This Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe combines a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy cream cheese layer, and a sweet strawberry jello topping to create a delightful dessert that's perfect for any occasion. It's a classic Southern dish that has evolved over the decades, with various regional and modern twists making it a versatile recipe to suit any taste.
Prepare the Pretzel Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar. Press into the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then cool completely.
Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread over the cooled crust.
Assemble the Strawberry Jello Layer: Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Cool to room temperature, then add strawberries. Pour over the cream cheese layer.
Chill: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until set.
Serve: Cut into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pretzels for the crust.
The dessert can be made a day ahead to ensure it's fully set.
To prevent the crust from getting soggy, ensure the cream cheese layer covers the entire surface of the crust, sealing the edges.
Feel free to substitute strawberries with other fruits like raspberries or blueberries, matching the gelatin flavor to the fruit.