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Creamy Strawberry Pretzel Salad Dessert Recipe with Easy Crunchy Crust

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A nostalgic dessert featuring a salty crunchy pretzel crust, a smooth cream cheese layer, and a vibrant strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or summer barbecues.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pretzels, finely crushed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 box (3 oz) strawberry gelatin
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
  2. Crush 2 cups of pretzels finely to a coarse sand-like texture. In a bowl, combine crushed pretzels with 1/4 cup sugar, then stir in 6 tablespoons melted butter until mixture resembles wet sand.
  3. Press the pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish, packing firmly. Bake for about 7 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool completely.
  4. In a large bowl, beat 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar with a mixer until smooth and creamy.
  5. In a separate chilled bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, keeping as much air as possible for fluffiness.
  6. Spread the cream cheese layer evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Refrigerate while preparing the strawberry topping.
  7. In a saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Remove from heat and whisk in the strawberry gelatin and 2 tablespoons sugar until fully dissolved. Let cool about 10 minutes but do not let it set.
  8. Arrange 4 cups sliced strawberries evenly over the cream cheese layer. Slowly pour the cooled gelatin mixture over the strawberries, coating them well.
  9. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until gelatin is firm.
  10. Slice into squares using a sharp knife dipped in hot water for clean cuts. Serve chilled.

Notes

Soften cream cheese at room temperature or microwave in short bursts to avoid lumps. Chill bowl and beaters before whipping cream for best results. Pour gelatin mixture slowly over strawberries to prevent displacement. Chill dessert at least 4 hours or overnight for best set. Watch crust baking time carefully to avoid bitterness.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry pretzel salad, creamy dessert, pretzel crust, strawberry gelatin, easy dessert, potluck dessert, summer dessert

Find it online: https://tastypierecipes.com/creamy-strawberry-pretzel-salad-dessert-recipe-with-easy-crunchy-crust/