Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a fun and tasty treat! It has a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy filling, and sweet strawberry topping that all come together in one delicious dish.
This dessert is great for gatherings! I love how it combines salty and sweet flavors. Plus, it looks so pretty on the table, it’s hard to resist sneaking a piece before serving! 😄
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Pretzels: Crushed pretzels create a delightful salty-sweet crust. If you’re avoiding gluten, try gluten-free pretzels or even crushed almonds for a unique twist.
Cream Cheese: This gives a creamy texture to the salad. You can substitute with Neufchâtel cheese for fewer calories or vegan cream cheese if you’re going dairy-free.
Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipping cream makes the mixture light and fluffy. For a lighter version, you can use half-and-half or a coconut cream for a dairy-free alternative.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are best, but frozen strawberries work too! Just make sure to thaw and drain them well to keep the dish from getting watery.
How Do I Get a Light and Fluffy Cream Cheese Layer?
Creating a smooth and fluffy cream cheese layer is key to this dessert’s success. Start by softening the cream cheese at room temperature. This helps it blend smoothly.
- Use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and sugar until creamy with no lumps.
- Whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks in a separate bowl, ensuring it’s very cold for the best results.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula. This keeps the air in the whipped cream, making your layer fluffy!
Be careful not to overmix, as you want to maintain that light texture.
Delicious Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Crust:
- 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 5 oz)
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Gelatin Topping:
- 2 (3 oz) boxes of strawberry gelatin (Jell-O)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 (10 oz) package fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful Strawberry Pretzel Salad takes approximately 30 minutes to prepare and about 4 hours to chill completely (or overnight for best results). So, it’s great to make ahead of time for gatherings!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepare the Crust:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, 3/4 cup sugar, and melted butter. Mix well until everything is mixed together. Now, press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish to form your crust. Bake it in the oven for about 10 minutes, then remove it and let it cool completely.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar until it’s smooth and creamy. Don’t forget to add in the vanilla extract! In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold this whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until everything is combined and fluffy.
3. Assemble the Salad:
Spread the cream cheese and whipped cream mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Then, pop it in the fridge while you prepare the topping. In a bowl, dissolve the two boxes of strawberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring well until fully dissolved. Let this cool to room temperature, but make sure it doesn’t set!
4. Complete with Strawberries:
Once the gelatin mixture is cool, arrange the sliced strawberries on top of the cream cheese layer in your dish. Carefully pour the cooled gelatin over the strawberries, making sure they’re all covered. Now it’s time to refrigerate! Chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight until the gelatin is nice and firm.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
Finally, when it’s fully set, slice it into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy the delicious combination of the salty pretzel crust, the creamy middle layer, and the sweet strawberry topping! It’s a hit at any gathering!
Can I Use Sugar Substitutes in This Recipe?
Yes! You can use sugar substitutes like Stevia or Erythritol, especially for the cream cheese layer. Just make sure to check the conversion measurements on the package, as they can vary from regular sugar.
How Do I Keep the Pretzel Crust Crunchy?
To maintain crunchiness, avoid letting the cream cheese layer sit on the crust for too long before chilling. Also, serve your Strawberry Pretzel Salad within a day or two for the best texture.
What Can I Use Instead of Fresh Strawberries?
If fresh strawberries aren’t available, you can use frozen strawberries. Just thaw them first and drain any excess liquid to prevent a watery topping. Alternatively, you could use other fruits like raspberries or blueberries!
Can I Make This Dessert Vegan?
Absolutely! Use a vegan cream cheese substitute and coconut cream whipped until fluffy instead of heavy whipping cream. For the gelatin, look for a vegan alternative like agar-agar mixed with water following the same procedure as gelatin.
