What do you need for strawberry pretzel salad?

To make the classic strawberry pretzel salad recipe , you’ll need salted pretzels, butter, sugar, cream cheese, Cool Whip, strawberry Jell-O, fresh strawberries, and boiling water. A glass 13×9 dish and a mixer also help to get everything just right.

How to keep strawberry pretzel salad from getting soggy after?

The key to preventing sogginess in your strawberry pretzel salad recipe is to let the crust cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer, and to spread that layer all the way to the edges to seal it. This keeps the Jell-O from seeping down and softening the pretzel crust.

How long does strawberry pretzel salad last in the fridge?

Your strawberry pretzel salad recipe can be made ahead and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep it tightly covered to maintain its freshness and texture.

Is pretzel salad a Midwest thing?

Yes! The strawberry pretzel salad recipe is especially popular in the Midwest United States. It’s a staple at potlucks, church suppers, and family gatherings because it combines sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy into one dish that everyone loves.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe — How to Make the Ultimate Dessert

Name: Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe — How to Make the Ultimate Dessert
Prep time: PT-486604H11M51S
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: PT-486605H51M51S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2½ cups salted pretzels, measured before crushing; ¼ cup granulated sugar (for crust); 8 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted; 8 oz cream cheese, softened; ½ cup granulated sugar (for filling); 8 oz Cool Whip, thawed; 6 oz strawberry Jell-O; 2 cups boiling water; 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Description

This strawberry pretzel salad recipe combines a crunchy, buttery pretzel crust, a smooth cream cheese filling, and a sweet strawberry topping. A beautiful, nostalgic Midwest dessert that’s easy to make and perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale

2½ cups salted pretzels, measured before crushing
¼ cup granulated sugar (for crust)
8 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar (for filling)
8 oz Cool Whip, thawed
6 oz strawberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

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Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2️⃣ Crush pretzels in a sealed plastic bag with a rolling pin.

3️⃣ Melt butter in a saucepan, stir in ¼ cup sugar, then mix in crushed pretzels.

4️⃣ Press pretzel mixture into a 13×9 glass dish, bake for 10 minutes, then cool completely.

5️⃣ Beat softened cream cheese and ½ cup sugar until fluffy, then fold in Cool Whip.

6️⃣ Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over cooled crust, sealing edges to prevent leaks. Chill 30 minutes.

7️⃣ Dissolve Jell-O in 2 cups boiling water, let it cool to room temperature. Stir in sliced strawberries.

8️⃣ Pour Jell-O mixture over chilled cream cheese layer and refrigerate for 2–4 hours until set.

9️⃣ Slice and serve cold.

Notes

Use fresh strawberries for best texture; frozen berries may water down the topping.

Cool each layer before adding the next to prevent sogginess.

Crushing pretzels to pea-sized pieces (not crumbs) gives the best crust texture.

Make sure cream cheese is fully softened to avoid lumps.

Dessert keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days if tightly covered.

Optional: drizzle with melted chocolate or garnish with extra berries before serving.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chill Time: 3–4 hours
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Bake & Chill
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: Per Serving
Calories: 338kcal
Sugar: 30 g
Sodium: 354 mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 9 g
Carbohydrates: 47g Carbs
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 4g
Cholesterol: 44 mg