Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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Who doesn’t love a good summer salad? I know that when the weather gets hot, we all want to eat something cool and refreshing. If you’re looking for a tasty treat that will wow your family and friends, then this recipe is the one for you. 

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

What is strawberry pretzel salad?

Strawberry pretzel salad is a Southern dessert specialty that combines strawberries, crunchy pretzels, and cream cheese whipped topping. This recipe is a great way to use up some of the strawberries that are in season now!

Even though the name has the word salad (probably because of the fruit and Jell-O salad-like combination), this Southern treat is actually a dessert. And all it takes are a few ingredients, including fresh strawberries, salted pretzels, whipped cream cheese, butter, and sugar, to make it.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe Jelll-O

Strawberry pretzel salad is both sweet and savory all at once! 

The strawberries give the salad a sweet flavor, while the cream cheese gives it a rich taste. The baked crust made from crushed pretzels coated in butter adds a crunchy texture with a hint of tart from the salt on the pretzels to compliment the cream cheese topping.

This delicious dish can be easily made with pantry ingredients in no time at all. There are so many ways to customize it. For example, if you don’t like strawberries, feel free to add your favorite fruit and Jell-O. 

Southern old fashioned strawberry pretzel salad

When it’s time to celebrate the return of summer, no dessert can deliver a more timeless combination of flavors than strawberry pretzel salad. 

Yes, this dessert salad is incredibly flavorful, and it’s also easy to make!

The salty-sweet combination of pretzels with strawberries is perfect for any occasion! 

mix pretzels, butter and sugar

Ingredients for Strawberry pretzel salad

  • 2 3⁄4 cups of crushed pretzels divided – 2 ½ cups & ¼ cup
  • 3⁄4 cup of melted butter 
  • 4 ½ tablespoons of granulated sugar 
  • 1 cup of granulated sugar 
  • 16 oz. of cream cheese (two 8 oz. packages), softened – I prefer to use whipped cream cheese
  • 8 oz. whipped topping, thawed 
  • 3 oz. package of strawberry Jell-O 
  • 2 cups of boiling water 
  • 16 oz. of fresh or frozen strawberries 
crushing pretzels in a bag

Instructions for Southern strawberry pretzel dessert

  1. In a zipper sealed bag, crush the 2 ½ cups of pretzels. (I used my spoon rest HERE to crush them; a rolling pin also works well. Reserve the other ¼ cup of crushed pretzels to sprinkle on top of the finished dish.)
  2. Stir together the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 4 ½ tablespoons of
  3. sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl. 
  4. Mix well, and then press the mixture into the bottom of a 9″×13″ baking dish. 
  5. Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes in the conventional oven (5-6 minutes in the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven) until the pretzel crust is lightly toasted. 
  6. Set the toasted pretzels aside to cool completely. 
  7. In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar until smooth. 
  8. Once mixed, fold in the thawed whipped topping. 
  9. Spread the mixture onto the cooled pretzel crust. 
  10. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. 
  11. While the pretzel crust and cream cheese filling are in the refrigerator, Pour the boiling water into a mixing bowl. 
  12. Add the Jell-O to the boiling water and stir in until dissolved. 
  13. Stir in frozen strawberries and allow to sit until the strawberries thaw (if using frozen strawberries). 
  14. Add the strawberry topping on top of the chilled cream cheese layer. 
  15. Refrigerate for 1 hour. 
  16. After an hour, sprinkle the ¼ cup of pretzel reserve on top of the chilled strawberry layer. 
  17. It’s best to eat strawberry pretzel salad within 48 hours, as the pretzel crust will begin to soften. 
  18. Serve and enjoy!
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

What to serve with strawberry pretzel salad?

The best thing about strawberry pretzel salad is that it’s one of those dishes you can serve year-round. 

But what do you serve with it?

The answer to this question depends on the season, occasion, and personal preference. 

I like to go for a lighter dish in the springtime, such as fresh fruit or veggie sticks. For summer parties, though, I love going heavier with grilled chicken skewers or even a hearty summer salad

You can go with something sweet like brownies, or you can also go with something salty and savory such as crackers

Strawberry pretzel salad is perfect for sharing with friends in the summer at BBQs and holiday gatherings. 

Strawberry pretzel salad tips & tricks

Strawberry pretzel salad pro tips

  • A parchment paper sling makes it easy to pull out the salad from the baking dish once it’s cooled.
  • Use cream cheese at room temperature, as it will whip together quicker than cold cream cheese. I also suggest using whipped cream cheese.
  • Make sure each layer is cool/chilled before adding a new one.
  • Spread the cream cheese layer right up to the edge of the pretzel crust to prevent it from becoming soggy.
  • Before you pour the Jell-O over the strawberries, make sure it’s room temperature to prevent the strawberries from being wilted by heat.
cover and chill dessert

Can you make strawberry pretzel salad the night before?

Yes! It’s possible to make strawberry pretzel salad the night before:

One of the most important things to note about making strawberry pretzel salad ahead of time is that you need to make sure it’s completely cooled before refrigerating. 

This will help prevent spoilage from occurring due to bacteria growth in warmer foods.

When storing in a container for later use, ensure it has an airtight seal so no additional oxygen gets inside the serving dish.

Can you use frozen strawberries in strawberry pretzel salad?

Can you use frozen strawberries instead of fresh ones?

Strawberry pretzel salad is an old favorite in the food world, but can you use frozen strawberries in it? 

The answer is yes! Frozen berries are just as tasty and will add a nice bright color to your salad. 

