It’s called Strawberry Pretzel Salad, but it is really a dessert. There are three delicious layers that come together and satisfy your sweet and salty cravings at the same time. How is that even possible? Let me tell you! The bottom layer is an easy-to-make pretzel crust. That’s the salty. The middle layer is a fluffy layer made with whipped dairy topping and cream cheese. Top it all off with a layer of sweet strawberries and strawberry gelatin.

I was introduced to this pretzel Jello dessert at a potluck. This is my first time making it for myself. I thought this would make a pretty Valentine’s Day dessert because of the red strawberries. I would call it a no-bake dessert, except that you do have to bake the pretzel crust for 10 minutes. The strawberry and cream layers are no bake.

The pretzel crust needs time to cool before you layer on the creamy middle layer. And then you need to let those 2 layers set in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes before adding the strawberry Jello top layer. And THEN the whole thing needs to set in the refrigerator at least an hour in order for the Jello to set properly before serving. Once it is ready to serve, slice it into squares or triangles like a pie.

So a Strawberry Pretzel Salad is really not hard to make. There’s just a little bit of downtime waiting for the layers to cool and set before you can actually enjoy your dessert!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 and 3/4 cups pretzels, crushed finely in a food processor
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 4 Tablespoons Sugar
• 1 package cream cheese (8 oz)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tub frozen whipped topping (8 oz. Cool Whip), thawed
• 2 small (3 oz) boxes of strawberry gelatin (Jello)
• 2 cups boiling water
• 1 (16 oz) bag frozen strawberries

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter and 4 T. sugar in a bowl. Press mixture into an even layer in a 9×13 baking dish.

2. Bake pretzel crust for 10-12 minutes until lightly toasted. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.

3. Combine cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a mixing bowl. Mix well. Fold in whipped topping.

4. Spread an even layer on top of the pretzel crust. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set.

5. Bring 2 cups of water to boil. Stir in gelatin until fully dissolved. Add frozen strawberries and continue to stir on medium low heat for about 5 minutes.

6. Carefully spread strawberry Jello layer on top of the creamy layer. Refrigerate until set (at least an hour).

Have you ever had a pretzel jello dessert? Do you crave salty and sweet? This pretzel strawberry dessert could be the one for you! Let me know what you think if you try it.