Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad - classic dessert recipe (2024)

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This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is an old-fashioned dessert recipe that still popular for a reason: it’s delicious! With its combination of a salty pretzel crust, tangy strawberry jello filling, and sweet whipped cream topping, this dessert is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad - classic dessert recipe (1)

This strawberry pretzel salad dessert combines the best of everything. You have the salty and sweet thing going on with the crust and Jell-O. Then you have the rich and creamy layer. And there’s even fresh fruit so you can feel a little better about eating dessert. This totally counts as one serving of fruit and vegetables, right?

Making the perfect strawberry jello pretzel salad is easier than you think. I’m going to share all of my tips and tricks you need to create a visually appealing and delicious dessert that will impress!

TABLE OF CONTENTS hide

1 Why You’ll Love This Recipe

3 How to Make

4 Frequently Asked Questions

5 More Strawberry Dessert You May Enjoy

6 Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • The combination of sweet and salty flavors creates a dynamic taste experience that is both unexpected and delicious.
  • The crunchy pretzel crust provides a nice contrast to the smooth and creamy filling, making for an enjoyable texture as well.
  • The vibrant red color of the jello and strawberries is visually stunning and sure to catch the attention of your guests.
  • This recipe is easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making it the perfect dessert to serve at any gathering.
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Ingredients

Here is what you’ll need to make this Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

  • pretzels
  • brown sugar
  • butter
  • strawberry gelatin dessert
  • fresh strawberries
  • cream cheese
  • sugar
  • vanilla
  • cool whip
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How to Make

I will walk you through the process of making this strawberry pretzel salad. For your convenience,I’ve also provided a full ingredient list and detailed instructions in the printable recipe card below.

  1. Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Then crush the pretzels!
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  1. You can use any kind of pretzels, but make sure they have some salt on them. The salty-sweet combination is part of what makes this dessert so amazing. I put the pretzels in a plastic baggie and crushed them with a rolling pin.
  2. Combine the crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and melted butter and press into a lightly greased 9 x 13″ pan.
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  1. Bake for 10 minutes.
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  1. Remove from the oven. Once the pretzel crust is slightly cool, refrigerate it 30-60 minutes so that it gets really cold.
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Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad - classic dessert recipe (8)
  1. In the meantime, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Use a mixer for this. You don’t want lumps of cream cheese. Blend in Cool Whip with a spatula.
  2. Spread over cooled crust.
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  1. Next, make the Jell-O (you want the larger box of Jell-O) according to the package directions minus 1/4 cup of water. This is a personal preference, but I find using less water allows the Jell-O to firm up better.
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  1. Put your bowl of Jell-O in the fridge to allow it to partially cool before putting it on top of your cream cheese layer.
  2. While the Jell-O partially cools, slice the strawberries. Then, place them on top of the chilled layer of cream cheese and Cool Whip. I like to place the strawberries in alternating rows across the top. Feel free to scatter them randomly or in any fun pattern you choose.
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Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad - classic dessert recipe (12)
  1. Once your Jell-O is chilled and about the consistency of jam or pudding (about an hour or two in the fridge), you’re ready!
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  1. Spoon or pour the Jell-O over the cream cheese layer.
  2. Return the pan to the fridge. Cool until the Jell-O is completely set (about an hour).

That’s it! As you can see, other than cooling time, this dessert is really effortless to put together. You could even try it with different berries or fruits! YourStrawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad is ready!

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do you avoid runny strawberry pretzel salad?

Make sure you spread the cool whip layer completely to the edges. You want to create a seal so your Jell-O doesn’t leak through. This is key to keeping your layers separate.

Can I used a different flavor of jello?

Yes, you can use any flavor of Jello you like. Just be aware that the flavor of the Jello will be the dominant flavor in the salad, so choose your flavor wisely. I also recommend matching your fresh fruit to the flavor of the jello.

Can I make This In advance?

The answer is yes, you can make it up to a day ahead of time. Just make sure to store it covered in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.

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I hope the pictures and tips for creating this Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad dessert were helpful!

More Strawberry Dessert You May Enjoy

  • Strawberry Crunch Cake
  • Strawberry Nutella Mountain Pie
  • Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp
  • Strawberry Ice Cream Cheesecake
  • Strawberry Coconut Cake

Have you tried this Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad? If so, please leave a comment and a 5-star rating below.

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Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad - classic dessert recipe (17)

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is an old-fashioned dessert recipe that still popular for a reason: it’s delicious!

5 from 3 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: jello, pretzels, strawberry

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Chilling Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 12 people

Calories: 341kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cup pretzels crushed finely
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 package (6 ounces) strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert
  • 1 container (16 ounces) fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 container (8 ounces) cream cheese
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 container (8 ounces) Cool Whip

Instructions

  • Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and melted butter and press into a lightly greased 9 x 13″ pan.

  • Bake for 10 minutes.

  • Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely. Once the pretzel crust is slightly cool, refrigerate it 30-60 minutes so that it gets really cold.

  • In the meantime, with an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Then using a spatula, fold in the Cool Whip.

  • Spread over cooled crust. (Make sure you spread this layer completely to the edges. You want to create a seal so your Jell-O doesn’t leak through.) Return your pan to the fridge to chill.

