Go Back
–+ servings
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this classic favorite #dessert has a #pretzel crust, #creamcheese layer & a #strawberry jello layer. It's a light dessert that's great for the #holidays.

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

Teresa Ambra
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert is a festive and beautiful dessert-type salad with a pretzel crust, a cream cheese layer, and a strawberry jello layer. It's elegant enough to serve for company or holiday dinners, but so delightful and amazing to the taste buds that your family will request if often! Everyone will want seconds.
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 15
Calories 308 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 9x13" glass baking dish
  • 1 Rolling Pin to crush pretzels
  • 1 zip lock bag WITHOUT the "stand and fill" bottom
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon
  • 1 electric mixer
  • 1 small mixing bowl
  • 1 medium sauce pan
  • aluminum foil
  • 1 spatula to serve
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups crushed pretzels about 10 ounces (measure after crushing)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 3 tbsp. light brown sugar packed
  • 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese softened
  • 16 oz. container cool whip or other non-dairy whipped topping, divided use
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 oz. pkg. strawberry gelatin or two small pkgs.
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 3 cups frozen strawberries thawed

Instructions
 

  • Place pretzels in a zip lock bag; crush with a rolling pin.
  • Mix crushed pretzels, brown sugar and butter in a small mixing bowl.
  • Press into greased 9x13” baking dish and bake at 350° for 10 minutes.
  • Cool completely.
  • (I place in freezer for about 30 minutes to speed cooling time).
  • Mix granulated sugar, cream cheese and half the cool whip in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer and place on cooled pretzel crust.
  • Bring water to a boil in a medium sauce pan over high heat.
  • Add jello and stir until dissolved.
  • Then add strawberries.
  • Stir until thick.
  • If necessary put in freezer for a half hour or so until mixture thickens.
  • Spread over cream cheese layer.
  • Freeze until firm – about 30-45 minutes.
  • Cover with foil (NOT PLASTIC WRAP!!!) Plastic wrap will adhere to the frozen surface and take off the beautiful finish.
  • Refrigerate overnight before serving.
  • If desired, serve with remaining cool whip—either spread over the strawberry layer or dollop on individual servings.

Notes

NOTE: May substitute cans of pie filling for strawberry mixture, although this mixture is really good. I have used raspberry and blueberry pie filling as a substitute for the strawberry-Jello mixture. But I bet you could use fresh blueberries or blackberries and Jello to match and it would be fantastic, too.
 
NOTE: The original name for this recipe calls it a salad. This is really a dessert, NOT a salad!
 
NOTE: Don't use plastic wrap to cover this salad/dessert. It will adhere to the strawberry topping and make a mess. Cover with lid or foil instead.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 6gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 27mgSodium: 317mgPotassium: 148mgFiber: 1gSugar: 32gVitamin A: 317IUVitamin C: 17mgCalcium: 89mgIron: 1mg
Keyword dessert, pretzels, strawberries, strawberry dessert, strawberry salad
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!