My Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the most popular dessert on my blog, for nearly every holiday. The combination of sweet cream, salty pretzels, and tangy fresh strawberries makes it irresistible. This layered strawberry pretzel dessert is loved by adults and kids.
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Helpful Reader Review
“Awesome. Best directions on the internet to make this recipe. My family loves this dessert. Bookmarked forever!” – MZee ★★★★★
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Video Tutorial
This Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe is near and dear to my heart, because it is the first video recipe that went viral on Facebook, and now has been viewed over 57,000,000 MILLION TIMES! I’m so thankful for everyone who watched and shared!
Easy Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
Jello recipes, like our Jello Cake and classic Raspberry Pretzel Jello, are the perfect potluck desserts because they keep well and are easy to make and take, which is why this Strawberry Pretzel Salad is so popular during the holidays, and it makes me so happy that it graces your holiday table.
It’s easy to make a day ahead and is served right out of the fridge. Easy! Leftovers–if you have any–last for up to 4 days. It’s so simple to make with my easy step-by-step directions, and I increased the crust since there was a clear consensus that more is better!
Is it a Salad or Dessert?
There is a massive debate on Facebook as to why this is called a “salad,” and it is a passionate debate and very entertaining to read. So let me know in the comments–salad or dessert?
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Ingredients
This creamy, crunchy, sweet, salty Strawberry Pretzel Salad has a little of everything in a single bite, and requires just a few staple ingredients.
- Strawberry Jell-O – get the larger 6-oz box. Make sure to follow my recipe instructions for adding water and NOT the box instructions. If you use too much water, it won’t set properly.
- Pretzels – salted, small sticks or mini pretzels are easiest to crush. The amount of whole pretzels can vary depending on the type you use; about 4 cups of whole pretzels will yield 2 cups coarsely crushed.
- Cream cheese – soften so it mixes well – Tip: place unopened package in warm water for 15 minutes to warm quickly.
- Cool Whip – 1 tub, thawed in refrigerator – see my notes below for substituting
- Strawberries – Fresh sliced strawberries work best, but you can use thawed and drained frozen strawberries.
- Pantry staples – sugar and unsalted butter
Can I Substitute Cool Whip?
Instead of 8 oz of Cool Whip, beat 1 cup heavy cream with 2 Tbsp powdered sugar to stiff peaks, and add 2/3 cup sugar mixed into the cream cheese. In my testing, heavy cream can make the pretzel layer soften and take longer to set, so let it chill for 45 minutes in step 4 and serve the same day.
How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad
This layered strawberry pretzel salad dessert is so easy to make with my easy directions!
- Dissolve the Jell-O in 2 cups of boiling water and stir (**do NOT follow package instructions), and then preheat the oven to 350°F. Using a x-large measuring cup makes it easier to pour.
- Crush the pretzels in a zip-top bag. Aim for coarse texture, since the crust can become hard if the pretzels are crushed to a powder.
- Pretzel layer – melt the butter and sugar in a saucepan, and then mix in the pretzels. Press mixture into the bottom of a 13×9″ dish (glass is nice to see all the pretty layers). Bake at 350°F for 10 min, and then cool completely.
- Cream layer – beat the cream cheese and sugar with a hand mixer, and then fold in the Cool Whip. Spread it over the room temperature pretzel layer all the way to the edges to seal out moisture so the pretzels stay crisp and to keep the Jell-O from seeping down. Chill in the fridge for 30 min.
- Jell-O layer – stir sliced strawberries into the room temperature Jell-O from step 1. Pour it gently over the cooled cream layer (to prevent cracks), and then cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. It’s best within 24 hours, but can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 3 days before serving.
Natasha’s Pro Tip:
For a different flavor, swap the strawberries for other sliced or small fruit. Try well-drained canned mandarin oranges with orange Jell-O or raspberries for Raspberry Pretzel Jello. Avoid fruits that release too much liquid and will prevent gelatin from setting, such as pineapple, mango, kiwi, or watermelon.
Helpful Reader Review
“I added a handful of scattered blueberries on top of the strawberry layer for my family 4th of July party, and it looked so cute!” – Tanya ★★★★★
My classic Strawberry Pretzel Salad recipe brings back all the nostalgic memories from childhood with the three layers of salty crunch, creamy sweetness, and bright fruity gelatin. This dessert is a favorite at BBQ’s and holiday dessert tables, since it’s simple to make and easy to transport.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Ingredients
- 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 12 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups crushed salted pretzels, (about 4 cups whole pretzels)
- 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 8 oz cool whip, thawed in the fridge
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
Instructions
- Dissolve – Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Combine strawberry Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- Crush pretzels in a sturdy ziploc bag, using a rolling pin.
