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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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This classic Midwest Jello dessert features a salty-sweet pretzel crust, fluffy cream cheese layer, and a fresh strawberry Jello topping. It’s easy to make, perfect for potlucks, and always a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups salted pretzels, finely crushed
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 8 oz whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
  • 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (optional)
  • 1 box (6 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin (Jello)
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (or thawed frozen strawberries, drained)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. Crush pretzels into fine crumbs using a food processor or by placing them in a zip-top bag and crushing with a rolling pin.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix pretzel crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar until combined. Press mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared baking dish.
  4. Bake crust for 10 minutes. Let cool completely (about 20 minutes).
  5. In a clean bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add vanilla extract if using.
  6. Gently fold in whipped topping until no streaks remain. Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cooled pretzel crust, sealing to the edges. Chill in the fridge.
  7. In a large bowl, dissolve strawberry gelatin in boiling water, stirring for 2 minutes until fully dissolved. Let cool to room temperature (15-20 minutes).
  8. Stir sliced strawberries into cooled gelatin.
  9. Carefully pour strawberry Jello mixture over the chilled cream cheese layer, spreading berries evenly.
  10. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
  11. Cut into squares with a sharp knife, wiping the knife between cuts for neat slices. Serve cold.

Notes

For gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels. For dairy-free, use plant-based cream cheese and coconut whipped topping. Homemade whipped cream can replace whipped topping (whip 1 cup heavy cream with 2 tbsp sugar). Let each layer cool/set before adding the next to prevent mixing. Chill thoroughly for clean slices. Variations include using other berries or Jello flavors.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry pretzel salad, jello dessert, potluck dessert, summer dessert, easy dessert, classic dessert, Midwest dessert, strawberry jello, cream cheese dessert, layered dessert

Find it online: https://pokirecipes.com/strawberry-pretzel-salad-recipe-easy-classic-jello-dessert-youll-love/