Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert

This post may contain affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase through these links, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I do not promote anything I do not find helpful or effective.

This unforgettable strawberry pretzel jello dessert has likely made it to your palate at a gathering. If not, you MUST try it.  I can still remember the wow factor of the sweet salty strawberry creamy wonderful taste the first time I had it at a graduation party fifteen years ago. I had to have seconds.

The Name: Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert

Some call it Strawberry Pretzel Jello Salad.  That title is misleading as it is no where near the salad department. Since it lands more in the dessert category, I intend to call it Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert. I found a recipe for it in a newspaper article once, before the internet was teeming with recipes. But it had pineapple in it. And it wasn’t quite the same.

I tried a few other recipes. One was found at umwhatareyoudoing.blogspot.com. But I felt these recipes had either too much cream cheese filling, or not enough strawberries. Properly balancing these two aspects, along with the sweet, salty crunch of the pretzel crust creates the optimum combination for a stellar strawberry pretzel jello dessert. Anytime I take it to a gathering, it’s a crowd-pleaser. And the pan is usually empty when it’s time to go. I really don’t mind leftovers with this dessert.

The Steps of Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert

The entire process takes about three hours, mostly due to some wait time for cooling and setting. But totally worth it!!!

The first step is to soften the cream cheese. I do this by placing the foil-wrapped cheese in a warm bath of water in a plastic container about an hour before needed. Works beautifully.

The crust is simple. Crushed pretzels, melted butter and sugar. Baked for ten minutes. And cooled.

Use a rolling pin to crush the pretzels in a zip-lock bag.

Mix the crust ingredients.

I really like my OXO Good Grips batter mixing bowl. I’ve had it for five years now and find it worthy of every mixing task.

The baked crust. Allow to cool for 45 minutes on a wire rack.

While the crust is cooling, get the cream cheese filling ready.

Mix sugar and softened cream cheese with a hand mixer to combine well. Then fold in the thawed cool whip.

Spread evenly on cooled crust. Allow to chill in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

While the cream cheese layer is chilling, clean, hull and slice the one to two pounds of beautiful strawberries. If you don’t have two pounds, that’s okay. I just prefer two pounds.  Also, start the water boiling for the jello.

I strongly recommend using real JELL-O brand strawberry jello. (They aren’t even paying me to say that.) I’ve tried other generic brands and they simply are not as good as JELL-O.

Place the strawberry layer on top of the cream cheese layer. You can use frozen strawberries in a pinch. But freshly sliced in my opinion are the best way to go for texture and taste.

The Jello Layer

Mix the 6 oz JELL-O packet with two cups of boiling water in a large bowl until all the jello granules are dissolved. Pour carefully over the strawberry layer. This is also your last chance to arrange the strawberries evenly if any are not to your liking. Make sure all of the strawberries are submerged in the liquid jello layer. Let refrigerate for at least one hour for the jello to set.

Here you are. The beautiful and delicious layers of strawberry pretzel jello dessert.

Enjoy!

Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert from nickelplatekitchen.com

November 5, 2018

Servings: 12

Prep: 2 hr 50 min

Cook: 10 min

Total: 3 hr

Difficulty: moderate

Print This

The sweet and salty pretzel crust, the sweet and creamy middle layer and the strawberries in jello create the perfect dessert that everyone will enjoy.

By: Elizabeth Newman

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups crushed pretzels
• 4 tbsp white sugar
• 3/4 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8oz) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 2 pounds fresh strawberries (or about four cups sliced)
• 1 (6oz) package strawberry JELL-O gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water

Directions

• Step 1 Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix crushed pretzels, 4 tbsp sugar and melted butter. Press into bottom of a 9×13 pan. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack ~ about 45 minutes.
• Step 2 While crust is cooling, beat softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth. Hand mixer works best. Then fold in the thawed whipped topping with a spatula until combined. Spread evenly over cooled crust. Leave in refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
• Step 3 While cream cheese mixture is chilling, start water to boil for the jello.
• Step 4 Clean, hull and slice strawberries. Place strawberries evenly on the cream cheese layer.
• Step 5 Pour boiling water into a large bowl with the strawberry JELL-O gelatin. Mix until dissolved. Pour carefully over the strawberry layer. Rearrange any strawberries to create an even layer. Try to make sure all strawberries are submerged in the liquid jello.
• Step 6 Place in refrigerator and allow to set for at least one hour.

Did you try this recipe?

I’d love to see a picture of your Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert. Share it on Instagram @nickelplatekitchen or #nickelplatekitchen. Happy cooking!