This Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is a time-honored tradition on the Eastern Shore. It masterfully combines the crunch of pretzels, the richness of cream cheese, and the sweetness of strawberry Jello. Each bite offers an incredible blend of textures and flavors, that is perfect to serve any holiday gathering. While it is customary to serve this dish as a side dish, it also works great as a dessert.
Eastern Shore Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
The Pretzel Jello Salad is a mix of fun textures and tastes. It starts with a crunchy pretzel bottom that's a little bit salty. In the middle, there's a smooth cream cheese layer that's sweet and rich. On top, there's a bright strawberry Jello layer with real fruit pieces. It's firm, fruity, and a little bit tart. Each part is different, but they work together to make a dessert that's exciting to eat and full of great flavors.
1pkgJell-O® strawberry-flavored gelatin, (6 oz strawberry Jell-O)
2cupswater, boiling
1lbfresh strawberries, topped and sliced
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350°F. Blend strawberry Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water and stir until completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
Crush 2 cups pretzels in a resealable bag. You want to break up the pretzels but still have texture, not dust.
In a medium sauce pan, melt butter then add 1/4 cup sugar and stir. Combine with crushed pretzels.
Transfer to a 13×9 glass or metal casserole dish. Press the pretzel mix evenly over the bottom of the dish and bake for 10 min at 350°F. Make sure you keep an eye on this as it will burn quite easily. Set aside and let cool.
When pretzel crust has cooled, use a hand mixer to beat 8 oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar on med speed until light and fluffy. Fold in 8 oz Cool Whip thoroughly. There should be no streaks of cream cheese. Spread mixture over pretzel crust, spreading to the edges of the dish to create a tight seal. Refrigerate 30 minutes.
Top and slice strawberries, then stir into your room temperature jello. Pour and spread strawberry jello mixture over the cooled cream cheese layer. Refrigerate until jello is for at least 2 hours.
Notes
✅ You can use fresh or frozen strawberries✅ It is important to let the pretzel crust cool, before adding the cream cheese mixture✅ Make sure to allow for at least 2 hours in the fridge for ingredients to firm up💡 The more time you allow this recipe to cool the better. I suggest making the night before for best results!
Can I use low-fat or non-dairy alternatives for the cream and cream cheese?
Yes, you can use low-fat cream cheese and whipped topping for a lighter version. If you’re dairy-free, use dairy-free alternatives for the cream cheese and whipped cream, but make sure they’re good substitutes for baking to maintain the dish’s texture.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time for a party?
Yes, in fact, it’s recommended! Making the Pretzel Jello Salad a day in advance allows all the layers to set properly. Just keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve.
How long will this Pretzel Jello Salad keep in the refrigerator?
You can keep the Pretzel Jello Salad in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Just make sure to cover it well to keep it fresh and prevent it from absorbing other flavors in the fridge.
