Strawberry Pretzel Dessert / Salad
I am OBSESSED with this Strawberry Pretzel Dessert and have been for about 20 years. The salty & crunchy pretzel crust, creamy & rich cream cheese layer, and then the palate-cleansing fruity strawberry jello topping have the perfect balance of flavors to make it hard to stop eating. This recipe is perfect year-round for any occasion.
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Recipe
Ingredients
8-10 servings
Pretzel Crust
4 cups crushed pretzels
1 cup sugar
16 tablespoons (2 sticks) I used salted butter, but if you’re wanting it less salty- use unsalted
Cream Cheese Layer
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1/3 cup of confectioners sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
Jello Mixture
6 oz strawberry jello packet
8 oz frozen sweetened strawberries
2 cups boiling water
Pretzel Crust
1. Preheat oven to 350°F
2. Melt butter in medium saucepan over medium heat. Once melted, add in sugar and cook until dissolved, about 2-3 minutes.
3. Add in crushed pretzels and mix and cook for about 5 minutes to get everything mixed and coated.
4. Transfer pretzel mixture to 13x9 greased or lined baking dish and press firmly into dish.
5. Bake for 12+ minutes or until crust has slightly caramelized- I set the timer for 10 minutes, and then check on it and set the timer for 2 minutes and so on until it’s cooked to my liking.
6. Let cool to room temperature.
Cream Cheese Layer
1. Add whipping cream, confectioners sugar & vanilla to mixing bowl, or stand mixer bowl.
2. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat the ingredients together starting on low speed and gradually increase to high as whip cream starts to firm up and forms peaks. Transfer to a large bowl.
3. Using a stand mixer or electric hand mixer, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar together on medium until fluffy & white.
4. Fold in 1/2 of the whip cream into the cream cheese and mix until there are no visible cream cheese streaks left. *Save the other half of whip cream for optional topping or just to have in your fridge!*
5. Spread mixture over cooled pretzel crust, spreading to the edges of the dish to create a seal- this is important so that the jello is separated from the pretzel layer to keep it crunchy. Refrigerate for 45 minutes.
Jello Layer
1. Boil 2 cups of water and then pour into mixing bowl and add packet of strawberry jello and stir until dissolved.
2. Add frozen strawberries to jello mixture and break apart and then stir until combined and jello mixture is cooled.
3. OPTIONAL: use immersion blender to puree strawberries into jello mixture.
4. Pour over cooled cream cheese layer & refrigerate until set- (at least) 2 hours.
Cut up and serve with optional whip cream on top and have the best time of your life eating this delicious dessert!
