Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad is a classic Christmas jello salad with layers of pretzel, cream cheese and strawberry. It’s sweet and salty, making it perfect for holidays, potlucks or whenever you need a sweet treat.
If you like light and refreshing dessert salads then try my Pineapple Fluff Salad and my Raspberry Cranberry Jello Salad. They are perfect for your holiday table.
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Why this Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe is a Keeper
This strawberry pretzel jello dessert checks all the boxes; it’s simple, nostalgic and super customizable.
- Perfect Combination of Flavors and Textures: It masterfully balances sweet and salty, and soft and crunchy. The salty, buttery pretzel crust is the perfect foil for the sweet, creamy filling and the fruity Jell-O topping.
- Crowd-Pleaser: This dessert is a staple at potlucks, family gatherings, and holiday meals for a reason. Its vibrant color and classic taste appeal to nearly everyone, making it a guaranteed hit.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Since it requires time to set, this is an ideal dessert to prepare in advance, freeing up your time on the day of your event.
Why Is my Pretzel Crust Soggy?
Even with a good seal, time is the enemy. The longer the salad sits assembled, the more likely moisture will sneak into the pretzel layer. It’s best served within a few hours of chilling.
Fun Fact
Strawberry jello salad is often called the “queen of all Jell-O salads” because it hits every nostalgic note; sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy.
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Recipe Ingredient Notes for Strawberry Pretzel Salad
You only need a few easy-to-find ingredients to make strawberry jello dessert, many of which you might have in your pantry already.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Strawberry Jell-o: Use your favorite strawberry jello mix to make the Jello mixture.
- Pretzels: Again, use your favorite kind to make the salty pretzel crust.
- Strawberries: Use frozen strawberries to make the sweet strawberry mixture of this jello strawberry dessert.
Variations and Substitutions to Make this Recipe
This recipe is super flexible. Switch it up to make it work for your tastes.
- Berries and Jell-O: Try this recipe with cherry Jell-O and frozen cherries, lime Jell-O with crushed pineapple, peach Jell-O with frozen peaches or raspberry Jello with frozen raspberries are also delicious.
- Crust: You can substitute the pretzel mixture with graham cracker crumbs or even vanilla wafers for a sweeter, less salty base.
- Sweet Cream Cheese Filling: For a lighter filling, you can use low-fat cream cheese and whipped topping that’s sugar-free.
- Toppings: While not traditional, you can garnish the finished salad with fresh fruit, a dollop of extra whipped topping, or even a sprinkle of crushed pretzels for added crunch.
How to Make Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
This recipe comes together in just 3 quick and easy steps. This Jello salad recipe is so good and a staple side for Christmas.
Get the full printable recipe with specific measurements and directions in the recipe card below.
- Make the Pretzel Layer: Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter and some of the sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish and bake the pretzel crust in a preheated oven or until fully set. Let cool completely.
- Make the Cream Layer: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and sugar with a mixer. Then, gently fold in the cool whip. Spread cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, until no crust shows.
- Make Jello Layer: Stir the Jello in boiling water until jello is completely dissolved, then stir in the frozen strawberries. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Pour the Jello mix over the top of the cream cheese mixture and let chill in the fridge before enjoying.
Prep Salad Ahead Suggestions
Preparing ingredients ahead of time for raspberry pretzel salad can help to save me time and kitchen space when it comes to making the recipe.
- Prepare the Crust. You can make the pretzel crust, bake it, and let it cool completely. Once cool, you can either cover the baking dish with plastic wrap and store it on the counter or in the refrigerator. The crust will stay crunchy and fresh for the raspberry pretzel jello salad.
- Prepare the Cream Cheese Filling. You can mix the softened cream cheese, sugar, and whipped cream until smooth. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled crust, making sure to go all the way to the edges to create a perfect seal. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
How to Store and Use Leftover Cool Whip Jello Salad
- Store: Store any leftovers, covered with plastic wrap, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pretzel crust will likely soften over time, but the flavor will still be great.
- Use Leftovers: Parfait cups or trifles: Layer spoonfuls into small jars or glasses with whipped cream or vanilla yogurt. It makes a sweet, salty snack or dessert with built-in texture. Frozen bites: Scoop into silicone molds or mini muffin tins and freeze. They turn into cool, chewy treats. They are great for warm days or quick sweet craving.
Questions to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Sure, they jello salad can be made with fresh strawberries on hand feel free to use them.
If the layers mixed together, it’s because you didn’t allow the cream cheese layer to chill before adding the strawberry layer. The strawberry layer also may have been too hot when you poured it on.
Expert Tips for Making Pretzel Jello Salad
- Finely Crush the Pretzels: Use a food processor for the most consistent, finely crushed pretzels. This helps the crust pack together tightly. If you don’t have one, place the pretzels in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.
- Completely Cool the Salty-Sweet Pretzel Crust: This is the most important step for a successful salad. The sweet pretzel crust must be completely cool to the touch before you add the cream cheese layer.
- Seal the Edges: Be meticulous when spreading the cream cheese mixture. It must go all the way to the edges of the pan to create a seal and prevent the Jell-O from getting into the crunchy pretzel crust and making it soggy.
- Chill Between Layers: Make sure to refrigerate the cream cheese layer while you prepare the jello portion. This helps it firm up and prevent the top layer from mixing in when you pour jello on top.
- Let it Set: Give the final dish at least 2 hours to set, but 4 hours is even better to ensure the Jell-O is fully firm.
- Serve With: Serve with Strawberry Fluff Salad, Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark or Cream Cheese Whipped Cream.
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Strawberry Pretzel Jello Layered Salad
Equipment
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Ingredients
- 2 cups Pretzels, crushed, about 2 1/2 cups of whole pretzels
- ¾ cup Butter, melted
- 1 cup White sugar, divided
- 3 Tablespoons White sugar
- 8 ounces Cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup White sugar
- 8 ounces Whipped topping, thawed
- 6 ounces Strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups Boiling water
- 20 ounces Strawberries, Frozen
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400℉.
- Stir crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons sugar together until fully.
- Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until fully set; set aside to cool completely. The crust should be completely cooled before moving on.
- Add cream cheese and 1 cup sugar to a large bowl. Use and electric mixer to combine until smooth; fold in whipped topping.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly onto cooled crust. It should go completely to the edges of the. Make sure none of the pretzel layer is showing. Refrigerate while making the strawberry mixture.
- Dissolve gelatin in boiling water.
- Stir in frozen strawberries and allow to set for about 15 minutes.
- Pour the gelatin mixture on top of the cream cheese and evenly spread it out; refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours.
Christina’s Notes
- Crush the Pretzels: Use a food processor for finely crushed pretzels. You can also place the pretzels in a zip-top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.
- Cool the Crust: The crust must be completely coo before adding the cream cheese layer.
- Chill Layers: Make sure to refrigerate the cream cheese layer while you prepare the jello portion. This helps prevent the top layer from mixing.
- Let it Set: Give the final dish at least 2 hours to set, but 4 hours is even better to ensure the Jell-O is fully firm.
For more helpful information about this recipe, such as variations, substitutions and other pro-tips, scroll up on the page.