Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a classic American dessert made with a salty pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, and a strawberry gelatin topping. Despite the name, it’s not really a salad—it’s a layered dessert.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Pretzel crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ¾ cup melted butter
- 3 tablespoons sugar
Cream cheese layer
- 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 oz (225 g) whipped topping (such as whipped cream topping)
Strawberry topping
- 1 package (about 6 oz / 170 g) strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups sliced strawberries (fresh or frozen)
Instructions
- Make the crust
- Heat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar.
- Press into a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake for about 10 minutes, then cool completely.
- Prepare the cream layer
- Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping.
- Spread over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure the layer reaches the edges (this helps prevent the gelatin from soaking into the crust).
- Chill for about 30 minutes.
- Add the strawberry layer
- Dissolve gelatin in boiling water.
- Let it cool slightly.
- Stir in strawberries.
- Pour gently over the cream layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, until set.
- Serve
- Cut into squares and enjoy chilled.
Tip: For the best texture, keep the pretzel crust crisp by sealing it completely with the cream cheese layer before adding the gelatin.
