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Close up of strawberry pretzel salad recipe showing creamy white filling and red fruit

Classic Strawberry Pretzel Salad

5 from 1 vote
Aliana Recipes
This nostalgic dessert features a salty pretzel crust, a rich cream cheese layer, and a sweet strawberry Jell-O topping. It offers the perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, salty, and sweet textures.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 40 minutes
Servings:12 people
Course:Dessert
Cuisine:American
Calories:320kcal
Cost:$12
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 2 ½ cups salted pretzels Measured before crushing
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted Binds the crust
  • 3 tablespoon granulated sugar For the crust
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened Room temperature
  • ½ cup granulated sugar Sweetens the filling
  • 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed Do not freeze
  • 6 oz strawberry Jell-O mix Large box size
  • 2 cups boiling water Dissolves the gelatin
  • 16 oz fresh strawberries, sliced Hulled and cleaned

Equipment

  • 1 9x13 Baking dish Glass is best to see layers
  • 1 Hand mixer For beating cream cheese
  • 1 Rolling Pin For crushing pretzels
  • 1 Whisk For dissolving Jell-O
  • 1 Spatula For spreading layers

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and crush the pretzels into small, coarse pieces using a rolling pin.
  2. Mix the crushed pretzels with melted butter and 3 tablespoons of sugar, then press firmly into a 9x13 baking dish.
  3. Bake the crust for 10 minutes and allow it to cool completely to room temperature.
  4. Beat the softened cream cheese and ½ cup sugar until fluffy, then fold in the Cool Whip until no white streaks remain.
  5. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, sealing the edges perfectly against the pan to block leaks.
  6. Dissolve the Jell-O mix in boiling water in a bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
  7. Arrange the sliced strawberries over the cream cheese layer and gently pour the cooled liquid Jell-O over the top.
  8. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours until the gelatin layer is firm and set.

Nutrition

Serving: 200g (1 square)Calories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 4gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 380mgPotassium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 25mgCalcium: 40mgIron: 1mg

Notes

Ensure the cream cheese layer creates a complete seal against the edges of the dish before adding the Jell-O; this prevents the liquid from soaking into the crust.