Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Name: Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Prep time: PT0D0H0M
Cook time: PT0D12H0M
Total time: PT0D12H0M
Yield: Makes twelve 2-inch bars
Ingredients: 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing; 8 oz. pretzels; 2 Tbsp. sugar; 8 oz. softened cream cheese; One 8-oz. tub Cool Whip, thawed, plus more for garnish (optional); 1 cup sugar; Two 0.3-oz. strawberry gelatin boxes; 20 oz. frozen sliced strawberries (see headnote), plus more for garnish (optional)

Our favorite picnic dessert this season is a “salad” that calls for Cool Whip and Jell-O—and we’re not sorry.

Serves
Makes twelve 2-inch bars
Time
12 hours

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LINDA XIAO; FOOD STYLING BY JASON SCHREIBER; PROP STYLING BY SUMMER MOORE

By Joyce Skena

Published on June 29, 2022

Strawberry pretzel salad is a time-honored relic of the 1970s, when Jell-O salads were all the rage. The dish, a picnic favorite with kids and adults alike, is low-effort but needs several hours to set up in the fridge. Those without a food processor can crush the pretzels in a resealable bag with a rolling pin. It’s important to spread each layer to the edge of the pan to prevent seepage. Using frozen strawberries speeds up the cooling of the gelatin; if you prefer fresh berries, cool the gelatin mixture to room temperature before adding the fruit.

Featured in “This Dolly Parton-Approved “Salad” Is About To Be Your Picnic Mainstay” by Rossilynne Skena Culgan.

Ingredients

For the crust:

12 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted, plus more for greasing
8 oz. pretzels
2 Tbsp. sugar

For the middle layer:

8 oz. softened cream cheese
One 8-oz. tub Cool Whip, thawed, plus more for garnish (optional)
1 cup sugar

For the top layer:

Two 0.3-oz. strawberry gelatin boxes
20 oz. frozen sliced strawberries (see headnote), plus more for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

Step 1

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400ºF. Butter a 9-by-13-inch pan.

Step 2

Make the crust: In a food processor, pulverize the pretzels to coarse crumbs, about seven 1-second pulses. Add the sugar and butter and blend until incorporated, about three pulses more. Scrape into the pan and use the bottom of a glass to press into an even layer all the way to the edges. Bake until beginning to brown, about 7 minutes, then remove from the oven and cool thoroughly, at least 1 hour.

Step 3

Make the middle layer: Using a stand or handheld electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar. Use a silicone spatula to spread evenly over the crust to the edges of the pan, then cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Step 4

Make the top layer: In a bowl, whisk 2 cups of boiling water into the gelatin until dissolved. Add the strawberries and stir until the berries are thawed and the liquid is room temperature and beginning to thicken. Pour over the cream layer, cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Step 5

To serve, cut into 2-inch squares in the pan, wiping the knife as you go to ensure the layers remain visible. Top each square with additional Cool Whip and strawberries if desired.