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? ›

This strawberry pretzel salad is an easy and decorative three-layer dish consisting of a pretzel crust, a cream cheese center, and a Jell-O topping. It's just plain delicious.

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 best way to crush pretzels? ›

I placed mine in my food processor for about a minute and then blended until it was finely ground. If you don't have a blender, place pretzels in a sealed bag and using a rolling pin, crush the pretzels. Add sugar to pretzel mixture.

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

The answer lies in a brief dip in an alkaline water bath before baking. This bath essentially gelatinizes the outside of the pretzel, preventing it from fully “springing” during baking (as bread does) and giving pretzels their signature chewy crust. It also gives them their unique and indelible “pretzel” flavor.

How much sugar is in strawberry pretzel salad? ›

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 24
Sodium 275mg12%
Total Carbohydrate 36g13%
Total Sugars 22g
12 more rows
Jun 14, 2011

What is ambrosia salad made of? ›

Ambrosia Fruit Salad

The best Ambrosia Salad recipe is made with pineapple, mandarin oranges, yogurt, mini marshmallows, coconut and whipped cream. This easy side dish has a delicious tropical sweetness and is always a crowd favorite!

Why is my strawberry fluff runny? ›

The strawberries very likely will end up making the fluff runny the longer it sits. If you keep the Strawberry Fluff in a bowl with a tight-fitting lid, it should keep for a day or two in the fridge.

Is fuzz on strawberries mold? ›

That unappetizing fuzz is called gray mold, and it's caused by the fungal pathogen Botrytis cinerea. Other common fungal diseases of strawberry include powdery mildew and anthracnose. These diseases pose big problems for growers, who traditionally apply fungicides to control them.

What is the secret solution for Auntie Anne's pretzels? ›

Whisk together 2 cups (454 grams) of warm water and the 1/3 cup (90 grams) baking soda in a shallow dish. Dip the pretzels into the baking soda bath. Flip and dip the other side. Place the dipped pretzels onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Why do you dip pretzels in baking soda before baking? ›

Furthermore, we've introduced the baking soda bath. While it sounds strange, this step is what gives pretzels that iconic flavor, chewy texture, helps deepen their golden color in the oven, and locks in the super soft interior.

What is the traditional dipping liquid for pretzels? ›

Lye is primarily used to make pretzels, and it's the reason for their unmistakable shiny, mahogany color. To prepare, shaped pretzels are dipped in a lye bath, then baked in the oven.

What is the main ingredient in pretzels? ›

Pretzels are a type of bread typically made from wheat or rye flour and a few other ingredients, such as yeast, sugar, salt, water, and butter.

What is pretzel dough made of? ›

Dough for Soft Pretzel Bites

You need just 6 basic ingredients to get started including warm water, yeast, a little sugar to feed the yeast, melted butter, salt, and all-purpose flour. (If you have it, the same amount of bread flour works too!). You can use either instant (quick rise) or active dry yeast in this dough.

What are pretzel crackers made of? ›

Enriched Wheat Flour (Flour, Niacin, Reduced Iron, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Sugar, Salt, Malt Syrup (Tapioca Syrup, Malt Extract), Soda. Contains: Wheat. Produced in a facility that handles milk and soy.

What are Philly pretzels made of? ›

pretzel dough ingredients:

Bleached Enriched Flour (Wheat Flour, Malted Barley Flour, Niacin, Iron, Potassium Bromate, Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid), Water, Dough Conditioner (Whey [milk], Corn Flour, Monocalcium Phospate, L-cysteine Hydrochloride, Potassium Bromate), Yeast.

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