling ingredients in a large bowl. Once combined spread on top of the pretzel crust. Chill in the fridge for an hour.

Slice the strawberries and lay them in a single layer on top of the cream cheese mixture.

Then mix the gelatin and water until dissolved. Add the ice water and stir. The chill for 3-4 hours until set.

🥄 Equipment

This is a list of the equipment that you need to make this strawberry pretzel salad recipe.

• food processor
• 9×13 pan
• large mixing bowl
• electric mixer
• rubber spatula
• large bowl

🥫 Storage

Storage – Store the strawberry pretzel salad in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. If you don’t have a tight-fitting lid in your casserole dish you can also cover it with plastic wrap instead.

Serve With

This delicious dessert is great on its own or with a cup of coffee. However, you can also serve it with your favorite meal such as Dijon Grilled Chicken and this Tuscan Roasted Asparagus.

💭 Tips

Here are a few tips that you can use to help ensure that this recipe turns out perfectly for you when you make it.

• Make sure that your cream cheese is completely at room temperature before you start to make this dessert so you have a smooth filling.
• If you don’t have a food processor you can use a blender or a ziploc bag with a rolling pin to crush the pretzels.
• We used unsalted butter since the pretzels were already salted. However, you can use salted butter instead.

⁉️ FAQ

Do you have questions about this recipe? Here are the answers to the most commonly asked questions.

🍽 More Strawberry Recipes

Do you enjoy strawberry recipes? If so, try these delicious recipes:

• Strawberry Dragon Fruit Margarita
• Rhubarb Strawberry Bundt Cake
• Strawberry Angel Food Cake Dessert

🧾Recipe Card

Want to make this recipe? Print the recipe card below, or pin this recipe, so you can find it later.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is made with layers of buttery pretzel crust, sweet and creamy filling, and topped with a strawberry layer. It’s so tasty!

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Equipment

• Food processor
• 9×13 pan
• large mixing bowl
• Electric mixer
• Rubber spatula
• large bowl

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 2 cups ground pretzels
• ¼ cup brown sugar
• ¾ cup melted butter

For the filling:

• 12 ounces cream cheese softened
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon strawberry extract
• 2 tablespoons heavy cream
• 8 ounces cool whip

Topping:

• 1 pound fresh strawberries-sliced
• 6 ounces strawberry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 ½ cups ice water

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• In a food processor place the pretzels and pulse until you get fine crumbs.
• Add in the sugar and melted butter and pulse to combine.
• Press into the bottom of a 9” x 13” pan in an evenly layer and bake for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar, strawberry extract and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
• Using a spatula, fold in the cool whip until fully incorporated.
• Spread the filling in an even layer over the cooled crust and place in the refrigerator for about an hour to set.
• Once the cheesecake layer has chilled, lay the sliced strawberries over the entire top of the filling.
• In a large bowl, mix the jello and boiling water and stir to make sure the jello has fully dissolved. Once it’s dissolved, add the ice water and stir until it brings the temperature of the jello down.
• Carefully pour the jello over the top of the strawberry layer and return the pan to the refrigerator to allow the jello to set, about 3-4 hours. Once the jello is firm, slice into bars and serve.

Notes

Any nutritional data I provide is an approximation and actual dietary information can vary based on ingredients and proportion sizes.