Description
This Old Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a classic dessert with a delicious combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and fruity layers. A buttery pretzel crust topped with a smooth cream cheese mixture and finished with a refreshing strawberry Jello layer loaded with fresh strawberries. Perfect for potlucks, brunches, and family gatherings!
Ingredients
Pretzel Crust:
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2.5 cups crushed pretzels
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3 tbsp granulated sugar
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1.5 tbsp cinnamon (optional)
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3/4 cup butter, melted
Cream Cheese Layer:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
Strawberry Layer:
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1.5 cups boiling water
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6 oz strawberry Jello (two 3 oz packages)
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1.5 cups cold water
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2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced (or 10 oz frozen strawberries, thawed)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Crush pretzels into coarse crumbs and mix with sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter.
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Press mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 8–10 minutes. Let cool completely.
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In a bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip.
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Spread mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring it reaches the edges. Chill for 1 hour.
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Dissolve Jello in boiling water, then add cold water and strawberries. Let cool slightly.
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Pour Jello mixture over the chilled cream cheese layer.
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Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight until fully set.
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Cut into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- For best results, let the dessert chill overnight.
- Ensure the cream cheese layer reaches the edges to prevent Jello from seeping into the crust.
- Substitute gluten-free pretzels to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking and Chilling
- Cuisine: American