Old Fashioned Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe

Introduction

Old Fashioned Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is a nostalgic dessert that perfectly balances sweet, tart, and salty flavors. With a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy cream cheese layer, and a fresh strawberry Jello topping, it’s a refreshing treat for gatherings and family dinners.

Ingredients

• 2 ½ cups pretzel twists (measure before crushing)
• ¾ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• ¼ cup sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
• ½ cup sugar
• 8 ounces frozen whipped topping (thawed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 16 ounces sliced strawberries
• 6 ounces strawberry Jello mix
• 2 cups water
• Additional strawberries (for decoration)
• Additional pretzels (for decoration)
• Additional whipped topping (for decoration)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 13×9-inch baking dish and set aside.
2. Step 2: Using a food processor, crush the pretzels until you have 2 ½ cups of finely crushed pieces. Transfer to a medium bowl.
3. Step 3: Add melted butter and ¼ cup sugar to the crushed pretzels. Mix well to combine.
4. Step 4: Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to form the crust.
5. Step 5: Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and allow it to cool completely before adding the cream cheese layer.
6. Step 6: In a stand mixer bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy.
7. Step 7: Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until fully incorporated.
8. Step 8: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, reaching all the edges to prevent Jello from seeping through. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
9. Step 9: Meanwhile, prepare the Jello by bringing 2 cups of water to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat, add the strawberry Jello mix, and whisk until dissolved. Let it cool to room temperature.
10. Step 10: Once the cream cheese layer is chilled, layer the sliced strawberries evenly on top.
11. Step 11: Carefully pour the cooled Jello over the strawberries, covering them completely.
12. Step 12: Refrigerate the dish for 3 to 4 hours, or until the Jello is fully set.
13. Step 13: Before serving, decorate with additional whipped topping, strawberries, and pretzels as desired.

Tips & Variations

• Measure pretzels before crushing to get the correct amount for the crust; crushed pretzels compact easily.
• For a little extra crunch, sprinkle some crushed pretzels on top just before serving.
• Try substituting fresh raspberries or blueberries for strawberries for a different flavor.
• Use a hand mixer if you don’t have a stand mixer to blend the cream cheese layer smoothly.

Storage

Store the salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep it chilled to maintain the Jello’s firmness and the cream cheese layer’s texture. Reheating is not recommended; serve it cold for the best taste and texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use fresh strawberries instead of frozen whipped topping?

The whipped topping provides the creamy texture essential to this dessert’s balance. Fresh strawberries add flavor but don’t replace the fluffy texture of whipped topping. Use fresh strawberries sliced for layering and decoration, but keep the whipped topping for the cream cheese layer.

What can I do if my Jello doesn’t set properly?

Make sure the Jello mixture cools to room temperature before pouring it over the cream cheese layer. If it’s too warm, it can cause the cream cheese layer to melt and affect setting. Also, refrigerate it for the full 3-4 hours to allow proper firming.

Old Fashioned Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe

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Old Fashioned Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy cream cheese topping, fresh strawberries, and a strawberry Jello layer. This retro favorite balances sweet, salty, and tart flavors, making it perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

• Author: lina
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Crust

• 2 ½ cups pretzel twists, crushed
• ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¼ cup sugar

Cream Cheese Layer

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed

Jello Layer

• 16 ounces sliced strawberries
• 6 ounces strawberry Jello mix (1 package)
• 2 cups water

For Decoration (Optional)

• Additional strawberries
• Additional pretzels
• Additional whipped topping

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 13×9 inch baking dish with non-stick spray. Set aside for later.
2. Crush Pretzels: Using a food processor, crush pretzel twists until you measure 2 ½ cups of crushed pretzels. Transfer to a medium bowl.
3. Mix Crust Ingredients: Add melted butter and ¼ cup sugar to the crushed pretzels. Stir until well combined.
4. Form Crust: Press this pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, forming a solid crust layer.
5. Bake Crust: Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. After baking, remove and allow it to cool completely before adding the next layer.
6. Prepare Cream Cheese Layer: In a stand mixer bowl, combine softened cream cheese, ½ cup sugar, and vanilla extract. Mix on low speed until smooth and creamy.
7. Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold the thawed whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated.
8. Spread Cream Cheese Layer: Evenly spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust, pushing it all the way to the edges to prevent the Jello from seeping through. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to set.
9. Make Jello Mixture: In a small saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Remove from heat and stir in the strawberry Jello mix until completely dissolved. Allow the mixture to cool to room temperature.
10. Add Strawberry Layer: Remove the chilled baking dish from the refrigerator. Slice strawberries and arrange them evenly over the cream cheese layer.
11. Pour Jello Layer: Slowly pour the cooled, but still liquid, Jello mixture over the sliced strawberries, ensuring even coverage.
12. Chill and Set: Refrigerate the salad for 3 to 4 hours or until the Jello layer is fully set and firm.
13. Serve: Optionally garnish with dollops of whipped topping, additional strawberries, and pretzels before serving. Enjoy this refreshing, sweet, and salty dessert!

Notes

• Make sure the pretzel crust is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to avoid melting it.
• Press the cream cheese layer to the edges of the pan to prevent the Jello from seeping through and softening the crust.
• Allow Jello to cool to room temperature before pouring to keep the whipped topping from melting.
• Use fresh strawberries for best texture and appearance in the topping layer.
• This dessert is best served chilled and eaten within 2 days for optimal freshness.

Keywords: Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad, Layered Dessert, Pretzel Crust, Cream Cheese Salad, Summer Dessert, Party Dessert