Strawberry Pretzel Salad (With Jell-O)
Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad is a three-layered dessert. It starts with a crunchy sweet, and salty pretzel base, followed by a creamy cream cheese layer, and is topped with a strawberry jello that includes real strawberries. Great dessert side dish choice for holidays, potlucks, and family get-togethers.
Servings: 16 slices
Calories: 212kcal
Equipment
- 9 x 13 Casserole Dish
Ingredients
Strawberry Layer
- 16 oz. frozen sliced strawberries thawed (do not drain) OR 1 pound sliced fresh strawberries
- 2 cups boiling water
- 6 oz. strawberry Jell-O
Pretzel Layer
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup melted butter
- 1/4 th cup sugar
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz. cream cheese softened
- 1/4th cup granulated white sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 8 oz. Cool Whip whipped topping thawed
Instructions
Preheat the Oven and Prepare the Dish:
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Ensure a 9 x 13 baking dish is available and make space for it in the fridge.
Strawberry Layer
- Prepare the Jell-O Mixture: In a mixing bowl, add 2 cups boiling water and the boxed strawberry Jell-O. Mix thoroughly until dissolved, about 3 minutes by hand.
- Add Strawberries: Incorporate the sliced, thawed strawberries, including their juice, into the Jell-O mixture.
- Chill Mixture: Place the strawberry-Jell-O mixture in the fridge until it reaches a consistency similar to egg whites but not completely set.
Pretzel Layer
- Crush Pretzels: Put pretzels in a gallon-sized bag and use a rolling pin or the bottom of a cup to crush them into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Crust: In a mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, 1/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Mix until combined.
- Evenly press this mixture into the bottom of the 9 x 13 baking dish to form a thin crust layer.
- Bake and Cool: Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely. For quicker cooling, place in the fridge for 10-15 minutes.
Cream Cheese Layer
- Ensure Pan is Cooled: The pan and crust must be fully cooled before proceeding.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 1/4 cup sugar, and milk. Beat these ingredients until well combined. Gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula.
Assembling the Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring it reaches the edges to prevent Jell-O from seeping through. IMPORTANT.
- Chill: Place the dish in the fridge for 10 minutes to slightly firm the cream cheese layer.
- Add Strawberry Layer: Gently pour and layer the strawberry Jell-O mixture over the cream cheese layer.
- Final Chill: Return the baking dish to the fridge and allow it to set for about 4 hours or until firmly set.
- Serve: Once set, slice the salad into squares and enjoy!
Notes
Cream Cheese Layer: It is fine to double the cream cheese layer, which provides a really thick center. Just make sure you have a deep pan and spread the middle layer evenly. It must go edge to edge, or the gelatin will seep through before it's set.
Can other Fruits be used? Absolutely! Instead of strawberries, try Raspberry or mixed fruit!
If you do not like pretzels, try crushed-up graham crackers instead!
Nutrition
Serving: 1 | Calories: 212kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 184mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g