Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Name: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 16 servings.
Ingredients: 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 8 ounces); 3/4 cup butter, melted; 3 tablespoons sugar; FILLING:; 2 cups whipped topping; 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1 cup sugar; TOPPING:; 2 packages (3 ounces each) strawberry gelatin; 2 cups boiling water; 2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed; Optional: Additional whipped topping and pretzels

124 reviews

Test Kitchen Approved

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. Bake: 10 min. + chilling

Makes

16 servings

Updated: May. 24, 2023

Need to bring a dish to pass this weekend? This make-ahead strawberry pretzel salad will disappear quickly at any potluck. —Aldene Belch, Flint, Michigan

Ingredients

2 cups crushed pretzels (about 8 ounces)
3/4 cup butter, melted
3 tablespoons sugar
FILLING:
2 cups whipped topping
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
1 cup sugar
TOPPING:
2 packages (3 ounces each) strawberry gelatin
2 cups boiling water
2 packages (16 ounces each) frozen sweetened sliced strawberries, thawed
Optional: Additional whipped topping and pretzels

Directions

In a bowl, combine the pretzels, butter and sugar. Press into an ungreased 13x9-in. baking dish. Bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
For filling, in a small bowl, beat whipped topping, cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Spread over pretzel crust. Refrigerate until chilled.
For topping, dissolve gelatin in boiling water in a large bowl. Stir in sweetened strawberries; chill until partially set. Carefully spoon over filling. Chill until firm, 4-6 hours. Cut into squares; if desired, serve with additional whipped topping and pretzels.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad Tips

What kind of pretzels should you use to make strawberry pretzel salad?

Salted pretzels are the way to go when making strawberry pretzel salad (or strawberry pretzel dessert, if you prefer to call it that). The salty pretzels and sweet whipped topping and strawberries make this treat so craveable. Make sure you have enough crushed pretzels for your 13x9 by measuring after you crush them—not before. Use a food scale to measure 8 oz. if you want to be sure!

Can you make your own whipped cream instead of using frozen whipped topping?

You can make your own whipped cream for strawberry pretzel salad, but we recommend sticking to a whipped topping like Cool Whip. Homemade whipped cream doesn't hold up as long, and can get weepy after a day or so—muddying the layers as leftovers sit in the fridge.

How can you make sure the layers of strawberry pretzel salad don't mix?

To keep those beautiful layers of strawberry pretzel salad sharp and separate, take care to spread the cream cheese layer all the way to the edges of the dish before you pop it into the fridge. If there are any gaps, the strawberry jello layer will leak down to the bottom.

How can you make strawberry pretzel salad your own?

Try adding chopped, toasted nuts (such as toasted pecans) to the pretzel layer for a little more flavor. Otherwise, make it into peach pretzel salad by using peach gelatin and frozen peaches instead of strawberry gelatin and frozen strawberries. If you can't get enough of this dish come summertime, try these other strawberry pretzel salad-inspired dessert recipes.

—Lauren Pahmeier, Taste of Home Associate Editor

Nutrition Facts

1 piece: 295 calories, 15g fat (10g saturated fat), 39mg cholesterol, 305mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.