Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delicious dessert that combines salty and sweet, making a tasty treat some call a pie, and some call a salad. I call it I must eat now. I keep the calories down by using both low-fat cream cheese and whipped topping.
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Why Everyone Loves this Strawberry Pretzel Pie
- The Best of Sweet and Salty: Every bit has a bit of sweet and salty. The pretzel crust packs the crunch to the smooth, no-bake cheesecake layer, and the succulent strawberry topping comes together in one irresistible dessert.
- Make-Ahead: This is the perfect make-ahead dessert for potluck, BBQ, or holiday gatherings.
- Decadent with lighter flavors: Low-fat cream cheese and light whipped cream do not decrease the flavor.
- Minimum baking required: Only 8 minutes in the oven is needed for the pretzel. The remaining instructions are layering, chilling, and serving.
- Pie or a salad: It is a fun recipe to debate if it is a pie or a salad.
Recipes using strawberries are always a favorite of mine. Strawberry Iced Tea and Strawberry Sorbet are both refreshing and tasty.
Ingredient List
Pretzel Crust
- cups crushed mini pretzels: Gluten-free pretzels can be used.
- 1¼ sticks unsalted butter (melted)
- 1 Tablespoon granulated sugar or sweetener of choice
No Bake Cheesecake Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese: low-fat cream cheese or Neufchâtel cheese can be used
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 12 ounces thawed whipped topping: Many people use Cool Whip. I prefer to use TruWhip, for its better-for-you ingredients.
Jello Topping
- 2 (3-ounce) packages strawberry gelatin: I prefer sugar-free gelatin, and it works perfectly with this recipe.
- 2 cups hot water
- 16 ounces frozen sliced strawberries; do not defrost
Kitchen Tools
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- 9" x 13" cake pan
- Hand Mixer
- Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls
- Spatula
How to make
This is an overview of the recipe. The full instructions are in the recipe card below.
How to make a Pretzel Crust
- Combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and salt.
- Press the pretzel crust into the baking pan and bake for about 10 minutes.
How to Assemble Cream Cheese Filling
- Whip together the cream cheese, whipped topping, and sugar.
- Spread the whipped topping mixture over the pretzel crust.
How to make the Strawberry Gelatin Topping
- Combine gelatin with hot water to dissolve the gelatin. Add the frozen strawberries and let sit for 10 minutes. * Very important to do this so the strawberries begin to set for the ultimate dessert.
- Pour the strawberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to set before serving.
Make-ahead, storage, and freezer tips
Make-Ahead: I generally make this pie a day ahead, and keep it in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
Leftovers: Leftover strawberry pie should be eaten within one day after making it.
Eileen's Tips for Success
- Layers: The bottom pretzel layer should have the pretzel pieces chopped but not crumbled. You want a crunchy crust.
- It is important to allow each layer to set before adding another layer.
- Crispy Crust: To ensure a crispy pretzel crust, make sure the cream cheese layer completely covers the pretzel crust so the jello layer does not seep through to the crust
- Recipe testing has shown: Top the pretzel crust with the cream cheese layer, then refrigerate for at least 60 minutes before adding the strawberry jello layer. This allows the layers to set, and there will be no issues with layers separating.
- Once the strawberry and jello layer is added, refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- This salad is best made and served within one day.
- To ensure the gelatin sets correctly, the water temperature should be hot, 212°F to the point of boiling, before pouring it in with the Jello.
- After the gelatin is dissolved, add the frozen strawberries.
- Set a timer for 15 minutes; mix the strawberries in the gelatin liquid. The strawberries and gelatin will not set until it is refrigerated.
Make It Your Own
Do you want to change up this recipe? Here are some ways to change the flavor of this dish.
- Gluten-free: I use these gluten-free pretzels with great success for the crust.
- Make individual servings: Press the crust and layers into silicone or non-stick muffin tins, for grab-and-go portions — great for parties.
- Swap the fruit and gelatin flavor: Try raspberries with raspberry gelatin, or well-drained mandarin oranges with orange gelatin. Avoid very juicy fruits like pineapple, kiwi, or watermelon — they can prevent the gelatin from setting.
- Crunch: Add finely chopped pecans into the crust, or scatter fresh blueberries over the strawberry layer for a fun red-white-and-blue presentation.
- Adjust the richness: I use low-fat cream cheese and light whipped topping to keep things lighter. Feel free to use full-fat versions of both ingredients, and the results are delicious. Now and again, a little indulgence is needed.
FAQ's
Is this a strawberry pretzel dessert recipe or a strawberry pretzel salad recipe?
According to my Texas friends who first shared this amazing "dessert" with me. Many years ago, Jell-O was a popular ingredient in recipes, and salad was always part of the recipe title.
What's the difference between a strawberry pretzel dessert and a strawberry pretzel pie?
The strawberry pretzel dessert has a pretzel crust, whipped toppings, and a fruit gelatin layer. A Strawberry Pretel Pie has a pretzel crust and is made in a pie dish.
More Strawberry Recipes
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Eileen xo
If you click the number of servings in the recipe card, you can adjust the measurements up or down for the exact number of servings you need.
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Pretzel Pie
A perfect dessert to bring to any potluck, BBQ, picnic, or family gathering. This salty/sweet dessert is always a hit with family and friends.
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
How to Make the Pretzel Crust
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Combine 2 cups crushed mini pretzels 1¼ sticks unsalted butter (melted)1 Tablespoon granulated sugar. Press into a 9x13-inch pie pan. Place in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. Pretzel crust should be cooked all the way through. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
How To Make Cream Cheese Filling
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, use a hand mixer with beaters attached and cream together 8 ounces cream cheese (softened) and ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth. Fold in 12 ounces thawed whipped topping and mix to combine.
- Spread over the completely cooked pretzel crust. Place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to chill the ingredients.
How To Make Strawberry Jello Topping
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix 6 ounce package, strawberry gelatin and 2 cups hot water. Stir to dissolve all the gelatin. Add 16 ounces frozen sliced strawberrieslet sit for 10 minutes.
- Pour the strawberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese mixture. Place the strawberry pretzel pie in the refrigerator. Let chill and set for at least 2 hours before serving.
- Slice and serve.
Be sure to check the Expert Tips and FAQs above for important tips and answers that can help make a delicious recipe.
Note 1: I used mini pretzels. The measurements are made after the pretzels are crushed.
- In this recipe, I use sugar-free strawberry gelatin, but strawberry gelatin can be used.
- I often use True Whip topping as it is better for you than whipped topping. Any whipped topping of your choice can be used.
- If serving outdoors, I place the pie pan on a tray of ice to keep these ingredients cool.
- This pie is best eaten on the day it is made or the following day.
- If using freshly sliced strawberries, place the gelatin mixture in the refrigerator to cool for about 15 minutes, until it is jiggly but not set, before pouring over the cream cheese mixture.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please consult a professional for strict dietary needs.
If you loved this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating below — it helps other find it and means the world to me! — Eileen xo 🍀
