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

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.

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!

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.

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

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!

2. 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.
3. Combine the crushed pretzels, brown sugar, and melted butter and press into a lightly greased 9 x 13″ pan.

4. Bake for 10 minutes.

5. Remove from the oven. Once the pretzel crust is slightly cool, refrigerate it 30-60 minutes so that it gets really cold.

6. 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.
7. Spread over cooled crust.

8. 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.

9. 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.
10. 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.

11. 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!

12. Spoon or pour the Jell-O over the cream cheese layer.
13. 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!

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.

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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