However, frozen strawberries become softer and mushier when thawed and do not slice well.

Frozen strawberries make for a great substitute when fresh berries are out of season or too expensive, and most important, frozen strawberries will not change the flavor or consistency of this dish.

Strawberry pretzel salad, strawberry pretzel dessert, pretzel Jell-O salad or strawberry pretzel pie?

Is it called Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Strawberry Pretzel Dessert, Jell-O Pretzel Salad or Strawberry Pretzel Pie?

The answer is all of the above! 

You can enjoy this delicious treat in more than one way, depending on your mood!

If you love both sweet and salty flavors as much as I do, then this dish will be perfect for your taste buds! 

However, if you want something sweet after dinner instead, try serving this salad with ice cream for dessert.

Can you make this with fresh peaches and peach Jell-O?

Yes, you can! This recipe is so easy. It tastes incredible because it can have all of the flavors people love in the summertime: peaches, pretzels, and Jell-O!

Can you store strawberry pretzel salad?

While you can keep this dish in the refrigerator for up to two days, it won’t remain fresh forever. Sadly, the longer you refrigerate it, the soggier it will become.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad with Jell-O

Can you omit the strawberries and go with the strawberry Jell-O?

The recipe for a strawberry pretzel salad usually includes strawberries. But what if you don’t like them? Can you omit the strawberries and just go with the strawberry Jell-O in strawberry pretzel salad? 

Yes, of course! This recipe is perfect for enjoying the same taste as the classic without those pesky berries!

Pretzels for Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Which pretzels make the best Jell-O pretzels?

The saltiness of the dish is mainly due to the salted pretzels. Pretzels that are hard and small crush best and are easier to measure.

Strawberry pretzel salad is a great summer recipe that will be the perfect addition to any barbecue, picnic, or cookout. 

This strawberry pretzel salad will be your new favorite dessert, and it’s so easy to make!

What do you think about this Southern desserts recipe?

If you like this recipe, then you’ll love this best Southern desserts recipe roundup HERE.

Leave a 5-star rating and a comment below, and share your finished dessert pictures HERE in the Facebook group!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe Jelll-O

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry pretzel salad combines strawberries with crunchy pretzels and cream cheese whipped topping.
This Southern dessert is a great way to use up some of the strawberries that are in season now! 
Prep Time: 1 hour
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Cooling/Chilling Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert, Salad
Cuisine: American, Southern Food
Servings: 8
Calories: 557kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups pretzels crushed & divided – 2 ½ cups & ¼ cup
  • 3/4 cup butter melted
  • 4 ½ tablespoons sugar granulated
  • 1 cup sugar granulated
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened (I prefer to use whipped cream cheese)
  • 8 oz whipped topping thawed
  • 3 oz strawberry Jell-O
  • 2 cups water boiling
  • 16 oz strawberries fresh or frozen

Instructions

  • In a zipper sealed bag, crush the 2 ½ cups of pretzels. (I used my spoon rest to crush them; a rolling pin also works well. Reserve the other ¼ cup of crushed pretzels to sprinkle on top of the finished dish.)
  • Stir together the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 4 ½ tablespoons of
  • sugar in a medium-size mixing bowl.
  • Mix well, and then press the mixture into the bottom of a 9″×13″ baking dish.
  • Bake at 350 degrees F for 8-10 minutes in the conventional oven (5-6 minutes in the Instant Pot Omni Plus oven) until the pretzel crust is lightly toasted.
  • Set the toasted pretzels aside to cool completely.
  • In a large mixing bowl, mix the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar until smooth.
  • Once mixed, fold in the thawed whipped topping.
  • Spread the mixture onto the cooled pretzel crust.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
  • While the pretzel crust and cream cheese filling are in the refrigerator, Pour the boiling water into a mixing bowl.
  • Add the Jell-O to the boiling water and stir in until dissolved.
  • Stir in frozen strawberries and allow to sit until the strawberries thaw (if using frozen strawberries).
  • Add the strawberry topping on top of the chilled cream cheese layer.
  • Refrigerate for 1 hour.
  • After an hour, sprinkle the ¼ cup of pretzel reserve on top of the chilled strawberry layer.
  • It’s best to eat strawberry pretzel salad within 48 hours, as the pretzel crust will begin to soften.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry pretzel salad pro tips

  • A parchment paper sling makes it easy to pull out the salad from the baking dish once it’s cooled.
  • Use cream cheese at room temperature, as it will whip together quicker than cold cream cheese. I also suggest using whipped cream cheese.
  • Make sure each layer is cool/chilled before adding a new one.
  • Spread the cream cheese layer right up to the edge of the pretzel crust to prevent it from becoming soggy.
  • Before you pour the Jell-O over the strawberries, make sure it’s room temperature to prevent the strawberries from being wilted by heat.
  • While you can keep this dish in the refrigerator for up to two days, it won’t remain fresh forever. Sadly, the longer you refrigerate it, the soggier it will become.

Nutrition

Calories: 557kcal | Carbohydrates: 78g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 15g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 65mg | Sodium: 628mg | Potassium: 263mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 54g | Vitamin A: 826IU | Vitamin C: 33mg | Calcium: 118mg | Iron: 2mg
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This post appeared first on ShaundaNecole.com on Nov 22, 2017.

 

5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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2 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    This looks so amazing. I am thinking of asking my son if he would like me to make it

    1. Oh yeah! Strawberry pretzel salad is a classic Southern dessert, great recipe anytime of year!