Indulge in the timeless delight of Strawberry Pretzel Salad—a classic dessert celebrated since its debut in the 1963 cookbook, ‘Joys of Jell-O’ by General Foods. This delectable treat layers a pretzel crust with a whipped cream cheese layer, fresh strawberries, and strawberry jello, creating a perfect fusion of sweet and salty flavors cherished through generations.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Pretzel Crust
- 4 cups (about 380g) salted pretzels
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks / 170g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
Whipped Cream Cheese Layer
- 4 ounces (113g) cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
- 2 cups (476g) heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch kosher salt
Jello Layer
- 1 package (170g) strawberry Jell-O mix
- 2 cups boiling water
Topping
- 16 ounces (about 454g) fresh strawberries, sliced
Can I Use A Different Type Of Fruit?
Certainly! Experiment with raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, or a mix of berries with your preferred jello flavor.
Make Ahead Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Prepare this delightful treat in advance by making the stabilized whipped cream layer ahead. Store it in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days in an airtight container.
How To Store Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Cover and store the Strawberry Pretzel Salad in the refrigerator for optimal freshness, lasting up to 2-3 days. Extended storage may lead to a softer crust.
Instructions
- Before you start, chill the bowl and whisk attachment from your stand mixer in the freezer for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper.
Pretzel Crust
- Place pretzels in a food processor and crush them to a fine crumb.
- In a medium bowl, combine pretzel crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Mix until combined and press firmly into the pan.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then cool the crust completely.
Whipped Cream Cheese Layer
- In the chilled bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar until fully combined.
- Pour in the heavy cream with the mixer off, then mix until soft peaks form.
- Scrape the bowl, add vanilla and a pinch of salt, and mix until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the whipped cream mixture over the cooled pretzel crust and chill for at least an hour.
Jello Layer
- In a large bowl, whisk strawberry Jell-O and boiling water until dissolved. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator.
Assembly
- Top the cream cheese layer with sliced strawberries and pour the cooled jello mixture over them.
- Chill until set (about 4-6 hours) and serve cold.
