Most folk name this strawberry pretzel salad however in my household it’s merely referred to as jello salad. This recipe is one thing my late great-aunt Ina used to make for large household dinners. To me, this feels just like the quintessential Thanksgiving or Christmas facet dish, because it simply feels very retro and Midwest to me.
There are numerous variations of Strawberry Pretzel salad, so here’s what you may count on from this recipe. This can be a dessert OR candy facet dish in three layers: pretzel crust, cream cheese middle, and a strawberry-cranberry Jello high.
I like so as to add a sugared cranberries garnish alongside the sting only for a festive look, however that is completely optionally available.
As I discussed, that is my great-aunt Ina’s recipe. I needed to get it from my grandmother who delivered it to me as a handwritten photocopy, which I beloved. I just about keep on with her Jello salad recipe with one variation which I’ll share under.
Associated: The Finest Fruit Salad, Ambrosia Salad, Watergate Salad, Jello Poke Cake, and 15+ Straightforward No-Bake Desserts.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Components:
- Strawberry Jello combine
- Cranberry juice
- Frozen strawberries
- Cream cheese
- Cool Whip
- Granulated white sugar
- Butter
- Pretzels
Methods to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad:
This can be a layered dessert that requires some setting time. So, it’s greatest to make this the day earlier than you propose to serve it. Personally, I really like a make forward recipe, particularly once I’m prepping for a giant meal.
Layer 1 = Crushed pretzels and melted butter that get baked right into a crust.
Layer 2 = Softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar get blended collectively after which layered over the cooled crust.
Layer 3 = Strawberry Jello combine made with cranberry juice and frozen strawberries are added to the highest layer. Then, permit the dessert to totally set (coated within the fridge) earlier than serving.
Suggestions for Making Jello Salad:
- For the strawberry Jello, I comply with the instructions on the field, substituting the chilly water for chilly cranberry juice as an alternative. This provides extra taste and a tartness to this candy facet dish.
- I prefer to pulse the frozen strawberries in a meals processor a pair occasions earlier than including to the Jello combine. My intention is to not fully puree them, however depart some variance in texture, as you may see within the images right here.
- This recipe is greatest made in a 9×13 pan. Nonetheless, as you may see, I made it in a barely smaller dish as pictured right here. That is completely nice—it simply means your layers will probably be just a little thicker and it might take just a little longer for the Jello to totally set.
Extra Vacation Desserts
Is strawberry pretzel salad a facet dish or dessert? Truthfully, I’ve had it served each methods earlier than, so it’s fully as much as you. Listed here are another vacation desserts you would possibly like:
- Eclair No-Bake Cake – one other scrumptious layered dessert
- 15 Pumpkin Desserts
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Straightforward 3 Ingredient Fudge
FAQ
Often Requested Questions
How lengthy does Jello salad final within the fridge?
This Jello salad recipe will final a minimum of 3-5 days within the fridge. After round 5 days, the Jello layer will start to run into the cream cheese layer, making it pink, and the crust will probably be develop into soggy.
Can I make Jello salad forward?
Sure. Actually it’s greatest to make this Jello salad recipe the day earlier than you propose to serve it.
Is Jello salad a dessert or facet dish?
It relies upon! I’ve had this Jello salad recipe served as each a facet dish and a dessert at completely different meals. I truly assume the cranberry strawberry Jello tastes nice alongside turkey, however this recipe most intently resembles a dessert by the components.
Jello Salad
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Gear
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1 9×13 baking dish
Components
Crust
- 2 cups pretzels crushed
- ¾ cup butter melted
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
Jello Layer
- Massive field strawberry Jello Combine off manufacturers are nice, too
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 pound frozen strawberries chopped
Directions
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To make the crust, crush the pretzels. That is simple to do in a meals processor.
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Add the pretzels and melted butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir to mix.
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Press the combination into the underside of a 9×13 baking dish.
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Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Permit to totally cool.
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To make the cream cheese layer, whip collectively the softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar.
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Spoon this combination over the cooled crust and seal the perimeters fully.
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To make the Jello layer, chop up the frozen strawberries. I do that by pulsing a couple of occasions within the meals processor.
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Observe the field directions to make the Jello. This may embody boiling two cups of water and likewise including two cups of chilly water, which it’s best to substitute for chilly cranberry juice as an alternative. Then, add the frozen strawberries.
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Let the Jello partially set earlier than including to the highest of the cream cheese layer.
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Cowl and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours so the Jello absolutely units. I normally make this the evening earlier than I plan to serve it.
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Optionally available: Toss recent cranberries in just a little water after which toss in 1/4 cup granulated white sugar to make fast sugared cranberries for a garnished edge.
