Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
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Strawberry Pretzel Dessert - This classic, potluck favorite features a crunchy pretzel crust topped with sweet cream and an irresistible strawberry jello topping. It's the perfect combination of sweet and salty!
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Raise your hand if you love summer potlucks.?♀️Honestly, I love a good potluck any time of the year. Potlucks are great because everyone pitches in and brings a dish to pass. What kind of dish do you bring to a potluck? I'll tell you what kind of dish. . . your best dish. Yep, you heard me right.
I mean, isn't it true? When you bring food to a potluck, don't you make something that you know has gotten rave reviews in the past? Something you know everyone likes? Of course you do.
It remains unspoken but, ladies, let's be honest. Potlucks are really a bit of a cooking competition. The person whose dish is finished first, wins.
There aren't any trophies or medals given out but the empty dish you take home is reward enough. It feels awesome to go home from a potluck without any leftovers. It means your dish was AWESOME!
That's why today I'm sharing one of my favorite potluck recipes, Strawberry Pretzel Dessert. Some people call it a salad, but I choose to call it a dessert.
It's one of those classic recipes that everyone loves - sweet, salty, crunchy, creamy. You'll go home with an empty dish, I promise you that.
Let's get to making this dessert so you can go and claim your "prize."
Making Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
The pretzel crust is one of my favorite parts of the dish. Pretzels, butter and sugar. How could you go wrong with that combination?
The cream layer comes next. Use a hand mixer to combine the whipped topping, cream cheese and sugar.
Then gently spread it over the pretzel crust.
Ready for the star of the show? It's the strawberry layer.
It's made by combining strawberry jello, boiling water and sliced strawberries.
Go ahead and refrigerate the dessert for about 30 minutes to allow the jello to set.
After that, it's time to dig in! But not before adding a big dollop of whipped cream to the top. Everything is better with whipped cream.
And a pretzel.
Or a strawberry.
It's really your call. And whether you decide to cut the strawberry in half or not is also completely up to you.
I thought it would be fun to provide you with three different final looks. Which one do you like best?
While you decide, I'll be right here digging into this deliciousness.
That unspoken blue ribbon prize is going to be yours this summer!☺️
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Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
Ingredients
For the Base Layer:
- 2 cups pretzels (crushed)
- ¾ cup butter (melted)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
For the Cream Layer:
- 2 cups whipped topping
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup sugar
For the Strawberry Layer:
- 2 packages of strawberry jello (3 ounces each)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 32 ounces frozen sliced strawberries (thawed)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350º Fahrenheit.
- In a small mixing bowl, combine base layer ingredients.
- Press mixture into a greased 13x9" baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to completely cool.
- To make cream layer, beat whipped topping, cream cheese, and sugar in a medium mixing bowl until smooth.
- Spread cream over crust. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- To prepare strawberry layer, stir jello into boiling water until dissolved.
- Stir in strawberries.
- Refrigerate until jello begins to thicken.
- Spoon over cream layer.
- Refrigerate for 4 hours before serving.
Notes
- Crust Consistency: Ensure the pretzel crust forms a solid base for your dessert by thoroughly combining the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of the baking dish to create an even layer. This step helps prevent the crust from crumbling when slicing and serving the dessert.
- Cream Layer Smoothness: Achieve a smooth and creamy texture for the middle layer by thoroughly blending the whipped topping, softened cream cheese, and sugar. Use an electric mixer or whisk vigorously until the mixture is uniform and free of lumps. This ensures a delightful contrast to the crunchy crust and fruity strawberry layer.
- Jello Setting Time: Allow the strawberry jello mixture to thicken slightly in the refrigerator before pouring it over the cream layer. This helps prevent the jello from seeping into the cream layer and maintains distinct layers in the dessert. Refrigerate the completed dessert for at least 4 hours to allow all the layers to set properly, ensuring a well-defined and deliciously refreshing treat.
I pulverized dehydrated strawberries and added to the Jello layer and I used real whipped cream vs Cool Whip. I bought too much whipped cream so I added another layer with just the cream and topped with some dehydrated strawberries sprinkled and a cut up fresh strawberry. Yum!!!