Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe is old fashioned retro dessert HEAVEN! With 8 simple ingredients, it brings the perfect mix of fruity freshness, a tangy cream cheese filling, and salty crunch to the table. It's a true favorite among so many friends and family members!

A holiday meal isn't complete until old fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe is on the table! This dessert, that's as easy to eat as it is to whip up, has been a part of every family holiday get-together for my entire life, thanks to my Aunt Marilyn.

With its buttery crushed pretzel crust, rich cream cheese layer, and fruity strawberry Jello topping, this retro dessert is perfect for any gathering and is sure to bring a taste of nostalgia to the table. It has 8 basic ingredients and is an excellent make-ahead go-to dessert.

Whether it’s a family gathering, potluck, or summer BBQ, this retro dessert jello salads like this one will surely impress your guests! Bring back even more yummy dessert memories with this Fruit Cocktail Cake, Tomato Soup Cake, or Oatmeal Cake.

Why You'll Like This Recipe

• Sweet and Salty Combo: The crunchy, salty pretzel crust provides a salty contrast to the sweet layers, creating a perfect balance of flavors.
• Retro Charm: This nostalgic recipe is a classic, bringing back memories of family dinners and holiday tables.
• Creamy and Fruity: The creamy layer balances the tangy strawberries and adds richness to the dessert.
• Crowd Pleaser: This delicious dessert or side dish is a hit with both kids and adults, making it perfect for potluck dinners, family gatherings, or celebrations.
• Wonderful Make-Ahead Dish: Strawberry pretzel dessert is easy to prepare in advance and tastes even better after chilling in the fridge for a few hours.

Ingredients

Scroll Down for Ingredient Amounts Listed in the Printable Recipe Card Below

Jello Layer:

• Pineapple Juice: Adds a subtle tropical sweetness and depth to the strawberry flavor.
• Strawberry Jello: Provides the classic fruity, strawberry gelatin layer that holds everything together.
• Frozen Sliced Strawberries in Syrup: Enhances the fruity flavor and adds texture to the Jello layer.

Pretzel Layer:

• Crushed Pretzels: Salty pretzels are the base of the dish. They provide a crunchy, savory contrast to the sweet filling.
• Salted Butter: Helps bind the crust together and adds richness.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness to balance the saltiness of the pretzels.

Cream Cheese Layer:

• Cream Cheese: Gives the dish its creamy, tangy filling that complements the sweet strawberry topping.
• Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cream cheese layer for a smooth, rich taste.
• Cool Whip or Fresh Whipped Cream: Whipped topping lightens up the cream cheese mixture, making it fluffy and easy to spread.

Topping:

• Fresh Strawberry Slices: Fresh berries add a burst of color and extra strawberry flavor to the finished dish.

Tools You'll Need

• Mixing Bowls
• Hand Mixer 
• Whisk
• Rubber Spatula
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cups
• 13”x9” Baking Dish

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Strawberry Jello Layer

1. In a saucepan over medium high heat or in the microwave, bring the pineapple juice to a boil. Transfer to a large bowl. Stir in both strawberry jello packages until fully dissolved. 
2. Fold in the thawed frozen strawberries. Refrigerate the mixture for 1 hour.

Crust Layer

1. In a bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar. Press the pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 13"x9" baking dish. Bake in a preheated 350˚F oven for 10 minutes, then let it cool completely.

Cream Cheese Layer

1. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth. 
2. Fold in the Cool Whip (or fresh whipped cream) until well combined. Spread this mixture over the cooled crust, making sure to spread it all the way to the edges to seal the layer.

3. Gently pour the strawberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer and spread evenly. Place the sliced fresh strawberries on top. Cover with a lid or with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until the jello is set. 

4. Slice and serve!

Southern Cook Expert Tips and Substitutions

• How to Crush Pretzels: You can crush pretzels by either placing them in a ziploc bag and hitting with a rolling pin or you can pulse them in a food processor a few times to your desired consistency.
• Swap the Jello Flavor: For a different twist, you can use raspberry or cherry Jello instead of strawberry.
• Fresh Whipped Cream: If you prefer, make fresh whipped cream by whipping 1 ½ cups of heavy cream, ¼ cup powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form, then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.
• Add Nuts: For extra crunch, sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cream cheese layer.
• Make It Lighter: Use reduced-fat cream cheese and sugar-free Jello for a lighter version of this dessert.
• Pretzel Crust Alternative: Combine 1-⅓ cups graham cracker crumbs (12 full sheets), ½ cup melted butter, and 3 tablespoons white sugar. Press firmly into a 13”x9” pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Use gluten-free pretzels or graham crackers and ensure your gelatin brand is gluten-free for a fully gluten-free dessert.
• Frozen Strawberries in Syrup Alternative: If you can't find this product in your freezer section at your grocery store, you can slice 1 pound fresh strawberries or thaw one pound of frozen sliced strawberries and mix with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar. Allow the berries to rest for 20 minutes, then mix to the gelatin layer as the recipe states.

Storage Instructions

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The pretzel crust may soften slightly over time, but the flavors will still be delicious.

Freezing is not recommended, as the texture of the Jello and cream cheese layers can be affected.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Nostalgic Desserts

• Old Fashioned Tea Cakes
• Blackberry Dumplings
• Apple Roll
• Strawberry Jam Cake