Strawberry pretzel salad isn’t really a salad at all; it’s an easy make-ahead dessert recipe. This dessert has a salty-sweet pretzel crust, fluffy cream cheese filling, and a fresh strawberry Jell-O topping. Crisp, creamy, and crowd-pleasing in every bite.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad Ingredients
- Pretzels: Use either mini pretzel twists or pretzel sticks and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Cream Cheese: Use a block of cream cheese, not the spreadable tub. Full fat cream cheese sets the best.
- Whipped Topping: I use whipped topping (such as Cool Whip) in this recipe to keep it easy; however, you can use whipped cream if you’d prefer.
- Fresh Strawberries: For the best flavor and prettiest dessert, use fresh sliced strawberries. If using frozen strawberries, add them to the hot Jell-O once it’s mixed (no need to thaw first).
- Strawberry Gelatin: The strawberry Jell-O layer is easy and a pretty topping on this recipe. You can use any flavor of red Jell-O (like raspberry). Ensure you use the larger 6-serving-sized box.
Variations
This recipe can be made with other varieties of fruit and Jell-O. Try the following:
- raspberries and raspberry Jell-O
- canned mandarin oranges or peaches and orange Jell-O
How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Crust: Combine the crust ingredients and press into the bottom of a baking dish (full recipe below).
- Creamy Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar, and stir in whipped topping. Spread over the pretzel layer and refrigerate until firm.
- Strawberry Topping: Combine strawberry Jell-O and water with strawberries and pour over the creamy layer.
- Refrigerate overnight: When ready to enjoy, cut into squares and serve!
Tips for a Perfect Dessert
- Cool layers: Allow each layer to cool/chill before adding the next layer.
- Protect the crust: Spread the cream cheese layer all the way to the edge to prevent the pretzel crust from becoming soggy.
- Cool Jello: Allow the Jell-O to cool to room temperature before pouring on the fresh strawberries so the heat doesn’t wilt them.
To Make Pretzel Salad Ahead of Time
- Strawberry pretzel salad is best when made at least half a day in advance (making it a great dessert or potluck dish).
- It needs a minimum of 4 hours to set up, or preferably longer. It will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator.
- This dessert does not freeze well.
More Sweet Salads
Did you make this Strawberry Pretzel Salad? Leave a comment and rating below.
Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ¾ cup unsalted butter melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Cream Cheese Filling
- 1 (8 ounces) block cream cheese softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounces whipped topping such a Cool Whip, thawed
Strawberry Topping
- 6 ounces Strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl and press into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until fluffy. Gently fold in Cool Whip with a spatula. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pretzel crust and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- While the cream cheese mixture is cooling, whisk Jell-O and 2 cups of boiling water until the Jell-O is completely dissolved. Allow mixture to sit at room temperature until completely cooled.
- Place the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese mixture. Pour cooled Jell-O overtop.
- Refrigerate until firmly set, at least 4-6 hours or overnight. Cut into squares and serve.
Video
Notes
Do not follow the instructions on the Jell-o box. Ensure the Jell-o is the larger 6 oz size box.
The pretzels are crushed first and then measured. Use a food processor or a rolling pin to crush the pretzels.
Nutrition Information
Calories: 244 | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 274mg | Potassium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 22g | Vitamin A: 360IU | Vitamin C: 28.2mg | Calcium: 15mg | Iron: 0.9mg
Nutrition information provided is an estimate and will vary based on cooking methods and brands of ingredients used.
Course Dessert, Salad, Side Dish
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Made this today and it turned out really good! Going to try it with mandarin oranges next time
I seen a recipe for strawberry pretzel salad that had frozen strawberries, jello, white cake mix,whipped cream cheese, water but I can’t find it now??? I have the ingredients but not I can’t find my recipe???? HELP
You can use frozen strawberries if you can’t find fresh (defrost and drain first). Enjoy Debbie!
I made it once, it’s delicious and everyone liked it, but it didn’t hold up well. The jello & strawberry layer kept sliding off the cheese layer.
