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Easy No-Bake Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe with Creamy Layer Tips

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A nostalgic and refreshing no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy salty pretzel crust, a smooth creamy layer, and a sweet strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for summer gatherings and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pretzels, crushed
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • 1 package (6 oz) strawberry-flavored gelatin
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
  • Optional: 1 cup frozen strawberries, thawed

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Crush 2 cups of pretzels finely using a rolling pin inside a ziplock bag.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar. Stir until well coated.
  3. Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes until set and fragrant. Let cool completely.
  4. Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese and 1 cup powdered sugar together with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  5. In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup heavy cream until soft peaks form.
  6. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture using a spatula. Spread this creamy layer evenly over the cooled pretzel crust and smooth the top.
  7. Refrigerate the crust and creamy layer while preparing the strawberry topping.
  8. Dissolve one 6 oz package of strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Let cool to room temperature but do not let it set.
  9. Slice 3 cups fresh strawberries and add 1 cup thawed frozen strawberries if desired.
  10. Stir the strawberries gently into the cooled gelatin mixture.
  11. Pour the strawberry gelatin mixture evenly over the creamy layer in the baking dish.
  12. Refrigerate the assembled salad for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow layers to set firmly.
  13. Serve chilled directly from the refrigerator.

Notes

Press pretzel crust firmly and bake to prevent sogginess. Use room temperature cream cheese for smoothness. Whip cream to soft peaks only. Cool gelatin before adding strawberries to avoid melting creamy layer. Assemble layers gently for best texture. Can substitute gluten-free pretzels or dairy-free alternatives as needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake dessert, strawberry pretzel salad, creamy layer, summer dessert, easy recipe, potluck dessert, no-bake salad

Find it online: https://daintydine.com/easy-no-bake-strawberry-pretzel-salad-recipe-with-creamy-layer-tips/