- Pretzel layer – In a medium saucepan, melt 12 Tbsp butter, then add 1/4 cup sugar and stir. Mix in crushed pretzels. Transfer to a 13×9 glass casserole dish, pressing the pretzel mix evenly over the bottom of the dish, and bake for 10 minutes at 350°F, then cool to room temperature.
- Cream layer – When pretzels have cooled, use an electric hand mixer to beat 8 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on med/high speed until fluffy and white. Fold in 8 oz Cool Whip until no streaks of cream cheese remain. Spread mixture over cooled pretzels, spreading to the edges of the dish to create a tight seal. Refrigerate 30 min.
- Jell-O layer – Hull and slice 1 lb strawberries, then stir them into your room temperature Jell-O. Pour and spread the strawberry Jell-O mixture evenly over your cooled cream cheese layer and refrigerate until Jell-O is set (2-4 hours).
Notes
Nutrition Per Serving
Filed Under
More Party Desserts
I love potluck dessert recipes that are easy to make, bring, and serve at an event. Try these favorites:
- Tiramisu
- Banana Pudding
- Mini Cheesecakes
- Angel Wing Cookies
- Pumpkin Roll
- Rice Krispie Treats
- Apple Roses
- Lemon Posset
- Date Snickers
I saw this recipe and thought it would work well for a Gluten Free person (substituting Glutinos pretzels). My son’s girlfriend is gluten fren. No one else even noticed and really enjoyed it. Fun summer dessert!
Hi Jenny, I am so happy to hear that! Thanks for sharing. That is a brilliant way to make this a gluten free strawberry pretzel salad.
I’d suggest doubling the amount of pretzel crust because when I did what the recipe called for there was no way it would remotely cover a 9×13 pan. Maybe if the recipe had specified 2.5 cups of uncrushed or crushed pretzel? I ended up doing twice as much butter and sugar and 5 cups crushed pretzel to get an actual crust and not just scattered crumbs as a base. Everything else worked out fine.
Hi Nic, you definitely can double the crust if you prefer a thicker crust but be sure to double everything and I would bake the crust a few minutes longer if doubling.
Hi Natasha, If I double the crust should I double the rest of the ingredients like the cream cheese ,sugar,cool whip and strawberries?
Hi Joanne, it isn’t necessary to double everything if you are just making a thicker crust because you want a thicker crust. If you double everything, it would require a HUGE casserole dish.
Thanks! I love all your recipes especially with the videos!!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great feedback!
Hi Natasha,
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted.
Thanks for all the wonderful recipes!
Hi Darlene, I always use unsalted butter because I have more control over the saltiness of my food, but I think it would work with salted butter – you’d have a little more of that salty contrast, which is fine.
So I learned a few shortcuts I thought I would share. I was pressed for time and knew I would be, so I sliced my strawberries the day before and kept them nice and cold in fridge. Also thought I had cool whip and didn’t (My son had eaten it. Yes, just plain cool whip lol)🤦♀️ so i used a pack of dream whip made with half whipping cream half milk. Since this will be eaten rather soon I’m not concerned if that makes the pretzels soggy or not, it will be gone by then lol. Then when I made my jello I used 1 c. boiling water and mixed my jello powder into that. Then I added 1 c ice with a little water to make an accurate measurement. That got a jumpstart on cooling the jello. By the time I had my crust cooled and filling made i added my cold strawberries to my jello and it started jelling. So I didn’t need to refrigerate the second step so long and I really cut down on the fridge times. Then I put my strawberry/jello mix on top and threw the whole thing in the fridge to set. Was ready in about a half hr after that, saving at least an hr minimum. From start to finish ready to eat in under 2 hrs. Hope it helps anyone else pressed for time!
Thank you so much for sharing that with us, Jennifer!
I was pressed for time so I did exactly as you did & I was surprised how quickly it set. Thanks for the time saving steps.
The first time I made this the crust, it stuck to the bottom of the dish and I had a difficult time getting the pieces out. From then on I sprayed the bottom of the dish with Pam before I pressed the pretzel mixture into the dish. I cant find a recipe that tells you to do this, but I always do now.
Thank you for sharing that with all of us!
I think it’s a dessert but whatever you call it..I’m going to make it..it looks yummy.
I hope you love it Sandra!
Currently making this for the first times haha! I fear I may have made the pretzel layer too thick because the pretzels are still loose in the pan. Will they hold once everything is done since the cool whip layer is on top of them? Looking forward to it either way! Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Kalisha, the pretzels will hold together with the cream spread over them, just be sure to spread the cream all the way to the edges so the jello does not escape down to the bottom to soften the pretzel.s I hope you love the pretzel salad!
How do I change the recipe if using strawberry jello but frozen strawberries in sugar juice
Hi Brenda, I haven’t tried that substitution so it is difficult to say not knowing exactly how much juice is in there versus strawberries. The safest way might be to remove the strawberries from the excess juice and add them into the jello unless you want to replace some of the water with the sugar juice but it would definitely be sweeter.
