Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This iconic strawberry pretzel salad is a beloved potluck dessert that perfectly balances sweet, salty, and creamy in every single layer. It is built on a crunchy buttery pretzel crust topped with a silky cream cheese layer and finished with a bright strawberry gelatin topping.
A classic and beloved potluck dessert with a salty pretzel crust and a sweet strawberry cream cheese filling.
Nutrition per serving
Ingredients
Crust
Filling
Topping
Instructions
Make the Pretzel Crust
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix the crushed pretzels with the melted butter and press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes then allow to cool completely before adding the next layer.
Make the Cream Cheese Layer
Beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together with a hand mixer until the mixture is completely smooth and fluffy. Spread this cream cheese filling carefully over the fully cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal the edges completely to prevent the gelatin from seeping under.
Prepare the Gelatin Topping
Dissolve the strawberry gelatin powder in two cups of boiling water and stir for two minutes until fully dissolved. Add one cup of cold water and let the gelatin cool at room temperature for 20 minutes until it just begins to thicken slightly. Fold in the sliced fresh strawberries.
Assemble and Set
Carefully pour the slightly thickened strawberry gelatin over the cream cheese layer, making sure it covers the surface completely. Refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight until the gelatin is fully set before slicing and serving cold.
Substitutions
Common mistakes
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