Description
This Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad is a classic layered dessert with a salty-sweet pretzel crust, a creamy cheesecake layer, and a vibrant strawberry Jello topping. It’s perfect for potlucks, holidays, and summer gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
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For the Pretzel Crust:
- 2 1/2 cups coarsely crushed pretzels (see notes)
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
- 16 ounces (two 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 16 ounces (two 8-ounce containers) Cool Whip, thawed, or equivalent homemade whipped topping (see notes)
For the Strawberry Jello Layer:
- 1 (6-ounce) package strawberry Jello gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 quart (about 4 cups) fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced, or frozen strawberries, thawed and drained
Instructions
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Make the Pretzel Crust:
- Crush Pretzels: Crush the pretzels into coarse crumbs. You can use a food processor or place them in a resealable plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
- Combine Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and melted butter. Mix well until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
- Press into Pan: Press the pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake Crust: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes.
- Cool Completely: Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool completely before adding the next layer.
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Make the Cream Cheese Layer:
- Beat Cream Cheese and Sugar: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer (hand mixer or stand mixer), beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup of granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip (or homemade whipped topping) until well combined.
- Spread over Crust: Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the completely cooled pretzel crust, making sure to spread it all the way to the edges of the pan to create a seal. This will prevent the Jello layer from seeping into the crust.
- Chill: Refrigerate while making the jello layer.
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Make the Strawberry Jello Layer:
- Boil Water: In a heatproof measuring cup or bowl, bring 2 cups of water to a boil (you can use a microwave or a kettle).
- Dissolve Jello: Add the strawberry Jello gelatin powder to the boiling water. Stir well until the Jello is completely dissolved.
- Add Strawberries: Add the sliced fresh strawberries (or thawed and drained frozen strawberries) to the Jello mixture. Stir to combine.
- Cool and Thicken: Let the Jello mixture cool on the counter or in the refrigerator until it is slightly thickened but not completely set. This is important to prevent it from soaking into the cream cheese layer. It should be the consistency of a thick syrup.
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Assemble and Chill:
- Carefully pour the slightly thickened Jello mixture over the cream cheese layer in the baking dish.
- Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the Jello is completely set.
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Cut and Serve: Cut into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- Pretzels: Use regular salted pretzels for the crust. You can adjust the coarseness of the crumbs to your preference.
- Cream Cheese: Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Cool Whip: You can substitute homemade stabilized whipped cream for the Cool Whip. To make stabilized whipped cream, beat 2 cups of heavy cream with 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
- Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are recommended for the best flavor, but you can use frozen strawberries. If using frozen, thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before adding them to the Jello.
- Jello Layer: It’s important to let the Jello mixture cool and slightly thicken before pouring it over the cream cheese layer. This prevents the Jello from seeping into the cream cheese layer and making it soggy.
- Make-Ahead: This salad can be made a day ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator.
- Serving Suggestions: This Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad is a classic potluck and holiday dessert.
- Storage: Store