I can’t stand Cool Whip (it tastes gross and fake to me vs REAL whipped cream) so thanks much for the substitution!
You’re welcome Cheryl!
Hi Natasha,
We call it Jelly Slice here in Australia. Most people use breadcrumbs for the base. Pretzels are a cool alternative I will give it a go next time i have to make a dessert.
I hope you love it Jenny!
As a substitute for the Cool Whip and 1/2 of sugar, use marshmallow fluff and mix with your cream cheese. Same 8 oz. As the cream cheese, easier to combine as the fluff is a bit more stiff than Cool Whip
Thank you for sharing that, Robert!
marshmallow fluff would be way too sweet for my taste.
Thank you for a wonderful recipe. I have found that I bake my crust the day before. Cool completely! Add the cream cheese mixture on top. Cover and place in the refrigerator. The next day, the day I am going to serve, I add my Jello topping and place in the refrigerator to set. It takes just a short time to set. You are the greatest to watch on videos. Hope you can get your own show someday.
You’re so nice! Thank you Connie! I’m so happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe!
I agree. You need your own show!
You’re so nice! Thank you Maryann!
There is no “ I am watching what I eat” if you make this. I tried it, it was good, and after every slice I say “ that’s it, no more” and then later I have another one. Simple, easy, but super good.
Thank you!
Knowing when to stop is always a struggle with this recipe! Thank you for sharing that great review with me, Katya!
I can not get my jello to set it has been 4 hours it is still running what can I do?
Hi Linda, making it this way should have set faster than the box instructions since it is more concentrated jello. Did you use the same size package and did you follow the box instructions or the recipe instructions?
The instructions say to mix with hand mixer. Does it make a difference to use a kitchen aid stand mixer insteaf
Hi Connie, a stand mixer will work well.
I would use less water while making jello. Also some people use ice cubes to make jello set faster.I wouldn’t do that. I did that once and the jello did not set. It was watery.
Do you have a measurement for the pretzels after they’re crushed? I have the bigger skinny pretzels so I think measuring 2.5 cups of that will be different from the small pretzels you used. Thanks!
Hi Kym, I wish I had measured it that way. Here is what one of our readers wrote I hope you love it “I weighted mine and I use 110 grams and always get perfect amount.
Thank you, Natasha, for this wonderful recipe. I wish I could post the picture. It looks almost as good as yours.” I hope this helps!
Thanks for posting the grams – turns out perfect at this weight. I always used to use too much, now I always weight them.
You’re welcome! I’m glad that was helpful, Karen!
Excellent recipe…..but you must have patience! After refrigerating the pan with the creamcheese/coolwhip for about 30 minutes, I also put the jello in the fridge to get it cold and “almost” set. Then when I added the strawberries and slowly poured it on, it all stayed on top! Spectacular!
I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for sharing your great review!
Hi Natasha
I am from Mexico and the Jell-O package is marked in Grams.
I understand that 1 lb. = to 28 grs. more or less.
Your recepie calls for 6 oz.
When I did it, using only 2 cups of boiling water, the jello became so hard that I couldn’t blend the strawberries. Please tell me what I am doing
Everyday I make one of your receptors. I wish you and your beautiful family to continue with your success for many, many years to come.
Love, Gloria
Hi Gloria, I haven’t had that experience but I suspect it might be a different product – maybe more concentrated than what is sold in the US. A 6 oz package of flavored jello-brand jello is 170 grams by weight. 1 pound in is equal to 453 grams. I hope that helps!
How many servings does your 6oz pkg make? I just bought one pkg a 4 person serving and it is only 85g would I have to use 2?
Hi Sharalyn, that will make a thinner layer of Jell-O. It may work but this recipe makes just enough to cover the layer.
How long can I make this beforehand? Could I make it a day in advance for an event?
Hi Ellie, yes, the cool whip or whipped topping will make it hold up well in the refrigerator overnight. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Made this for Easter and it was a big hit! Everyone loved it! It was really light after such a big dinner! Thanks for sharing your recipe!
Awww that’s the best! Thank you so much for sharing that with me.
Made this for Easter and it was crowd pleaser!!! I’m glad everyone like it, but there were no leftovers to take home.
That’s just awesome!! Thank you for sharing your wonderful review Leigh! Looks like you’ll have to make more next time!
Is it alright to make this recipe 2 days ahead of time?
Hi Noreen, I haven’t tested that two days ahead however but that would work great a day ahead. Cover and refrigerate overnight. The only time the pretzels softened was when I tried to substitute the cool whip with real whipped cream, but if you make it per the recipe and make sure to seal the white cream all the way to the edges (so the jello doesn’t sink down to the pretzels), it will not get soggy.
Thank you for your advice. I won’t risk it then.
Love the recipe and your video!
Thank you Anita! I’m so happy you enjoyed that!