Description
Strawberry Pretzel Salad is a delicious layered dessert featuring a crunchy salty pretzel crust, a creamy sweet cheesecake layer, and a vibrant strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for gatherings, this refreshing treat combines textures and flavors for a crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 2 cups finely crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 3/4 cup melted butter
Cheesecake Layer
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 1 cup sugar
- 8 ounces thawed whipped cream topping
Strawberry Gelatin Layer
- 6 ounces strawberry-flavored vegan gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries (added per instruction detail)
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spray a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the dessert.
- Make and Bake Crust: In a bowl, blend the finely crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 1/2 cup sugar until combined. Press this mixture evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Once baked, remove and allow the crust to cool completely.
- Prepare Cheesecake Layer: Beat softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the thawed whipped cream topping to maintain a light texture. Chill this mixture in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes to help it set slightly before spreading.
- Assemble Cheesecake Layer: Spread the chilled cheesecake mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust layer in the pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
- Make Strawberry Gelatin Topping: Dissolve the 6 ounces of strawberry-flavored vegan gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring well until completely dissolved. Stir in 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries evenly into the gelatin mixture.
- Finish and Chill: Pour the strawberry gelatin mixture with strawberries evenly over the cheesecake layer. Refrigerate the entire dessert for at least 4 hours until fully set and firm before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the pretzel crust is fully cooled before adding the cheesecake layer to prevent melting.
- Use thawed whipped cream topping for best texture and ease of folding.
- Fresh strawberries add natural sweetness and texture to the gelatin layer, but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours to allow proper setting of the gelatin topping.
- For easier slicing, dip the knife in hot water before cutting the salad.
