Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

This chilled, creamy strawberry icebox pie is the dessert equivalent of a swimming hole—so refreshing you can't help but dive in. It's the kind of pie you hope for during hot summer months; light, refreshing, and fruity, with a salty-sweet balance from the pretzel crust that adds a surprising contrast. Condensed milk and cream cheese pair with fresh strawberries for a dense, tangy filling that highlights the flavor of the ripe fruit.

The fresh whipped cream on top balances the crisp crust and rich strawberry filling, making each bite the perfect combination of flavors and textures. Serve chilled with lightly sweetened, sliced strawberries alongside to accentuate the flavor of fresh summer berries in the pie, and your guests will feel revitalized.

What Is Icebox Pie?

Icebox pies are a classic Southern dessert, typically made with a cookie or blind-baked pastry crust, and filled with custard or gelatin-based fillings. They're often topped with whipped cream for a final creamy flourish.

These pies are named after the place they were stored, the icebox. Before electric refrigerators were introduced to the public in the 1930s, iceboxes were insulated vessels that could store large blocks of ice, along with perishable items like icebox pies. Quick, easy to make, and able to be served cold, icebox pies were and are a popular no-bake summer dessert.

Ingredients for Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

To make this icebox pie, you'll need:

• Pretzel sticks: For the crust.
• Butter: Helps bind the crushed pretzel pieces.
• Light brown sugar: Adds sweetness to the crust.
• Fresh strawberries: It's not a strawberry icebox pie without fresh strawberries.
• Sweetened condensed milk: Adds richness to the pie filling.
• Cream cheese: Makes up the bulk of the creamy pie filling.
• Strawberry gelatin: Helps set the pie filling and adds strawberry flavor.
• Whipping cream: For the whipped cream in the filling and on top.
• Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness to the whipped cream topping.

Want a substitute for the pretzel crust? Check out our recipe for homemade graham cracker crust, or sub in your favorite crushed crisp cookies.

How To Make Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

The full recipe for this refreshing icebox pie is below, but here's a brief recap to get you started:

• Step 1. Make the crust: Preheat oven 350°F. Stir to combine pretzels, brown sugar, and butter; press into a 10-inch pie plate. Bake 10 to 12 minutes until lightly browned; cool completely.
• Step 2. Puree strawberries: Process strawberries until finely chopped.
• Step 3. Make pie filling: Beat condensed milk, cream cheese, and gelatin until smooth. Add strawberries; beat until blended. Whip 3/4 cup cream to soft peaks and fold into strawberry mixture.
• Step 4. Freeze pie: Spoon pie filling into crust; cover and freeze 8 to 12 hours or until firm.
• Step 5. Top with whipped cream: Make whipped cream by beating remaining whipped cream and adding sugar. Spread over pie. Freeze an additional hour, and serve.
  

Storing Strawberry-Pretzel Icebox Pie

Store this pie in the freezer, well wrapped, for up to 1 month.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.