Grandma's Strawberry Pretzel Salad
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Recipe Overview
Overview
Grandma’s Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful twist on traditional desserts, combining a crunchy pretzel crust with a creamy filling and a fruity topping. The process begins with making the pretzel crust, which is both easy and satisfying. By crushing pretzels and mixing them with melted butter and sugar, you create a base that is both sweet and salty, providing a perfect contrast to the creamy layer above.
The cream cheese layer is where the magic happens. Mixing softened cream cheese with sugar and whipped cream results in a light, airy filling that complements the crunch of the pretzel crust beautifully. This layer is spread evenly over the cooled crust, ensuring that every bite has that delightful combination of textures.
Finally, the strawberry gelatin topping adds a vibrant color and fruity flavor that ties the whole dish together. It’s a fun and visually appealing dessert that is sure to impress at any gathering. Whether you’re serving it at a summer barbecue or a holiday potluck, this Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a crowd-pleaser that will have everyone asking for the recipe.
Recipe Details
Steps & Tips
Preheat the oven to 375°F.
Pour 2 cups of pretzels into a food processor and pulse until broken down but still textured.
Add 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 3/4 cup of melted butter to the pretzels and blend until combined.
Press the pretzel mixture into a 9x13 pan evenly.
Bake the crust in the oven for 10 minutes.
Let the crust cool completely.
In a large mixing bowl, add 3 cups of heavy whipping cream, 1/2 cup of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Mix until stiff peaks form.
Tip: You can also buy store-bought whipped cream, but homemade is preferred.
In another bowl, add 8 oz of softened cream cheese and 1/2 cup of sugar, then mix until smooth.
Gently fold half of the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
Put the remaining whipped cream in the fridge for later use.
Once the crust is cooled, take dollops of the cream cheese mixture and place them over the crust.
Connect the dots and seal the edges of the cream cheese mixture.
In a saucepan, boil 2 cups of water.
Remove the saucepan from heat and immediately pour in 2 (3 oz) packs of strawberry gelatin.
Stir until there is no granulation and the gelatin is well dissolved.
Carefully add 20 oz of sliced frozen strawberries and stir until mixed.
Spoon the strawberry Jell-O onto the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
Tip: You can use fresh strawberries instead of frozen, but let the Jell-O cool to room temperature first.
Pop the assembled dessert in the fridge for 2 hours to let the Jell-O chill completely.
Once set, top the dessert with the reserved whipped cream.
Ingredients
Ingredient: Dairy
→ Substitution: Coconut Cream
Ingredient: Gluten
→ Substitution: Gluten-Free Pretzels
Nutrition
Skill Level
Frequently asked questions
Below you will find answers to the most common questions about this recipe.
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Interesting Tidbits
- •The pretzel crust adds a unique salty-sweet flavor to the dessert.
- •This dessert is often served chilled, making it refreshing for warm weather.
- •Using frozen strawberries is a convenient option, but fresh strawberries can also be used.
- •The combination of cream cheese and whipped cream creates a light and fluffy texture.
