Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the perfect summer dessert. With fresh berries being perfect right now, this strawberry blueberry dessert is great for potlucks, cookouts, pool parties, and just any warm weather get together! You can tweak this pretzel salad recipe for any time of year too.
Strawberry Blueberry Dessert
This strawberry and blueberry dessert can be debated as to whether it can really be called a salad. But whether you think it’s a salad or just a regular dessert, it’s always popular and it’s so easy to make!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make – You don’t need any fancy tools or advanced kitchen skills to make this recipe. It’s a great one to have the kids help with too!
- Sweet and Salty Flavor Combo – The crunchy pretzel crust pairs with the sweet creamy Cool Whip and fruity topping for that delicious sweet and salty mix.
- Versatile – This version of pretzel salad is a great 4th of July pretzel dessert. But you can also serve this Cool Whip berry dessert at family dinners, potlucks, picnics, and other holidays. You can even swap in different fruits to fit the celebration.
Ingredients & Equipment
The ingredients list for this recipe is super easy. Everything is a common ingredient and should be easy to find in your grocery store. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Pretzels
- Butter
- White sugar
- Cream cheese
- Whipped topping (Cool Whip)
- Strawberry gelatin (Jell-o)
- Water
- Frozen strawberries (you can also use fresh strawberries)
- Fresh blueberries
Full measurements for each ingredient can be found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
You’ll also need a few things from the kitchen:
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- 2 Large microwave safe bowls
- Gallon size zipper bag
- Rolling pin
- Spoon
- Silicone spatula
- Clear 9×13 baking dish (you can use any 9×13 dish but clear works well with this recipe to showcase the colors of the layers)
- Electric hand mixer (you can also use a stand mixer)
- Whisk
Step by Step Instructions
Step 1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Step 2. Add the gelatin to a large microwave (heat) safe bowl and pour 2 cups of boiling water over it. Whisk for a few minutes until the gelatin powder is completely dissolved.
Step 3. Stir the frozen strawberries into the gelatin mixture and chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes then set aside at room temperature.
Step 4. Put the pretzels in the plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. You want the pretzel pieces to be about ¼ inch for the crust to form properly.
Step 5. Melt the butter in a large microwave safe bowl.
Step 6. Add the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar to a bowl and stir well.
Step 7. Press the mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9×13-inch casserole dish.
Step 8. Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
Step 9. While the crust cools, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar together until creamy.
Step 10. Gently fold in the whipped topping until there are no streaks in the mixture.
Step 11. Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, spreading it out completely, making sure you get it to the sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Step 12. Pour the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer then gently spread it out across the whole layer. Scatter fresh blueberries across the top.
Step 13. Chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or until fully set.
Recipe Variations
There are some very easy ways to change up this recipe for different tastes or occasions.
- Fruit Swaps – Switch out strawberries for raspberries, peaches, pineapple, or a mixed berry blend.
- Different Jello Flavors – Try raspberry, peach, orange, or lemon gelatin for a fun twist.
- Nutty Topping – Sprinkle chopped pecans, walnuts, or almonds on top for extra crunch.
- Lighter Version – Use sugar-free Jello and a light whipped topping for a lighter treat.
- Chocolate Drizzle – Add a light drizzle of melted chocolate over the finished dessert for added sweetness.
- Use Fresh Fruits Only – You can also skip using frozen fruit and use fresh fruit for the entire recipe. Try fruit like cherries, blackberries, raspberries, etc.
- Some popular combinations you might want to try are raspberries and raspberry jello, mandarin oranges and orange jello, and peaches with peach jello.
Leftovers & Storage
You can store any pretzel salad leftovers in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. The longer you keep the leftovers, the more the layers may combine.
Tips & Tricks
- Be sure to dissolve the gelatin according to instructions in this recipe and not on the Jello box.
- Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing. This will help you to get a smooth and lump-free mixture.
- Be sure your whipped topping is thawed before making this recipe. Otherwise it will also be more challenging to mix.
- When mixing the whipped topping, be sure to use a gentle folding motion to keep its light and fluffy texture.
- You can use a stand mixer or a hand mixer to blend the cream cheese and sugar together. If you don’t have either, you can just use a spatula or mixing spoon. It will just take a bit more work on your part.
- Make sure to spread the cream cheese layer all of the way to the edges of the pretzel crust to prevent the Jello layer from leaking through to the crust.
FAQs
Can I make a no-bake version of this easy strawberry pretzel salad?
Yes, you can make a no-bake version of strawberry pretzel salad. You can skip baking the crust. Mix crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar, then press the mixture firmly into your dish. Chill the crust in the fridge for 30–45 minutes to help it set before adding layers.
Can I make this strawberry pretzel salad recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can make strawberry pretzel salad ahead of time. In fact, it’s even better when made a few hours or a day early. If you’re making it more than a few hours before you plan to serve it, I recommend not adding any fresh fruit or garnishes until just before serving to keep them from getting soggy.
Can I make strawberry pretzel salad in a bowl?
Yes, you can. You will just build the layers in the same order—pretzel crust on the bottom, creamy layer, then strawberry Jello layer on top. It may set a bit faster or slower depending on bowl size and depth. Make sure each layer is firm before adding the next one.
More Cool Whip Desserts
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ¾ cup butter melted
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 3 tbsp granulated sugar
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 8 ounce frozen whipped topping thawed
- 6 oz family size package strawberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 16 oz package frozen strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Add the gelatin to a large microwave (heat) safe bowl and pour 2 cups of boiling water over it. Whisk for a few minutes until the gelatin powder is completely dissolved.
- Stir the frozen strawberries into the gelatin mixture and chill in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes then set aside at room temperature.
- Put the pretzels in the plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them. You want the pretzel pieces to be about ¼ inch for the crust to form properly.
- Melt the butter in a large microwave safe bowl.
- Add the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of the sugar to a bowl and stir well.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13-inch casserole dish.
- Transfer the pan to the oven and bake for 8-10 minutes. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- While the crust cools, use an electric mixer to beat the cream cheese and 1 cup of sugar together until creamy. Gentle fold in the whipped topping until there are no streaks in the mixture.
- Pour the cream cheese mixture over the cooled crust, spreading it out completely, making sure you get it to the sides. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Pour the gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer then gently spread it out across the whole layer. Scatter fresh blueberries across the top.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 2-3 hours or until fully set.
Notes
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