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This strawberry jello salad is the dreamy centerpiece you’ll remake for any gathering. Sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy, this retro classic still holds up!
Whether it’s a spring picnic, summer potluck, or a holiday party, there’s always room for something sweet and nostalgic on the table.
This strawberry pretzel jello salad is a delight from top to bottom, and it’s just as easy to make as it is to love.
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When life gives you strawberries, bake a strawberry spoon cake or strawberry peach cobbler! Your mood will thank you.
Why You’ll Love This Strawberry Jello Salad Recipe
- With its beautiful layers, this strawberry pretzel salad makes a great low-effort centerpiece for any holiday gathering.
- This strawberry pretzel jello salad is the perfect nostalgic dessert to please a crowd of all ages.
- This strawberry jello pretzel salad is a dreamy blend of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and salty, all from ingredients that are easy on the wallet.
Ingredients
Strawberry jello layer:
Strawberry Jell-O mix – Ignore what the box says and follow the instructions in this strawberry jello salad recipe for dissolving the Jell-O mix. Raspberry Jell-O is also a good quick substitute!
Boiling water – For dissolving the Jell-O mix.
Fresh strawberries – You can slice and refrigerate them until ready to use. You don’t want to add warm strawberries on top of the cream cheese filling.
Cream cheese layer:
Cream cheese – To avoid lumps and easier mixing, let your cream cheese soften to room temperature before use!
Granulated sugar – To sweeten the strawberry jello pretzel salad’s cream cheese filling.
Heavy whipping cream – Makes the cream cheese layer light and fluffy.
Pretzel crust:
Salted pretzels – That salty crunch from the pretzel crust complements the sweetness of the strawberry Jell-O and the creaminess of the cream cheese filling!
Unsalted butter – For binding the crust together.
Granulated sugar – Consider a combination of white and brown sugar in the crust for a deeper, more interesting flavor.
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad
Cool Whip
You can use thawed Cool Whip instead of heavy whipping cream, but reduce the sugar in the cream cheese filling. It actually holds up well, which can help keep the pretzel crust from getting soggy!
Chocolate Spread
Chocolate and strawberries are an easy match made in heaven. To turn this into a chocolate strawberry jello salad, stir Nutella into the cream cheese mixture!
More Berries
Use more berries on top of your strawberry pretzel salad! Blueberries and raspberries are perfect choices for this delicious salad.
Tips For Making This Recipe
Easily Crush Your Pretzels
Place the salted pretzels in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You can also use a food processor!
Wait Before Cutting
To avoid a soggy mess, allow your strawberry jello salad to set in the fridge for at least 2 hours before cutting it into squares.
Try a Different Crust
This strawberry jello salad also works with a basic graham cracker crust! For a 9 x 13 baking dish, crush 10 graham crackers and combine them with 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Press the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 7 minutes at 350°F.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe FAQs
Can I use frozen strawberries in place of fresh for this layered salad?
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries for strawberry pretzel salad. Make sure they’re plain and not the ones in syrup. You don’t need to thaw the frozen sliced strawberries; you can add them straight to the jello mixture. Let the strawberry jello mixture thicken for about 10 minutes in the fridge, then pour it on top of the cream cheese layer.
How to keep pretzel crust from getting soggy?
Spread the cream cheese mixture all the way to the edges of the baking dish, or the Jell-O mixture will seep through and make the pretzel crust soggy. Also, ensure the crust is completely cool before adding the cream cheese filling.
Why is my strawberry pretzel salad soggy in the middle?
Don’t add the Jell-O mixture on top of the cream cheese layer until it has thickened or slightly set. If you do, you’ll end up with a mushy mess. You also want to pour it gently to prevent cracks in the cream cheese filling.
How far in advance can I make strawberry pretzel salad?
You can make this strawberry jello salad 1 to 2 days in advance. Just cover the baking dish with plastic wrap.
Can you freeze strawberry pretzel salad?
Nope! Freezing this strawberry pretzel Jello salad isn’t a good idea, as the crust will likely become soggy after thawing. The cream cheese layer may also separate or turn grainy!
More Delicious Dessert Recipes
- Snicker Apple Salad
- Red White and Blue Fruit Salad
- Strawberry Brownies
- Strawberry Cinnamon Rolls
- Dessert Nachos
I found this recipe for Cherry Pretzel Dessert that I HAVE to try!
Yay! You have made it this far, and I am so glad! Hey – If you make this recipe, I’d love for you to give it a quick review & star rating ★ below.
Strawberry Jello Salad
Ingredients
Strawberry jello layer:
- 1 6 oz-box strawberry Jell-O mix
- 2 cups boiling water
- 12 oz fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Cream cheese layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz heavy whipping cream
Pretzel crust:
- 2 cups salted pretzels, crushed
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
Instructions
- Whisk the Jell-O mix with boiling water until completely dissolved. Cool to room temperature.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Combine the crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar.
- Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of a baking dish, creating an even layer.
- Bake the pretzel crust for 10 minutes. Cool completely.
- Beat the cream cheese and sugar for 2 minutes, or until smooth and fluffy.
- Gently fold the heavy whipping cream into the cream cheese mixture until completely incorporated.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pretzel crust, making sure to reach the edges to seal it and keep the jello from seeping through.
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes to firm up.
- Arrange the sliced strawberries over the chilled cream cheese layer.
- Pour the Jell-O mixture on top, covering the strawberries.
- Cover the strawberry jello salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours before cutting. You can also garnish the slices with whipped topping before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
- Place the salted pretzels in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. You can also use a food processor!
- To avoid a soggy mess, allow your strawberry jello salad to set in the fridge for at least 2 hours before cutting it into squares.
- This strawberry jello salad also works with a basic graham cracker crust! For a 9 x 13 baking dish, crush 10 graham crackers and combine them with 1/4 cup of melted unsalted butter. Press the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 7 minutes at 350°F.
Nutrition
PIN FOR LATER!
