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
Where do I find that much jello? My box is only a small packet..I would need about 16 boxes lol
Hi Rita, you may try online or at the grocery stores.
Rita, 3 oz is one small regular size box, the family size one is 6oz. If you can’t find the bigger box just use 2 smaller ones to get the 6 oz needed for the recipe 🙂
As an edit to my earlier comment, don’t set the jello in the fridge before pouring on the crust lol I added frozen strawberries to the jello & set it in the fridge for 10 min & it was almost completely set before I poured it on the crust (oops!) Just follow the recipe exactly.
Thanks Natasha for the tip about putting equal scoops of the cream cheese mixture over the crust before spreading it. That really helps! After spreading it I did put that in the fridge for about 15 min (along with the separate bowl of jello) before pouring the jello on. Delicious Easter dessert 😁
Hi Lisa, you’re welcome and thanks for following the recipe. Glad you enjoyed it!
I love this recipe and whenever I make it my guests rave about it. I change the crust a bit by adding a 1/2 cup roasted and salted pecans and decrease pretzels by about 1/2 cup. I may have commented in this site previously and if so I apologize for the duplication. The pecans give it a great nutty flavor.
No worries and thank you for sharing that with us! We always appreciate some suggestions and feedback about our recipes.
Omg, I can’t express how delicious this is! I’ve added some vanilla to the cream cheese batter and a clear gelatine… So good! My only concern is how to make the pretzel layer more firm? It was crumbling so much…
Hi Iva! So glad you enjoyed this recipe! It sounds like maybe the pretzels weren’t crushed enough to form a good crust. I suggest watching the video tutorial to see where things looked different from my process.
I made this 2 days ago for our Easter feast, which was today. We have several people in the family who have food allergies and diabetes. I used gluten free pretzels, and they stayed very crisp, though I made the salad 2 days ago. I also used Splenda in place of the sugar, and sugar free strawberry jello. It was fabulous!! Everyone loved the salad!
Hi Kay, thank you for sharing those substitutions with us. I’m so glad this recipe was enjoyed.
I’ve made this & going to make it for Easter in 3 days. I have sprayed the dish & the pretzels always stuck to the dish so bad, so I am not going to spray or butter the dish this time. Is that what you recommend, not spraying the dish?
Hi Lura, I haven’t had an issue with sticking with using a glass pan. I suggest watching the video tutorial to see where things looked different from my process. The butter used for the crust is usually enough, I don’t spray or butter my pan.
my husband and I enjoy watching your videos, your just a doll! 😛
Thanks to you both, Cindy for always watching! I hope you’ll both love all the recipes that you will try.
Love your videos and recipes. Gonna make the jello pretzel salad for Easter. Yummy.
Sounds like a great plan, Diane. I hope it becomes your new favorite!
Hi Natasha…can I substitute the granulated sugar with powdered sugar n mix with cream cheese?
Hi Eugene, I have not tried that to advise. If you do an experiment, please share with us how it goes.
Hi Eugene, You can substitute granulated sugar with SPLENDA for baking. I’m diabetic and use a lot, and everything comes good, you don’t even know the different.
Just made this. I added marshmallow fluff to the sweetened cream cheese and then folded in the cool whip! That was the one thing missing! Oh my I can’t wait to enjoy this later!
Sounds AMAZING! Thank you, Kris. Enjoy.
Making this again for Father’s Day dessert! My husband absolutely loves this dessert and it’s perfect for a Summer holiday! 🙂
Sounds like a plan! It is indeed perfect for the summer holidays and other occasions.
Hi I made this dessert. But the cream filling was very soft, so why did that happen?
Hi Rose, I would love to help troubleshoot. Did you use any substitutions to cool whip? Cool Whip provides the best results because it doesn’t soften the pretzels and keeps better overnight. If you made your own by using whipped cream, add 2/3 cup sugar to the cream cheese to reach the same sweetness and refrigerate the cream portion for 45 minutes for it to set better. The cream cheese should not overly soft. You don’t need to leave it out more than 1hr before using it. Also, ensure your jello has cooled to room temp before adding it on top of the cream. I hope this helps.
Can I make this the night before and refrigerate…as the meal prep for this dessert takes quite a while….?
Hi Diane, this recipe does keep well in the fridge overnight.
Can any parts be done day before? Like i can cut berries and get pretzels crushed before hand. Any other tips on prepping? Need for sunday.
Hi Becky, I usually like to make this the night before or max 2 days before so the strawberries stay fresh. You could crush pretzels beforehand but thats about it. The berries you’d want to wait to cut until you are ready to use.
Could this be made with sugar and a sugar free gelatin, and lite cool whip…. (For diabetics)
Hi Cindy, I haven’t tried it that way but a couple of my readers have reported good results with sugar-free jello, sugar-free cool whip, and sugar substitute. I can’t really recommend it or tell you how much to substitute without testing it myself. I hope you enjoy it if you try sugar-free 🙂
I made this according to your directions but the jello was rubbery. I was disappointed.
Hi Nat, I recommend watching the video to see if anything was done differently in the preparation – any substitutions made possibly?
Love this strawberry recipe. Has anyone ever tried it with blueberries?
Hi Mary, one of our other readers said this, “I added some blueberries too, just about a 1/4 cup. This in addition to the amount of strawberries the recipe called for. It was a very pretty and yummy dessert!”
I hope that helps.
Hello,
In my country we dont have ‘cool whip’, what can i make instead?
Maybe heavy cream with sugar?
Or philedelpia cheese ith sugar?..
Thank you
Hi Hadari, please see this note in the recipe: “Can I Substitute Cool Whip?”
Hi, I have a question about using whipping cream instead of cool whip. So it says when using whipping cream, to add 2/3 cup of sugar to the cream cheese. Is that on top of the 1/2 cup of sugar or would it be 2/3 cup instead of 1/2 cup?
Hi Lydia, this is in addition to. Cool whip is already sweetened, so if you are making your own whipping cream, you need this addition to reach the same sweetness.
I really loved Olive Gardens Mediterranean Chicken but they discontinued it A few years ago, and I’ve been looking for a recipe for it every since!!!! Please if anyone has a recipe for it I would really appreciate receiving it. Thank-you so much
Hi Sherry, I don’t have a recipe for that yet but thanks for the idea and suggestion. I’ll try to add that to our list.
You could also ask if a fruit salad is fruit or a salad, but I for one don’t give it much thought as long as it is good, I don’t eat a lot of sweets but this sounds good. I think the definition of salad is different products put together so the flavors are mixed together no matter if there loosely together or stacked
I just made the recipe last night. It is delicious although I might try to cut out the sugar in the pretzels next time.
I probably know the answer to this already but can leftovers be frozen?
Hi Noreen, I’m glad you enjoyed that. You may try a substitute in place of sugar, the sugar in the pretzel crust holds the pretzels together, almost like a “glue”. I haven’t tried freezing this recipe, but I suspect it is not freezer-friendly.
Hi Natasha! I saw what i did wrong…..I used 2and 1/2 cups of crushed pretzels instead of 2and 1/2 cups pretzels BEFORE crushing it was just too much. Thank you for the timely response. I’ll give it another whirl!
I hope you try it again soon!