Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad

A sweet and salty pretzel base with a creamy layer topped with sliced strawberries and jello makes a classic Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad recipe.

Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe

Whipped topping, cream cheese and powdered sugar are sandwiched between strawberry slices, jello and a crunchy pretzel layer. The sweet and salty combination is what makes this treat so delicious!

My family enjoys this interesting and colorful dessert all throughout the year. It is often found at Christmas, Easter or a summer picnic. The combination of layers and flavors make a fun surprise and one of the more modern Jello salads.

I like using slices of frozen strawberries instead of whole berries to include fruit in more bites.

A few other popular vintage Jello Salads are Lime Jello Salad with Cottage Cheese, Orange Jello Salad and 7-Up Jello Salad.

For a jello salad with pretzels that is a bit more simple to make checkout our No-Bake Pineapple Pretzel Salad.

Ingredients Needed:

• Pretzels
• Butter
• Brown sugar
• Cream cheese
• Powdered sugar
• Whipped topping
• Strawberry Jello
• Sliced frozen strawberries

Tips & Tricks

• Use fresh pretzels for maximum crunch – I always open a new bag to ensure pretzels are fresh
• Pretzel layer can be made ahead of time, but wait to add additional layers until within 24 hours of serving
• We prefer using frozen sliced berries instead of whole berries for a more even top layer
• Allowing the each of the bottom two layers to cool a bit before adding an additional layer
• Pretzels should be measured after they are crushed
• Use frozen strawberries, do not thaw before adding to boiling water
• Additional whipped topping adds another decorative layer
• Strawberry jello can be substituted for raspberry jello and frozen strawberries can be switched out for frozen raspberries for a fun twist

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Preheat the oven then crush pretzels using a food processor or in a bag with a rolling pin.

Melt butter in a microwave safe bowl, stir in brown sugar and then stir in pretzels. Press into a 9 x 13″ pan.

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Bake for about 5 minutes to help seal the pretzel layer together. Allow to cool.

Next beat softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth. Then mix in powdered sugar. Fold in defrosted whipped topping. Over beating can flatten the whipped topping.

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Then drop by spoonfuls onto cooled pretzel layer. Take care to gently spread out creamy layer so as not to disturb the pretzels.

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I like to chill this layer and stiffen it up before adding dissolved jello. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour if possible.

Dissolve jello in boiling water and whisk to mix well. Stir in frozen strawberry slices and mix until the pieces are all separated.

Carefully pour over the cream cheese and Cool Whip layer. Cover and refrigerate until firm.

Serve and enjoy as soon as possible. This dish is best when enjoyed within 24 – 28 hours.

Can Fresh Strawberries Be Used?

Sure! Slice strawberries and stir into water after gelatin has been dissolved. Then set mixture in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to cool off, but not set-up before carefully pouring over the cream cheese layer.

Can You Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad the Night Before?

For the best strawberry pretzel dessert prepare the pretzel layer the night before. Defrost the whipping topping and have strawberries measured out, but still frozen.

These are all steps that will save time the day of the event and create the freshest possible dessert.

If the entire dessert needs to be prepared and assembled ahead of time know that the pretzel layer gradually softens over time.

More Delicious Desserts in a 9 x 13 Pan

Oreo Dirt Cake has layers of crushed Oreos, cream cheese and vanilla pudding. This can be served in a bucket with a shovel to look like dirt pudding.

Chocolate Delight and Butterscotch Delight are classic pudding and cream cheese layer desserts with a simple crust.

Easy Pumpkin Carrot Cake only takes three simple ingredients to create a moist and super easy cake from a cake mix.