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+ servings

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

A delightful dessert combining sweet and salty flavors with fresh strawberries, perfect for gatherings and family dinners.
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 servings
Calories 320 kcal

Ingredients
  

Crust

  • 2.5 cups crushed pretzels About half of a 16oz bag of tiny twist pretzels
  • 1 cup butter, melted
  • 0.25 cup light brown sugar

Filling

  • 2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 16-ounce container Cool Whip frozen topping, thawed
  • 0.5 teaspoon almond extract

Strawberry Layer

  • 1 6-ounce package strawberry Jello powder mix
  • 3 cups boiling water
  • 4 cups sliced frozen strawberries

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 400°F and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl, stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter, and light brown sugar until the mixture is evenly coated and looks like sand.
  • Transfer the pretzel mixture to the prepared dish. Press it firmly into the bottom using your fingers or a measuring cup to form an even crust.
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden. Let it cool completely, speeding the process by placing it in the freezer if desired.

Filling Preparation

  • Using an electric mixer, blend softened cream cheese and powdered sugar in a large bowl until smooth.
  • Fold in the thawed Cool Whip gently with a spatula until fully mixed.
  • Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure it reaches all edges to prevent sogginess. Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the strawberry layer.

Strawberry Layer

  • Dissolve the strawberry Jello powder in 3 cups of boiling water, stirring until fully combined.
  • Add sliced frozen strawberries and let the mixture cool for 2-3 minutes.
  • Slowly pour the strawberry and Jello mixture over the cheesecake layer, starting from one corner and carefully placing the strawberries to avoid disturbing the cream cheese layer. Spread strawberries evenly.

Chill and Serve

  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight until fully set.
  • Once chilled and set, cut into squares and serve cold. You can garnish with extra Cool Whip and pretzels for added texture and a pretty look.

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps in your cream cheese layer. For more intense strawberry flavor, add strawberry puree to the cream cheese layer. If you want to save time, use a store-bought crust instead of making the pretzel base from scratch.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 3gFat: 17gSaturated Fat: 10gSodium: 300mgFiber: 1gSugar: 17g
Keyword Chilled Dessert, Dessert, Fresh Strawberries, Strawberry Pretzel Salad, Summer Treat
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