Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Yields: 12-15 servings
Prep time: 30 minutes (plus chilling time)
Cook time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
For the Pretzel Crust:
2 cups crushed pretzel sticks (about 6 ounces)
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Layer:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
For the Strawberry Topping:
1 large package (6 ounces) strawberry gelatin mix (like Jell-O)
2 cups boiling water
1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Pretzel Crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a large bowl, combine the crushed pretzel sticks and granulated sugar.
Pour the melted butter over the pretzel mixture and stir until well combined.
Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, forming an even crust.
Bake for 10 minutes, then let cool completely.
2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer:
In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar together until smooth and creamy.
Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until well combined.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
3. Prepare the Strawberry Topping:
In a large bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin mix in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved.
Let the gelatin mixture cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, gently stir in the sliced strawberries.
4. Assemble the Salad:
Carefully pour the strawberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the gelatin to set completely.
5. Serve:
Once set, cut the Strawberry Pretzel Salad into squares and serve.
Tips and Variations:
Crushing the Pretzels: Use a food processor or place the pretzels in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Sugar in Crust: You can adjust the amount of sugar in the crust to your preference.
Other Fruits: You can substitute other fruits like raspberries, blueberries, or peaches for the strawberries.
Gelatin Flavor: Feel free to use different flavors of gelatin to customize the salad.
Whipped Topping: For a richer flavor, you can use homemade whipped cream instead of whipped topping.
Storage: Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.
Enjoy your delicious and refreshing Strawberry Pretzel Salad! It's a perfect dessert for potlucks, picnics, and gatherings.