  • Next, prepare the Jell-O according to the package directions minus 1/4 cup of water. This is a personal preference, but I find using less water allows the Jell-O to firm up better. Put your bowl of Jell-O in the fridge to allow it to chill. However, do not let it become completely firm

  • While the Jell-O cools, slice the strawberries. Then, place them on top of your chilled layer of cream cheese and cool whip.

  • Once the Jell-O is chilled to about the consistency of jam or pudding (about an hour or two in the fridge), it’s ready. Spoon or pour the Jell-O over the cream cheese layer.

  • Return the pan to the fridge. Cool until your Jell-O is completely set (about an hour).

  • Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Notes

Please note: For best results, you must chill the layers between steps. This is an easy dessert to make but it does take time due to chilling. Allow enough time to complete the entire recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 341kcal | Carbohydrates: 46g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 44mg | Sodium: 376mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 31g | Vitamin A: 510IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 1mg

Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad - classic dessert recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is pretzel salad made of? ›

It's made with a buttery pretzel crust that is topped with a light yet tangy cream cheese filling and finished off with a sweet strawberry Jell-O topping. This layered dessert is a classic recipe perfect for potlucks, summer BBQs, and more!

How do you keep pretzel crust from getting soggy? ›

#3 Soggy crust

-bake the pretzel crust for exactly 10 minutes and let it cool completely. If you add the cream cheese filling before the crust is cool, it will make the pretzels soggy. -make sure that you spread the cream cheese filling edge to edge of the pan.

What is strawberry fluff made of? ›

What is strawberry fluff? Strawberry fluff is a simple dessert made by combining strawberry jello, whipped topping, crushed pineapple, sweetened condensed milk, and fresh strawberries. It is mixed and then served chilled.

What is the secret ingredient which makes a pretzel taste like a pretzel? ›

Pretzels are dipped in food-grade lye before baking. It gives them a characteristic shine and flavor.

What is the secret ingredient in pretzels? ›

Traditional Bavarian pretzels are dipped in a lye solution before they are baked. Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is essentially the same stuff that's used to make soap and clean drains. It can even dissolve glass.

Why is my pretzel salad soggy? ›

The key here is to spread the cream cheese filling from edge to edge over the entire crust to create a thick layer that seals the pretzels. You don't want any of the strawberry gelatin topping to touch the crust or it could cause it to become soggy.

What is the purpose of putting an egg wash on the pretzel? ›

The egg wash on the pretzels gives them a little shine, and I find it softens the exterior a bit. For a more traditional taste, omit the egg wash and just use salt when the pretzels come out of the water bath.

How do you make pretzels crispy again? ›

Wrap your pretzel in aluminum foil and place it in the oven for five minutes. If you want a crispier exterior, leave the aluminum foil off and just place the pretzel directly on the middle rack of your oven.

What's the difference between strawberry jello and strawberry gelatin? ›

Gelatin is a neutral product that is used to set up your dessert. Jello-O is a brand name of gelatin mixed with sugar and flavors to make your dessert.

What is strawberry jello made of? ›

INGREDIENTS: Strawberry Jello (Sugar, Gelatin, Adipic Acid (For Tartness), Contains Less Than 2% Of Artificial Flavor, Disodium Phosphate And Sodium Citrate (Control Acidity), Fumaric Acid (For Tartness), Red 40.)

Was Raspberry Fluff discontinued? ›

No, Raspberry Fluff was discontinued in 2013.

Why do you put baking soda on strawberries? ›

Beyond that, studies have shown that while washing produce in a baking soda solution can reduce pesticide residues by 66.7–98.9%, washing in tap water alone can reduce by 26.7–62.9%.

Why should you soak strawberries before eating? ›

Soaking strawberries in salt water will help dislodge any hidden dirt or bugs. (Gross, we know.) That said, it's normal for there to be some earthy residue on the berries, but if you're particularly concerned about bugs, give them a soak in salt water.

Why do you soak strawberries in baking soda? ›

Add 1 tsp. of baking soda to 4 cups of water, and soak your strawberries in a large bowl for five minutes. Then, rinse your strawberries with cold running water and pat them dry. Baking soda helps remove dirt, traces of pesticides, and more from fresh fruits and vegetables.

Are soft pretzels junk food? ›

Pretzels may be better than some fatty chips, but four out of five nutrition experts surveyed by Time say if you're trying to eat healthy, pretzels shouldn't be your go-to snack. Although pretzels are low-fat, they are also pretty paltry on the protein and fiber front, and they can be quite high in sodium and carbs.

What were pretzels made for? ›

An Italian monk teaching children in Northern Italy is said to have invented soft little pretzels and called them pretiola or little rewards, to reward children for learning their prayers. He is said to have made the treats with little arms forming the 'knot', to resemble little arms crossed of children in prayer.

How are pretzel pieces made? ›

The real origin of Pretzel Pieces was a happy accident. While making Sourdough Hard Pretzels, some are broken and removed prior to packaging. Not wanting to let anything go to waste, bakery staff would flavor the broken pieces and sell them at the factory outlet.

What are pretzels without salt called? ›

Pretzel Facts

Pretzels without salt are called baldies.

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