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Nut Free
Step-by-Step Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is the ultimate sweet-and-salty crowd-pleaser! Turn every bite into a celebration with a pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and a vibrant strawberry-jello topping.
From the first crunchy bite of the pretzel crust to the creamy middle layer, every texture of this amazing jello salad calls for a smile. Nostalgic comfort mixes throughout this recipe with fresh strawberries as the “icing on the cake”. An old fashioned strawberry pretzel salad? Say no more.
Pressing a salty-sweet combination of pretzels, sugar, and butter into a baking dish sets the foundation for this pretzel dessert. A quick bake in the oven bonds it into a firm base that stays delightfully crisp, even under the moist layers above.
The middle layer of cream cheese filling gets dreamy fast. Cream cheese and sugar whip up until smooth, then gently folded with freshly whipped cream gives this layer lightness and stability. A well-chilled cream layer lets you build confidently and ensures clean squares at serving time.
Finally, the strawberry jello topping is the jewel-like treat to top the whole “salad”. Sliced fresh strawberries pair so well with the cream cheese layer and crispy, crunchy pretzel bottom! Let’s create this unique recipe so you have a new summer favorite!
Table of Contents
Key Ingredients
For the pretzel layer:
Pretzels create that salty, crunchy base that bakes into a firm, flavorful crust.
Granulated sugar sweetens the crust and helps bind it for easy slicing.
Butter adds richness and helps the crust hold together.
For the cream cheese layer:
Cream cheese sets the base for the foundation of the filling.
Sugar lightly sweetens the cream cheese for a balanced flavor.
Whipping cream or Cool Whip is whipped until fluffy. This will create a light, airy filling.
For the top layer:
Strawberry Jello creates the sweet, fruity top that glows with bright color. Prepare boiling water, too.
Fresh strawberries add natural fruit flavor and visual appeal in the jello layer.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
How to Make a Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Step 1: Prep
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
Step 2: Create the pretzel crust
Crush the pretzels into coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add the sugar and melted butter, mix well to combine.
Step 3: Bake the crust
Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish and make sure it is firmly packed. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
Step 4: Whip the filling
In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the whipped topping until fluffy.
Step 5: Fold
Gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture using a silicone spatula until well combined.
Step 6: Layer and chill
Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
Step 7: Prepare the Jello layer
While the middle layer is cooling in the refrigerator, bring the water to a boil. Stir the strawberry jello into the boiling water until fully dissolved. Add the thinly sliced strawberries to the gelatin mixture.
Step 8: Pour in the gelatin
Once the gelatin has cooled slightly, carefully pour it over the cream cheese layer.
Step 9: Refrigerate
Return to the refrigerator and let it chill for an additional 2-3 hours, or until the top layer is fully set.
Step 10: Cut and serve
Once the jello layer has set, cut the Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad into squares and serve.
Expert Tips
- Use a rolling pin and zipped bag to crush pretzels into even, coarse crumbs.
- Chill the creamy layer until slightly firm before pouring jello to maintain clean layers.
- Let chilled squares sit at room temperature for 5 minutes before serving to soften slightly.
- Press the pretzel crust firmly with a measuring cup bottom or flat glass for tight packing.
- Whip up a quick homemade whipped cream topping and add dollops on each square before serving!
Recipe FAQs
Fresh strawberries give the best texture, but thawed frozen strawberries work when fresh ones aren’t available.
Bake the crust well until set and golden. Chill the finished dish fully before cutting and serving.
Yes. Cool the Jello to lukewarm temperature to prevent melting the cream layer or causing bleed-through.
Absolutely. Use almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk and honey. Choose dairy-free honey or maple syrup for vegan.
Enjoy more delicious dessert recipes from the blog:
- Key Lime Dessert with Zest and Cream are fun little dessert cups with rave reviews!
- Classic Eclairs are a delicious dessert! Follow the step by step recipe to make them at home.
- A European Biskvit Cake is a classic, moist and fluffy cake that’s so delicious. It will melt in your mouth!
Try these other sweet recipes
If you tried this Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you enjoyed it in the📝 comments below. I love hearing from you!
Step-by-Step Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Equipment
- Baking dish
- mixing bowl
- hand mixer
- spatula
Ingredients
For the bottom layer:
- 2½ cups pretzels, crushed
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- ½ cup butter, melted
For the middle layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 8 oz whipping cream (or Cool Whip)
For the top layer:
- 6 oz strawberry jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Crush the pretzels into coarse crumbs. Transfer to a bowl and add the sugar and melted butter, then mix well to combine.2½ cups pretzels,, 3 Tbsp sugar, ½ cup butter,
- Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish and make sure it is firmly packed. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
- In a large bowl, using a mixer, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip the whipped topping until fluffy.8 oz cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, 8 oz whipping cream
- Gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture using a silicone spatula until well combined.
- Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- While the middle layer is cooling in the refrigerator, bring the water to a boil. Stir the strawberry jello into the boiling water until fully dissolved. Add the thinly sliced strawberries to the gelatin mixture.6 oz strawberry jello, 2 cups boiling water, 2 cups fresh strawberries,
- Once the gelatin has cooled slightly, carefully pour it over the cream cheese layer.
- Return to the refrigerator and let it chill for an additional 2-3 hours, or until the top layer is fully set.
- Once the jello layer has set, cut the Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad into squares and serve.
Notes
- Chill the creamy layer until slightly firm before pouring jello to maintain clean layers.