Strawberry Pretzel Salad consists of strawberries, Jello and sweetened cream cheese layered over a crunchy pretzel crust. This old-time favorite is perfect for showers, potluck dinners and springtime celebrations!
The kids and I were going through some of their baby pictures the other day. One of the girls had to bring a few older pictures for a school project, and before I knew it, the other kids joined in, and we were knee-deep in a sea of nostalgia. It’s hard to believe my babies were that small — sniff, sniff!
Anyway, all of the reminiscing made me think of strawberry pretzel salad — amazing how the mind works! It was served at one of my baby showers, and I thought it was one of the best things I’d ever tasted. I don’t even remember anything else that was served, but I do remember this!
The kids didn’t even remember having this, so I thought it would be the perfect time to try it out.
If you’ve never had this dish before, the name is just slightly misleading. It really isn’t a salad at all, and it really is more like a dessert. But, it’s got strawberries, cream cheese, whipped topping and Jello. In other words — all things light, fluffy and fruity, so it’s perfect for spring.
It’s also super easy to make and to transport. So, if you’ve got a shower, potluck dinner or any type of spring or summer celebration coming up, this sweet and salty salad would be well received!
You make the pretzel crust first. You can use a blender or food processor to chop the pretzels or even crush them in a zip-top bag if you want. Then, you press it into a baking dish and bake it for a few minutes until it’s slightly crispy.
After it cools, you slather on the layer of sweetened cream cheese, and let it chill out for a little while.
The final layer consists of frozen strawberries mixed in strawberry Jello, and the end result is just gorgeous. I just love the colorful layers!
How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- For the Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup butter melted
- For the Top Layers
- 1 8- oz package of cream cheese softnened
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 1 8- oz tub of whipped topping like Cool Whip
- 2 10- oz packages of frozen strawberries
- 1 6- oz package of strawberry gelatin or Jello
- 2 cups boiling water
- Mix the pretzels, sugar and cinnamon with the melted butter
- Press into a lightly greased 13 x 9-in baking dish
- Bake at 400 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or until firm and crisp. Allow to cool
- Mix the cream cheese and sugar until creamy, and fold in whipped topping
- Carefully spread over the pretzel layer, and refrigerate
- In a large bowl, mix the gelatin with the boiling water until dissolved, and let cool slightly
- Mix the frozen strawberries into the the Jello, and stir until it starts to thicken
- Pour over cream cheese layer
- Refrigerate until ready to serve
So, this isn’t exactly what you would call a healthy salad, but it’s one of those classic retro recipes that’s definitely worth trying. And if you grew up on strawberry pretzel salad and haven’t had it in a long time, one bite will take you back.
I hadn’t had this since my shower, and tasted exactly as I remembered — yum!
Happy Munching,
Sharing At
Wow Us Wednesday, Thoughts of Home, Weekend Potluck, TT&J, The Scoop, Met Monday
YUMMY! I have three family Easter celebrations this year, and two of them I am responsible for providing the dessert! Guess what one of them will be? 🙂 Thank you for sharing at the Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop!
Thanks so much! It’s delicious. 🙂
I can never decide is this a salad or a dessert?? What makes it a salad? To me it is really a dessert. One of my favorites.
It’s one of the few “salads” my picky kids will willingly eat, but I agree that it’s definitely dessert! 🙂
Dee, I love this recipe. In fact, I am often asked to bring it to parties.
How did you get it to cut so beautifully? That has been one of my challenges.
Hey, we have a recipe sharing party going right now on my blog.
Come by and share this?
Sinea ♥
Thanks, Sinea. I think I got lucky with the crust, but it was really easy to cut, so that made me happy! 🙂
I don’t think I’ve ever had this but the recipe has been in my box for 20 years. I’m definitely going to give your recipe a try. You can’t go wrong with those ingredients and it sounds perfect for a hot day. Pinning.
So glad you joined Thoughts of Home on Thursday this week. 🙂
Thanks, Stacey. It’s so simple, but so good!
This looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing at Freedom Fridays.
We all loved it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
This looks super tasty! I bet the salty pretzel crust is a great complement for the sweet cream cheese and strawberry layers. Yum!
That’s such a wonderful description, and it’s absolutely correct! 🙂
Yum, this looks so tasty!
Thanks, Kelly. It really is! 🙂
Your strawberry salad looks very appetizing. I am sure that I’ll love it. I’m trying to come up with no-sugar desserts or snacks to make for my toddler granddaughter. She would rather eat snacks and sweets all the time so my daughter is cutting out her sugary foods. I wonder what the total sugar is for this. It looks so good.
Thanks, Angie. I’m not sure what the exact sugar count is, but even thought my kids are past the toddler stage, I only gave them a small amount each. It’s more of a treat.
I have made this using sugar free jello,lite whipped topping and low fat cream cheese. It turned out pretty good
That sounds good to me, Dorrie. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Thank you for sharing this! My mother used to make it and I can’t find it in her recipes. I have a pot luck to go to on Monday and you can be sure I’m bringing this!!
Thanks, Lisa! I hate it when I can’t find a family recipe. I hope everyone enjoys it! 🙂
I can taste this one already, oh yes! Hope you have a very special week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Miz Helen
Saw your link up at the Merry Monday Link Party and had to stop by your blog. I LOVE this dessert, but had forgotten about it. Thanks for the tasty reminder!
Thans so much, Ali! I love bringing back the oldies but goodies. 🙂
Love this dessert, always so hard to stop eating!!
I know, but it sure is good! 🙂
After added strawberries,never thickened..a bit soupy,hope will serve well!
Hmmm. Were the strawberries frozen? Hopefully, it thickened up more in the fridge.
Can I make this the night before?
Yes! It’s perfect the next day. 🙂
How far in advance do you think this can be made? I know you said the night before but do you think 2 or 3 days is pushing it (quality-wise)? Thanks!
The crust gets a little soggy the longer it sits, but It’s never lasted more than 2 days around here. It wasn’t bad by then, though. 🙂