How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

This isn’t really a salad! It is a dessert! Calling all salty – sweet people! This delectable easy dessert has exactly what you are looking for. Get ready to chill, today I am sharing How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

As a child, Strawberry Pretzel Salad was my favorite thing about Potluck Sundays after church. You could always count on at least two versions of this delectable dish dueling from opposite ends of the buffet table. I had no trouble eating my spoon sized healthy polite bites required by my mother before partaking in this savory sweet treat.

Now I am the lady bringing the Strawberry Pretzel Salad to potlucks. 😉

In my version, I don’t add the sour cream to the center layer. Mixed with sugar and a touch of orange zest, I spread it on top. This truly is an addictive dish. You will find your family asking for it again and again.

What exactly Is Strawberry Pretzel Salad?

The classic recipe is an easy dessert with a salty-sweet buttery pretzel crust, a rich cream cheese layer, and fresh strawberries in jello on top.

Paula Deen makes a the classic version adding a can of pineapple. It is delicious! Her son Bobby Deen makes a tasty lighter version using applesauce of all things. Ree Drummond makes a lovely classic version with the creamiest melt in your mouth center I have ever tasted.

Where Did Strawberry Pretzel Salad Originate?

The recipe is believed to have originated in the 196o’s when the Joy’s of Jello cookbook was published. BUT…

Any true southerner would tell you that Strawberry Pretzel Salad was invented in the south a day before anyone else claimed to have invented it anywhere else in the world. If you have not tried this delectable “not a salad” dessert, a southerner will also offer you a quick off the tongue, “Bless your heart, I will make you one.” I assure you it would be at your door within 24 hours.
I am talking about myself of course. ?
-gwyn

How Many Days In Advance Can you Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

First, strawberry Pretzel Salad is best when made a day in advance. Secondly, it needs a minimum of 6 hours to set. Lastly, It will keep in the refrigerator for 2 days.

I personally like it best on day two. The pretzels are perfectly soft with a tiny bit of crunch and the flavors seem to have melded together. Make sure to get a little bit of everything in every bite.
-gwyn

How Do You Hull A Strawberry

Angle a small knife and cut in a circular motion around the green leafy top and into the pale part of the strawberry underneath. Remove the hull.

More Ideas for Strawberries

Strawberry Scones | DIY Strawberry Roses | Belgium Waffles and Strawberry S’Mores Pink Chocolate Strawberry Truffles | Strawberries and Honey Thyme Goat Cheese Naan French Toast Kabobs with Strawberries and Bacon | Mini Strawberry Poptarts

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Makes 12 Servings

Ingredients

1 cup crushed pretzels
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
5 tablespoons sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
6 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 ounces whipped topping
6 ounces strawberry gelatin
2 cups water, boiling
3 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced or diced
16 ounces sour cream
2 tablespoons orange zest
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted

Instructions

First, preheat the oven to 350° F and coat a 9″ X 13 ” baking dish with cooking spray. Next, add the crushed pretzels, butter, and sugar into a mixing bowl and stir to coat.

Then, gently press evenly into a glass baking dish with the back of a rubber spatula. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Add the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Place in the refrigerator.

Using a medium sized bowl, add the strawberry gelatin. Pour in the boiling water and stir to dissolve. Slowly stir in the strawberries. Chill in the refrigerator for one hour.