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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A delightful blend of salty pretzel crust, creamy filling, and a fresh strawberry layer that’s perfect for potlucks or family gatherings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 6 hours
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Dessert, Sides, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 2 1/2 cups small salted pretzels, crushed into coarse crumbs Salted pretzels enhance flavor.
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted Ensure it's fully melted for even mixing.
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
Creamy Layer
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened Allow cream cheese to reach room temperature before mixing.
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 8 ounces whipped topping, thawed Or 2 cups freshly whipped heavy cream.
Strawberry Layer
  • 6 ounces strawberry flavored gelatin Use two 3-ounce boxes.
  • 2 cups boiling water For dissolving gelatin.
  • 2 cups cold water Reduce to 1 1/2 cups if using only fresh strawberries.
  • 4 cups sliced strawberries, fresh or thawed frozen Fresh strawberries are visually appealing.
  • 1 pinch salt Plus a squeeze of lemon juice if berries need brightness.

Method
 

Preparation of Crust
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Crush pretzels until you have coarse crumbs with a few small bits left for crunch.
  3. Stir in melted butter and 1/4 cup sugar until well combined.
  4. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  5. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes until set, then let it cool completely.
Creamy Layer
  1. In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, 1/2 cup sugar, and vanilla until super smooth.
  2. Fold in the whipped topping carefully.
  3. Spread the mixture over the cooled crust, sealing the edges carefully.
  4. Chill for 20 minutes to let it firm up.
Strawberry Layer
  1. Dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water.
  2. Stir in the cold water and let it cool to a thin syrup consistency.
  3. Add the sliced strawberries and gently spoon the mixture over the creamy layer.
  4. Chill for 4 to 6 hours, or until the top is fully set.
Serving
  1. Use a sharp knife and a gentle sawing motion to slice.
  2. Wipe your knife between cuts for clean layers, and serve chilled.

Notes

Chilling overnight yields the best texture. For variations, consider using raspberries instead of strawberries.