Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

Some recipes just never go out of style, and this strawberry-pretzel salad is one dish that stays popular for good reason. Perfect for potlucks and practically required at picnics, this dessert recipe is simple to make and hard to get wrong.

There are layers of salty pretzels, whipped cream cheese, and bright strawberries suspended in gelatin; all topped off with lightly sweetened sour cream and toasted pecans. Most likely created along with the wave of Jell-O salads popular in the 1960s, it’s a simple, classic dish that just so happens to be an explosion of flavor and texture.

Learn how to make this classic strawberry-pretzel salad, and make everyone smile with joy when this nostalgic dish is on the table.

Is Strawberry-Pretzel Salad a Dessert or Side Dish?

There’s no wrong place to set this on your table, whether next to the potato salad or served up with cakes and pies. The savory, salty pretzels, luscious cream cheese filling, and tangy sour cream and strawberries mean it’s a welcome addition just about anywhere.

Ingredients for Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

The stars of the show in this dish are:

• crushed pretzels
• cream cheese
• thawed frozen whipped topping
• strawberry gelatin
• thawed frozen strawberries in light syrup
  

You’ll also need:

• sugar
• butter
• cooking spray
• vanilla
• boiling water
• sour cream
• toasted chopped pecans

How To Make Strawberry-Pretzel Dessert

The full recipe for this classic jello-pretzel salad is below, but here's a brief recap:

• Step 1. Make the pretzel crust. Combine the crushed pretzels, sugar, and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9x13-inch casserole dish. Bake for 15 minutes.
• Step 2. Make cream cheese layer. Beat together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Then fold in the whipped topping. Spread over the cooled pretzel crust.
• Step 3. Make gelatin layer. Combine boiling water, gelatin, and strawberries. Chill until partially set, then pour over the cream cheese layer. Chill 8 hours or until gelatin is set.
• Step 4. Make toppings. Combine sour cream and sugar. Spread over the strawberry layer, then top with pecans.

Can Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad Be Made Ahead?

This recipe can be prepared through Step 4 (layering on the strawberry gelatin), wrapped tightly, and refrigerated overnight. Before serving, finish with the sweetened sour cream and pecans. But don't go much beyond a day of refrigeration. The ingredients will begin to soften, so you'll have a soggy crust and layers that are a bit more watery.

How Do You Keep the Pretzel Crust From Getting Soggy?

When building the layers of this dish, make sure to spread the cream cheese layer all the way to the edges of the pan to seal in the pretzel crust and keep it from getting soggy. Baking the crust until firm and taking time to let it cool completely before topping will also help keep things crisp.

How To Store Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad

If you have leftover slices, wrap tightly with plastic wrap or transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 4 days. The longer it sits, the more the layers will begin to meld together.

Can I Use Fresh Strawberries for Strawberry-Pretzel Jello Salad?

Absolutely! The ability to use frozen strawberries means this dish can be enjoyed all year round. In the height of strawberry season, feel free to swap with fresh sliced strawberries.

Editorial contributions by Katie Rosenhouse.