Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Old Fashioned Recipe!) (2024)

This strawberry pretzel salad is an old fashioned dessert that never gets old! From the sweet and salty pretzel crust to the layers of cream cheese and strawberry jello, it’s a creamy and delicious dessert dish that is perfect for any potluck or party!

What is Strawberry Pretzel Salad?

Strawberry pretzel salad is actually not so much a salad, it is more of a layered dessert recipe. I am a sucker for sweet and salty combination desserts and with the addition of cream cheese and fresh strawberry fruit flavors, it is absolutely a classic summer dessert!

To start, you’ll use pretzels, sugar, and melted butter to make a crunchy sweet and salty crust. Then comes the creamy layer; a mix of cream cheese and cool whip. Finally, it’s topped off with the fruity flavor of strawberry jello mixed with freshly sliced strawberries.

This recipe is so simple to make. It’s a perfect ending to a family meal or a great dish to pass at a potluck or gathering. People always rave about this dessert. If only they knew just how quick and easy it is. It’s cool and refreshing, yet creamy and rich! The perfect combination for any dessert.

What is Pretzel Salad made of?

• 2 ½ cups of pretzels, crushed
• 1 ½ cups sugar, divided
• ¾ cups butter, melted
• 12 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 12 ounces cool whip (thawed in the refrigerator)
• 3 to 4 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 6 ounces strawberry jello (2 packages 6-ounces total) note: you can use sugar-free if you like
• 2 cups water, boiled

Jello Pretzel Salad substitutions and additions

Jello: If you like, you could change the flavor of this salad altogether, by switching up the jello flavor. Some other jello flavors that would be delicious in a pretzel salad include cherry, raspberry, strawberry banana, or lime.

Fruit: If you’re changing up the jello flavor in your recipe, you might also want to change up the fruit. Strawberries would still be great with strawberry-banana jello, but if you’re changing the jello to a flavor like raspberry you might want to use raspberries in place of the strawberries.

How to make this Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

1. Preheat oven: to 350 degrees.
2. Make the crust: Combine in a medium bowl, crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
3. Make the Jello: In a medium bowl, mix boiling water and jello. Stir until jello is completely dissolved. Stir in sliced strawberries. Chill in the fridge until the jello is partially set (for about 1 hour.)
4. Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, remaining sugar, and vanilla, until well combined. Fold in the cool whip.
5. Layer: Spread the cream cheese mixture on top of the pretzel crust, (make sure it completely covers the crust and touches the sides of the pan). Let chill in the fridge for a few minutes)
6. Layer the Jello: Carefully pour or spoon the strawberry jello over the top of the cream cheese mixture. Cover and refrigerate until the jello and dish are firm (about 3-4 hours).

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert tips

• To crush your pretzels and easy way, place them in a Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin, wooden spoon, or your hand to crush them!
• Be sure to spread the cream cheese layer all of the ways to the edges of the pretzel crust. This will keep the jello from seeping through and making the crust soggy or mushy.
• When serving your strawberry pretzel salad, if you have any extra cool whip you can top each serving with an extra dollop of whip cream.
• This dish is meant to be served cold so the longer it can be in the refrigerator the better. You can keep it up to 3 days in the fridge.
• We always prefer using fresh fruit, but you can use frozen strawberries if you are in a crunch!

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert FAQs

Tips for the Perfect Crust

To achieve a stable and delicious crust for your strawberry pretzel salad, please follow these important tips.

• Sufficient binding: Make sure you’re using the correct amount of melted butter or other binding ingredients, like sugar, in the crust mixture. Too little butter can lead to a crumbly crust that doesn’t stick together.
• Pressing the crust: When making a pretzel crust, it’s important to press the mixture down firmly and evenly to ensure it stays intact when you slice and serve the salad.
• Overbaking the crust: If the crust is overbaked, it can become too dry and crumbly, causing it to fall apart when you add the layers on top. To prevent this, keep a close eye on the crust while baking and remove it from the oven when it’s just lightly golden.
• Proper cooling: Allowing the crust to cool completely before adding the other layers is crucial. If the crust is still warm, the filling may seep into it and cause it to become soggy or fall apart when cutting.
• Too much moisture in the filling: If the filling layers are too moist, they can cause the crust to become soggy and fall apart. Make sure your cream cheese layer is thick enough to act as a barrier between the crust and the strawberry layer and drain any excess liquid from the strawberries before adding them to the salad.

How to store Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad

To store strawberry pretzel salad properly, follow these steps:

1. Cover: Once the salad has set, cover it with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to protect it from absorbing odors and drying out.
2. Refrigerate: Store the covered salad in the refrigerator to maintain its freshness and prevent the layers from becoming too soft or melting.
3. Container: If you need to transport the salad or prefer not to store it in its original dish, transfer it to an airtight container before refrigerating. This will help preserve its freshness and prevent it from drying out.
4. Storage duration: Strawberry pretzel salad is best enjoyed within 2-3 days of preparation. Over time, the crust may start to soften and the flavors may diminish.

When you’re ready to serve the salad again, simply remove it from the refrigerator and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before cutting and serving.

Make sure to put it back in the fridge (or freezer) in between servings, you are bringing this to a potluck or serving it at a gathering. If the cream cheese layer melts, it will lose its form and become a huge mess.

How to Freeze Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Freezing strawberry pretzel salad is possible, but texture and quality may change.

To freeze, use a freezer-safe dish, set in the refrigerator, wrap tightly, and freeze up to one month. To serve, thaw in the fridge, blot excess moisture, and let it sit at room temperature briefly. Note that it’s best enjoyed fresh within a few days, stored in the refrigerator.

More Strawberry Desserts

Strawberry Crisp | Skinny Strawberry Cake | Strawberry Shortcake Trifle | No Bake Strawberry Cheesecake | Fruit Salsa with Cinnamon Chips | Cheesecake Stuffed Strawberries | Strawberry Lemonade Cream Cheese Cookies | Strawberry Fluff Salad | Strawberry Swirl Cheesecake | Strawberry Shortcake Trifle