Strawberry Salad with Pretzels

This is a true treat, a little bit salty and a little bit sweet. The perfect mix of the two with other flavors to go along with the great taste. There is cream cheese as a center, crushed pretzels as a base, whipped topping, strawberries and strawberry jello all together in one great dessert.

This is one of those desserts you make and you cannot wait to taste it, until you see how pretty it looks and then you do not want to touch it.

I have a few of those types of recipes, it really is not fair is it? So pretty, but you cannot enjoy it unless you cut into it and destroy the look of it. What makes it even better in my opinion, is the different textures in one simple dessert.

You have the crunchy on the bottom, the thick and creamy in the middle, slick and smooth on top and then a dollop of creaminess over that. It is just an amazing experience.

Frequently Asked Questions:

            Do I need to use a certain shape of pretzel?

Absolutely not, The recipe calls for crushed pretzels. To be honest, I had pretzels left from my Holiday Baking, so I lightly crushed those and used them. I do not think the shape matters. As long as they are only lightly crushed.

            Can I use different flavors?

Of course, you could use mandarin orange if you chose.

            How far in advance can I make this?

I would say at least a half day ahead of time. The dessert needs to set up in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

 What do you need to make Strawberry Salad with Pretzels

            2 ½ cups Pretzels, lightly crushed

            3 tbsp light brown sugar

            ¾ cup butter, unsalted, melted

            1-6 ounce box Strawberry Flavored jello mix

            16 ounces Strawberries, fresh or frozen, sliced

            8 ounces Cream Cheese

            1 cup granulated Sugar

            8 ounce tub whipped topping, such as Cool Whip

How to make Strawberry Salad with Pretzels

FIRST STEP:

Preheat the oven to 350*

In a large bowl combine the lightly crushed pretzels, butter and the brown sugar

a)

b)

Stir to combine well

Press into the lightly greased 9×13 baking dish

SECOND STEP:

Bake for 8 minutes

Remove from the oven and cool completely

Make the jello according to the directions on the package and add in the sliced strawberries

Refrigerate the jello for about one hour until it begins to slightly thicken

a)

b)

c)

THIRD STEP:

In another bowl beat the cream cheese and sugar together

a)

b)

c)

Using a spatula, fold in the whipped topping

Spread the mixture over the pretzel layer, being sure to reach all sides, leave no openings for the jello to drip through

FOURTH STEP:

Pour the jello over the whipped cream cheese layer

Refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours before serving

Garnish with a dollop of Whipped topping and a few slices of sliced strawberries

Enjoy!

YUM!