I have 2 tips for you! 1: When you spread your cream cheese layer, leave it slightly spikey to help hold the Jello securely in place. 2: Don’t add the extra 2 cups of cold water that the box instructions show – this will make the layer firmer and keep it from sliding! Hope this helps you out next time! ~Cheree~ :)
Instead of using pretzels for the crust I use Graham crackers. I don’t like pretzels.
My jello was on top when I put it in the fridge but it sunk to the bottom over night. I made sure my cream touched the sides. I used sugar free jello. Why would this happen? I would like to try again.
Oh no, how disappointing. I can’t say for sure as this hasn’t happened to me. I would think that the sugar-free would be ok but I haven’t tried it.
Do you measure the pretzels before you crush them? I made this before and it was a hit but I wasn’t sure about pretzel measurements
In this recipe, the pretzels are crushed and then measured.
Can you make the top look lurks and American flags then pour jello over ur?
That’s such a fun idea but I haven’t tried it. Let us know how it goes!
You could use blueberries for the stars and strawberries in lines for the stripes, then put a clear sweetened gelatin over the top! Or you could do your Jello layer over the cream cheese layer, then spread a layer of cool whip, then layer the fruit on top! Hope this helps out the next time you make it! ~Cheree~ :)
There are only 2 of us. Do you think if I cut the recipe in half it would be okay?
That should work well Cindi!
Made this for the first time and it was so delicious!!! Followed the directions and it turned out great
We love this recipe, my mom would make this all the time, but we remember the Pretzel crust being more stuck together.
We crunched up pretzels really fine this time and added the 3/4 c butter, the sugar. But they weren’t stuck together. Should we add more butter next time?
I have the same issue. Would love In-N-Out from others. Thanks
Followed the directions exactly. It tasted good, but the layers didn’t stick to each other and it just fell apart when I served it. Disappointing.
How do I get the pretzel crust not to stick to the pan ever time I make this dessert it take amazing but the crust sticks at the bottom
We haven’t had any issues with our crust sticking but you could try greasing the bottom of the pan to prevent that Blanca.
Try lining your dish with parchment paper and, in addition you could also spray the parchment paper with cooking spray. Hope this helps next time you make it! ~Cheree~ :)
Anxious to try it
So I was too impatient and didn’t let my crust cool 100% before putting the cream cheese layer on top. It’s in the fridge now, should it still be ok if I didn’t let the crust cool 100%.
It should be fine Kate, it just may take a little longer to cool the cream cheese layer.
Can you use frozen strawberries?
You can use frozen strawberries, just defrost and drain first. Enjoy Norine!
Do you add the cold water to the gelatin and boiling water mixture before pouring over the cream cheese layer??
Hi Courtney, for this recipe we actually don’t add cold water to the gelatin. It is just the Jell-O packet and boiling water that are combined and left to cool completely before pouring over the sliced strawberries and cream cheese mixture.
The recipe calls for 6oz of jello. A regular box size of jello is .32oz so how many boxes of jello do you use? Since it says two cups of water I am assuming 2 boxes.
A 4 serving size box of jello is 3 oz so you would need two boxes. If you choose an 8 serving size, it will be 1 box. The .3 oz is the sugar-free version from what I can see and I have not tried it in this recipe but you would need the equivalent of 8 servings. I can’t say for sure how sugar-free works in this recipe.
I made this alot when my daughter was growing up. This year instead of going to her husband’s family Christmas Eve party..she wanted to come to my house with my 4 grandkids too…it really touched my heart when she requested I make this dessert as her and I both live cheescake! It really is true love can be put into your dishes♡♡also 1st time I used FRESH strawberries..and I recommend fresh over frozen..not so mushie!
Delicious! Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Can’t wait to make
Let us know what you think of it Vera!
Do you think this would freeze well for a short period of time or would the Jell-O layer get weird?
We have not attempted freezing this recipe, but I think you are right Nicole. I don’t think this would be a good recipe for the freezer.
I love your recipes
Thanks Theresa!