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Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

This easy strawberry pretzel dessert has a crunchy pretzel crust topped with a layer of sweet cream cheese and a delicious strawberry jello topping. Fresh strawberry slices and a dollop of whipped topping take it over the top!

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert square served on a dessert dish and garnished with cream.

Need a dessert to bring to a bridal shower, baby shower, potluck, Mother’s Day!? Here it is! Quick, delicious, no-bake, and everyone’s favorite, Strawberry Pretzel Salad! The amazing combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy make this dessert a winner with any crowd.

Why People Love This Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

  • Beautiful: With its distinct layers, it’s not only tasty but also visually striking.
  • Unique Combo: The contrasting flavors of sweet and salty create a delicious taste experience.
  • Versatility: It’s a versatile dessert that can be adapted for different occasions and preferences. It suits various events, from casual gatherings to more formal affairs.
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Recipe, strawberry jell-o, pretzels, salad

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Many recipes call for a tub of cool whip to be mixed in with the cream cheese, but I like to make my own fresh whipped cream because it’s smoother, silkier, and tastes better. Also, for the gelatin, I almost always use sugar-free Jell-O (gelatin). If you are not into that, no biggie. Use whichever one you like.

  1. Preheat: Oven to 350˚F.
  2. Crust: Mix pretzels, butter, and sugar. Press into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool.
  3. Cream Cheese Filling: Whip cream, vanilla, and sugar to stiff peaks. Beat cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped cream. Spread over the crust, add walnuts, and refrigerate until chilled.
  4. Strawberry Topping: Dissolve gelatin in boiling water, stir in strawberries, and chill until partially set. Spoon over cream cheese layer.
  5. Chill for 6 hours or overnight until firm.
  6. Serve: Cut into squares, garnish with whipped topping and pretzels.
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert square served on a small dish.

Recipe Tips

  • Crust Consistency: Crush the pretzels to maintain texture and press them firmly into the baking dish.
  • Cooling the Crust: Let the crust cool completely before adding the cream cheese.
  • Cream Cheese Softness: Use room temperature cream cheese for easy and smooth blending.
  • Coverage: Spread the cream cheese to the edges to seal the crust.
  • Chilling: Chill adequately after adding each layer.
  • Strawberry Layer: Spoon the strawberry mix when it’s partially set, but not liquidy.
  • Garnishing: Add a dollop of whipped cream and pretzels just before serving.
  • Serving Tip: Use a warm, sharp knife for clean slices.

Proper Storage

Transfer the dessert to an airtight container to help retain its moisture and freshness, and consume it within 2 to 3 days for the best taste and texture. The crust can become soggy over time due to the moisture from the cream and strawberry layers. Freezing is not recommended for this dessert as the creamy and gelatin layers may not thaw well, affecting the texture and consistency.

Close up image of Strawberry Pretzel Dessert square served on a dessert dish and garnished with cream.

Easy No Bake Desserts

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert square served on a dessert dish and garnished with cream.

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Recipe

Katerina | Diethood
This layered Strawberry Pretzel Dessert is prepared with a crunchy pretzel crust topped with a layer of sweet cream cheese and a delicious strawberry jello topping.
5 from 5 votes
Servings : 12 Servings
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Chilling Time 6 hours
Total Time 7 hours

Ingredients
  

For the Pretzel Crust
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar, or your choice of sweetener
For the Cream Cheese Layer
  • cups cold heavy whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, or your choice of sweetener
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup chopped walnuts
For the Strawberry Topping
  • 2 packages (3 ounces each) sugar-free strawberry gelatin
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
  • whipped topping and pretzels for garnish, optional

Instructions
 

For the Pretzel Crust
  • Preheat oven to 350˚F.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the pretzels, butter, and sugar.
  • Press the pretzels into an ungreased 9×13-inch baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Remove from oven and let cool.
For the Cream Cheese Layer
  • In your mixer's bowl, combine the heavy cream, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons sugar; beat with a mixer until cream reaches stiff peaks. Set aside.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese and remaining sugar until smooth and creamy. Using a rubber spatula, fold in the prepared whipped topping.
  • Spread the cream cheese filling over the cooled pretzel crust all the way to the edges; add walnuts on top and refrigerate until chilled.
For the Strawberry Topping
  • In a large bowl, add boiling water and gelatin; stir in the strawberries and chill in the fridge until partially set.
  • Spoon the strawberry mixture over the chilled cream cheese filling.
  • Chill the dessert for 6 hours or overnight, until firm.
  • Cut it into squares and garnish with whipped topping and pretzels.
  • Serve.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 square | Calories: 465 kcal | Carbohydrates: 43 g | Protein: 5 g | Fat: 32 g | Saturated Fat: 16 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7 g | Trans Fat: 0.3 g | Cholesterol: 73 mg | Sodium: 237 mg | Potassium: 187 mg | Fiber: 2 g | Sugar: 30 g | Vitamin A: 934 IU | Vitamin C: 23 mg | Calcium: 61 mg | Iron: 1 mg

Nutritional info is an estimate and provided as courtesy. Values may vary according to the ingredients and tools used. Please use your preferred nutritional calculator for more detailed info.

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: easy strawberry dessert idea, jello dessert recipe, strawberry dessert, strawberry pretzels salad
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