Description
Sweet-salty magic happens when creamy strawberry pretzel salad meets classic Southern dessert charm. Layers of crunchy pretzel crust, silky cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberry jello create a delightful summer treat you cannot resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust Layer:
- 7 ounces (198 grams) pretzel twists
- 1/3 cup (67 grams) granulated sugar
- 12 tablespoons (170 grams) unsalted butter, melted
Cream Cheese Layer:
- 16 ounces (454 grams) full-fat cream cheese
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 cups (340 grams) heavy cream
- 4 1/2 teaspoons (20 grams) fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
Strawberry Gelatin Layer:
- 1 1/2 tablespoons (15 grams) unflavored gelatin powder
- 2 1/3 cups (550 milliliters) water
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 3 cups (454 grams) strawberries, halved
Instructions
- Crush pretzels and sugar in a food processor until they resemble coarse sand. Combine with melted butter and firmly press into a 9×13 inch baking dish. Bake at 325°F for 15 minutes, then allow to cool completely for 20 minutes.
- Whip cream cheese with sugar, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt until uniformly smooth. Switch to a whisk and incorporate heavy cream, beating until stiff peaks form.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Gently cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate.
- Dissolve gelatin in a small portion of water. Combine remaining water, sugar, lemon juice, and strawberries in a saucepan. Simmer until berries soften, then strain the liquid. Stir dissolved gelatin into the warm strawberry mixture.
- Once the jello mixture reaches room temperature, carefully pour over the chilled cream cheese layer. Artfully arrange additional fresh strawberries throughout the jello. Refrigerate for 4 hours until the top layer is completely set and firm.
Notes
- Pretzel Crust Tip Crush pretzels finely to create a consistent, sandy texture that ensures even baking and a stable base for the dessert.
- Cream Cheese Smoothness Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for silky-smooth filling without lumps, blending effortlessly with other ingredients.
- Gelatin Setting Technique Allow jello mixture to cool slightly before pouring to prevent melting the cream cheese layer and maintain distinct, beautiful layers.
- Dietary Adaptation Swap regular ingredients with gluten-free pretzels and sugar-free jello for celiac or low-sugar diet requirements, maintaining the dessert’s delightful texture and flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 45mg