Delicious Strawberry Pretzel Salad Delight
This luscious Strawberry Pretzel Salad Delight is a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors that come together in one stunning dish! A crunchy pretzel crust forms the base, complemented by a creamy, rich cream cheese layer, and topped with a vibrant strawberry-pineapple gelatin. Perfect for summer gatherings, potlucks, or any occasion where you want to impress your guests with a show-stopping dessert. Although inspired by a well-known talk show, this dish is loved by many and will surely be a hit at your table! Remember, this recipe calls for canned pineapple to ensure the jello sets perfectly. Perfect for those who love a mix of textures and flavors in their desserts.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
crushed thin unsalted pretzels
2 cups (crushed)
sugar
3 tablespoons (for crust)
melted butter
3/4 cup (melted)
Philadelphia Cream Cheese
(8 ounces) (softened)
sugar
1 cup (for filling)
Cool Whip
(8 ounces) (thawed)
strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert
(6 ounces) (powdered)
boiling water
2 cups (for dissolving gelatin)
frozen strawberries
2 (10 ounces) (thawed)
crushed pineapple
(8 ounces) (from a can, drained)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
In a large bowl, combine crushed pretzels, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and melted butter until the pretzels are well coated.
3
Press the pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
4
Bake the pretzel crust in the preheated oven for 7 minutes, then remove and let it cool for about 1 hour.
5
While the crust is cooling, beat together the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar until smooth and creamy.
6
Fold in the Cool Whip gently until combined.
7
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
8
In a separate bowl, dissolve the strawberry Jell-O in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved.
9
Add the thawed frozen strawberries and the crushed pineapple to the Jell-O mixture, stirring well.
10
Chill the Jell-O mixture in the refrigerator until it thickens slightly but is still pourable.
11
Once it reaches the desired consistency, pour the Jell-O mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
12
Refrigerate the entire dish until fully set, about 4 hours or overnight for the best results.
13
Slice into squares to serve and enjoy!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delicious Strawberry Pretzel Salad Delight?
It is a layered dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy cream cheese filling, and a strawberry-pineapple gelatin topping.
What type of pretzels should be used for the crust?
The recipe calls for 2 cups of crushed thin unsalted pretzels.
How do I prepare the pretzel crust?
Combine crushed pretzels, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 3/4 cup of melted butter, then press into a 9x13 inch dish and bake.
At what temperature should the crust be baked?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C).
How long does the pretzel crust need to bake?
The crust should be baked for 7 minutes.
How long should the crust cool before adding the next layer?
The crust needs to cool for approximately 1 hour after baking.
What ingredients are in the middle creamy layer?
The middle layer consists of 8 ounces of softened Philadelphia Cream Cheese, 1 cup of sugar, and 8 ounces of thawed Cool Whip.
How do I combine the cream cheese and Cool Whip?
Beat the cream cheese and sugar together until smooth, then gently fold in the Cool Whip.
How much strawberry Jell-O is required?
The recipe uses one 6-ounce package of strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert.
How do I dissolve the gelatin powder?
Stir the Jell-O powder into 2 cups of boiling water until it is fully dissolved.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
No, you must use canned crushed pineapple to ensure the gelatin sets properly.
Do the frozen strawberries need to be thawed?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 20 ounces of frozen strawberries that have been thawed.
Should the crushed pineapple be drained?
Yes, the 8 ounces of canned crushed pineapple should be drained before being added to the Jell-O mixture.
When should I pour the Jell-O over the cream cheese layer?
Wait until the Jell-O mixture has thickened slightly in the refrigerator but is still pourable.
How long must the entire dish refrigerate to set?
The dish should refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight for the best results.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 9x13 inch baking dish is the appropriate size for this recipe.
Is this recipe suitable for potlucks?
Yes, it is described as a show-stopping dessert perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.
How many ingredients are in this Strawberry Pretzel Salad?
There are 10 ingredients in total including the crust, filling, and topping components.
Does the cream cheese need to be softened?
Yes, softening the cream cheese allows it to be beaten into a smooth and creamy consistency with the sugar.
Is there any salt added to the crust?
The recipe uses unsalted pretzels and does not call for additional salt, relying on the butter and sugar for flavor.
How should the dessert be sliced?
Once fully set, it should be sliced into squares for serving.
What flavor profile does this dish have?
It offers a delightful combination of sweet and savory flavors with a mix of crunchy and creamy textures.
Can I use different flavors of gelatin?
While this specific recipe uses strawberry, the technique is fundamental to pretzel salads and could be adapted.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Why is it important to spread the cream cheese layer to the edges?
Spreading it evenly to the edges creates a seal that prevents the Jell-O from leaking into the pretzel crust.
Is this dessert served warm or cold?
This is a chilled dessert that must be kept refrigerated until serving.
How much butter is used for the base?
The recipe requires 3/4 cup of melted butter.
How much sugar is used in total?
The recipe uses 1 cup of sugar for the filling and 3 tablespoons of sugar for the crust.
Can I substitute the Cool Whip?
The recipe specifies Cool Whip for its stability and texture in the cream cheese layer.
Is there a specific brand of gelatin recommended?
The recipe suggests using Jell-O brand strawberry gelatin dessert.