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A slice of strawberry pretzel salad dessert topped with whipped cream, a pretzel, and a strawberry half, served on a white plate with more strawberry pretzel salad and fresh strawberries in the background.
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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Layers of pretzels, cream cheese, and berries make this a party favorite. Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the retro dessert everyone secretly loves.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 40 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16 Servings
Calories: 256kcal
Author: Laura

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 1 pkg pretzel twists (enough for 2 ½ cups crushed)
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
  • ¼ cup sugar

For the cream cheese layer:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • ¾ cup sugar
  • 8 oz frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

For the strawberry layer:

  • 16 oz sliced strawberries
  • 6 oz strawberry Jello mix
  • 2 cups water

Optional toppings:

  • Additional strawberries
  • Additional pretzels
  • Additional whipped topping

Instructions

Prepare the crust:

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
  • Spray a 13x9-inch baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside
  • Use a food processor to crush pretzels into coarse crumbs (about 2 ½ cups)
    A glass bowl filled with a crumbly oat mixture sits on a white marble surface, reminiscent of the sweet layers found in strawberry pretzel salad.
  • In a medium bowl, mix crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar
    A glass bowl containing sugar, chopped nuts, butter, and egg on a white marble surface—classic ingredients for the perfect strawberry pretzel salad base.
  • Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared dish
    A glass baking dish filled with an even layer of oat and crumb mixture, reminiscent of the crust in a classic strawberry pretzel salad, sits on a white marble surface.
  • Bake for 10 minutes, then allow to cool completely

Make the cream cheese layer:

  • In a stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth
    A stainless steel mixing bowl containing whipped cream cheese and vanilla extract sits on a white marble surface, ready to become the creamy layer for a classic strawberry pretzel salad.
  • Fold in the whipped topping until fully combined
    A metal mixing bowl filled with thick, white whipped cream—perfect for topping a classic strawberry pretzel salad—sits on a white marble surface.
  • Spread evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, sealing to the edges
    A glass baking dish filled with strawberry pretzel salad, topped with a smooth layer of white frosting, sits on a white marble surface.
  • Chill for at least 30 minutes

Make the strawberry layer:

  • In a saucepan, bring 2 cups of water to a boil
    A stainless steel saucepan filled with water sits on a white marble countertop, ready to help prepare ingredients for strawberry pretzel salad.
  • Remove from heat and stir in strawberry Jello mix until dissolved
  • Allow the Jello to cool to room temperature
    A stainless steel saucepan filled with red liquid, perfect for making strawberry pretzel salad, sits on a white marble surface.

Assemble the salad:

  • Remove the chilled baking dish from the fridge
  • Slice strawberries and layer them evenly over the cream cheese mixture
  • Pour cooled Jello gently over the berries
    Close-up of sliced strawberries in a glossy red gelatin dessert, reminiscent of a classic strawberry pretzel salad.
  • Chill for 3–4 hours or until fully set

To serve:

  • Top with whipped topping, additional berries, and pretzels if desired
    A slice of strawberry pretzel salad dessert topped with whipped cream, a half strawberry, and a pretzel on a white plate, with a bowl of strawberries and a tray of strawberry pretzel salad in the background.

Video

Notes

Storage: 
  • Store covered in the fridge for up to 2 days

Nutrition

Serving: 1 Servings | Calories: 256kcal | Carbohydrates: 28g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 80mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 27g | Vitamin A: 470IU | Vitamin C: 17mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 0.2mg