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!
Old fashioned strawberry pretzel salad made with strawberry Jello and fresh or frozen strawberries is an easy dessert or side dish that’s perfect for potlucks, holidays or family gatherings. You’ll love this classic salty and sweet recipe!
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 an old fashioned strawberry pretzel salad recipe — 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 dish!
The kids didn’t even remember having strawberry pretzel salad, so I thought it would be the perfect time to try it out.
What is Strawberry Pretzel Salad?
If you’ve never had this dish before, the name is just slightly misleading. It really isn’t a salad like we know today. It’s a congealed salad made with Jello gelatin and fruit, and it really is more like a dessert. But, it’s got strawberries, cream cheese, Cool Whip whipped topping and Jello. In other words — all things light, fluffy and fruity, so it’s perfect for spring — or summer, or fall or winter holidays!
It’s also super easy to make ahead of time and to transport. So, if you’ve got a shower, potluck dinner or any type of celebration coming up, this sweet and salty Jello salad would be a perfect choice! received!
How to make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
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 mix in a few other ingredients, and press it into a baking dish and bake it for a few minutes until it’s slightly crispy.
After the pretzel crust cools, you slather on the layer of sweetened cream cheese, and let it chill out for a little while.
The final layer consists of fresh or frozen strawberries mixed in strawberry Jello, and the end result is just gorgeous. I just love the colorful layers!
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!
Can you make strawberry pretzel salad with fresh strawberries?
Yes, you can use fresh or frozen strawberries or slice and freeze fresh berries before assembling the Jello layer. Frozen berries help the Jello layer set faster.
Can you refrigerate strawberry pretzel salad overnight?
Yes you can. It’s best eaten within 2 days — before the pretzel layer starts to get soft.
More Jello salad recipes
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 2 tablespoons white sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 3/4 cup butter melted
Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz package of cream cheese softnened
- 3/4 cup white sugar
- 8 oz tub of whipped topping like Cool Whip
Strawberry Jello Layer
- 2 10- oz packages of frozen strawberries
- 6 oz package of Jello strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
Instructions
Pretzel Crust
- Mix the crushed 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
Cream Cheese Layer
- Mix the cream cheese and sugar until creamy, and fold in whipped topping
- Carefully spread over the pretzel layer, making sure to cover the entire layer all the way to the edges of the baking dish, and refrigerate until firm
Strawberry Jello Layer
- 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 evenly over cream cheese layer
- Refrigerate until Jello is set and firm ( 2 hours to overnight), and keep refrigerated until ready to serve
Notes
Nutrition
I hope you enjoy this easy strawberry pretzel salad as much as we do!
Yessica says
Simply amazing! This is one of my go to desserts for potlucks! It’s always a hit and people asking for the recipe!
Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says
This couldn’t look any more perfect! This looks absolutely delicious! Yummy!
Megan Ancheta says
Mmmm…. I can just taste it now! This looks so delicious!
Dee says
Thanks so much, Megan! It’s a favorite of ours. 🙂
Cathy says
This is always such a hit!
Steph says
This is the best!! My husband will eat the whole tray if he could!
Dee says
I know exactly what you mean — My husband would do the same!
Melanie Bauer says
This look beyond delicious! I’m totally drooling over this goodness, definitely gotta make this!
Dee says
I hope you get a chance to try it! 🙂
Lora says
What a bright and fun dish to enjoy for a shower or party!
Kimberly says
Such a delicious sweet-salty classic and something about that strawberry pairing…yum!
Sarah says
Can I make this the night before?
Dee says
Yes! It’s perfect the next day. 🙂
Stefanie says
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!
Dee says
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. 🙂
Megan Chamberlin says
Love this dessert, always so hard to stop eating!!
Dee says
I know, but it sure is good! 🙂
Pat says
After added strawberries,never thickened..a bit soupy,hope will serve well!
Dee says
Hmmm. Were the strawberries frozen? Hopefully, it thickened up more in the fridge.
Ali @ Home Crafts by Ali says
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!
Dee says
Thans so much, Ali! I love bringing back the oldies but goodies. 🙂
Miz Helen says
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
Lisa says
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!!
Dee says
Thanks, Lisa! I hate it when I can’t find a family recipe. I hope everyone enjoys it! 🙂
Angie says
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.
Dee says
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.
Dorrie says
I have made this using sugar free jello,lite whipped topping and low fat cream cheese. It turned out pretty good
Dee says
That sounds good to me, Dorrie. Thanks for sharing your tips!
Kelly says
Yum, this looks so tasty!
Dee says
Thanks, Kelly. It really is! 🙂
CakePants says
This looks super tasty! I bet the salty pretzel crust is a great complement for the sweet cream cheese and strawberry layers. Yum!
Dee says
That’s such a wonderful description, and it’s absolutely correct! 🙂
Anita says
This looks so yummy. Thanks for sharing at Freedom Fridays.
Dee says
We all loved it! Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Stacey says
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. 🙂
Dee says
Thanks, Stacey. It’s so simple, but so good!
Ducks n a Row says
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 ♥
Dee says
Thanks, Sinea. I think I got lucky with the crust, but it was really easy to cut, so that made me happy! 🙂
Annie says
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.
Dee says
It’s one of the few “salads” my picky kids will willingly eat, but I agree that it’s definitely dessert! 🙂
CD Loken says
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!
Dee says
Thanks so much! It’s delicious. 🙂