Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a retro-inspired layered dessert that balances sweet, salty, and creamy flavors in one bite. With a buttery pretzel crust, a fluffy cream cheese filling, and a vibrant strawberry Jell-O topping, it’s a crowd-pleasing classic perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 10

Chilling Time 2

Total Time 2 30

Servings 12

Ingredients

2 cups crushed pretzels
¾ cup unsalted butter melted
3 tablespoons white sugar for crust
1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
1 cup white sugar for filling
1 8-ounce container frozen whipped topping, thawed
2 3-ounce packages strawberry-flavored Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
2 10-ounce packages frozen strawberries

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, mix crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons sugar. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared dish. Bake for 8–10 minutes, until set. Cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with 1 cup sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping until light and fluffy. Spread mixture evenly over cooled crust, ensuring it reaches the edges to seal.
In another bowl, dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Stir in frozen strawberries until combined. Allow mixture to cool slightly before pouring gently over the cream cheese layer.
Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until fully set. Slice and serve chilled.

Notes

Be sure the pretzel crust is fully cooled before adding the cream cheese layer, or it may melt and lose its shape.
Sealing the cream cheese mixture to the edges prevents the gelatin from seeping into the crust.
Fresh strawberries can be used instead of frozen, but the gelatin will take longer to set.
This dessert can be made a day in advance, making it perfect for entertaining.