If you have been looking for an easy and unique dessert to impress your friends and family at your next get-together, then make sure you try this Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad! It’s a nostalgic favorite that combines salty, sweet, creamy, and fruity flavors all in one bite.
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This recipe has been around for decades. Seriously, I remember grandma making this dessert, and that was ages ago. I loved it then, and I still love it.
This retro dessert may have “salad” in the name, but I’ll be honest—it’s all about the layers. You start with a buttery pretzel crust that gets baked until golden and crisp. Then comes a fluffy cream cheese and whipped topping layer, followed by strawberry gelatin that’s loaded with fresh sliced berries. It’s sweet, a little salty, and totally refreshing. Honestly, I think it’s magical.
Craving more strawberry recipes? Make sure to try my Strawberry Jam Without Pectin or Fresh Strawberry Sheet Cake Recipe. If you’re a fan of easy desserts, then try these No-Bake Strawberry Shortcakes.
- Type of recipe: Dessert
- Cooking method: Baking the crust and chilling the dessert
- Skill level: Easy to medium
- Flavors & textures: Salty, crunchy, sweet & creamy
Table of contents
Recipe Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- Pretzel twists – Crushed to create a crunchy, salty base.
- Unsalted butter – Melted to bind the crust and add flavor.
- Sugar – Just enough to balance the salt.
Cream Cheese Layer
- Cream cheese – Softened for a smooth, rich filling.
- Sugar – Sweetens the cream cheese.
- Frozen whipped topping – Thawed and folded in for a light, fluffy texture. I used Cool Whip for this recipe.
- Vanilla – Adds a touch of flavor. Use a good quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
Strawberry Layer:
- Sliced strawberries – Fresh is best for flavor and texture, but thawed frozen berries work too—just drain them well.
- Strawberry Jell-O mix – Adds bold color, fruity flavor, and that classic wobbly texture we love. Use the 6 oz. box of jello.
- Water – Dissolves the gelatin and helps it set just right.
Optional Decorations:
Add Strawberries, dollops of whipped topping, and pretzels for garnish on top.
How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Tip – This dessert does take some time to chill, so plan ahead if you’re making it for an event.
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13×9 baking dish and set aside. Using a food processor, crush the pretzel pieces until you’ve got 2 1/2 cups of crushed pieces. Place in a medium bowl.
Step 2. Add in the melted butter and sugar. Mix to combine. Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before topping with the cream cheese layer.
Step 3. For the cream cheese layer, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in the bowl of a stand mixer or use your hand mixer. Mix on low until combined and cream until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping.
Step 4. Spread the cream cheese layer over the pretzel crust, all the way to the edges of the pan, to ensure the Jello layer does not seep into the pretzels. Chill for at least 30 minutes to set. Meanwhile, make the Jello.
Step 5. In a small saucepan, heat the water until boiling. Remove from the heat and add the strawberry Jello mix. Whisk to combine. Allow to cool to room temperature.
Step 6. Remove the baking dish from the fridge. Slice the strawberries and layer over the cream cheese mixture. Pour the room-temperature Jello over the strawberries and chill for an additional 3-4 hours or until set.
If desired, serve with a dollop of whipped topping, strawberries, and pretzels.
Time to Grab a Fork
Did you let it chill? Then it’s time to cut this strawberry salad into nice big slices and enjoy all the glorious layers of dessert goodness.
Storage Tips
- Refrigeration: Cover tightly with plastic wrap or a lid and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I use this 13 x 9 Pyrex dish with a lid. It keeps the jello salad fresh and makes it easy to transport, too!
- Freezing: Not recommended due to the gelatin’s texture.
Tips for Success
- Seal the cream cheese layer: Make sure to completely cover the layer to stop the Jello mixture from seeping into the crust.
- Use fresh strawberries: They provide a firmer, fresher texture compared to frozen ones.
- Cool the Jello: Let it cool before pouring over the cream cheese layer to avoid any melting.
- Chill each layer thoroughly: Allow each layer to set fully before adding the next to ensure clean layers and easier slicing.
FAQ’s
Absolutely! You can customize this dessert with other fruits like raspberries, peaches, or even mandarin oranges. Pair them with flavored Jello to match.
Definitely! The playful layers and sweet taste make it a hit with kids. Plus, they’ll enjoy helping you put the layers together. Just be sure to handle the boiling water when making the Jello.
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Recipe
Old Fashioned Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Equipment
Ingredients
For the crust
- 2 ½ cups pretzel twists acutally measure the 2 1/2 cups before crushing the pretzels
- ¾ cups unsalted butter melted
- ¼ cups sugar
For the cream cheese layer
- 8 ounces cream cheese softened
- 1/2 cups sugar
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping thawed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
For the strawberry layer
- 16 ounces sliced strawberries
- 6 ounces Strawberry Jello mix
- 2 cups water
- Additional strawberries to decorate
- Additional pretzels to decorate
- Additional whipped topping to decorate
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13×9 baking dish and set aside.
- Using a food processor, crush the pretzel pieces until you’ve got 2 and ½ c of crushed pieces. Place in a medium bowl.
- Add in the melted butter and sugar. Mix to combine.
- Press the crust mixture into the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before topping with the cream cheese layer.
- For the cream cheese layer – in the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Mix on low until combined and cream until smooth.
- Fold in the whipped topping.
- Spread the cream cheese layer over the pretzel crust and spread all the way to the edges of the pan to ensure the Jello layer will not seep into the pretzels. Chill for at least 30 minutes to set.
- Meanwhile, make the Jello.
- In a small saucepan, heat the water until boiling. Remove from the heat and add the strawberry Jello mix. Whisk to combine. Allow to cool to room temperature.
- Remove the baking dish from the fridge.
- Slice the strawberries and layer over the cream cheese mixture.
- Pour the room temperature Jello over the strawberries.
- Chill for an additional 3-4 hours or until set.
- Serve with a dollop of whipped topping, strawberries and pretzels, if desired.
Notes
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Nutrition
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Hello there, I’m Jere’
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven® sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
