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Pretzel salad is the ultimate combination of sweet and salty – a classic layered treat that’s always a hit at every get together.

Pretzel Salad served on a white plate.
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Decades Old Favorite

This pretzel salad is a classic Merkley and Luna dessert that we absolutely love! Both our family and the hubby’s family has made this recipe for years.

Even though salad IS in the title, we think it’s safe to say it’s truly a dessert! Our family has made this for most Luna family gathering for decades. We often serve it as a dessert during holidays like Christmas and Easter.

This dessert bar recipe can be altered based on your flavor preference. Just change the jello layer and fresh fruit! The most common and our favorite flavor is strawberry, but anyway you make it, it’s sure to be a hit!

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • Great all year. Pretzel salad is especially popular at summertime potlucks and holiday parties, but quite frankly, it’s great all year round.
  • Sweet and salty. It has a salty pretzel crust, a tangy cream cheese center, and a fruity Jell-O layer – a perfect combination!
  • Quick prep. It’s prepped in only 20 minutes, then simply let it chill.
Strawberries washed in a colander.

Ingredients

  • 2 cup pretzels crushed – Use salted hard pretzels, either sticks or twisted. The Rold Gold brand gives a more buttery flavor, but any brand works well. About 2ยฝ cups of whole pretzels will make 2 cups of crushed pretzels.
    • To crush pretzels, place them in a sealed plastic bag. Use a rolling pin to gently crush the pretzels. Alternatively, use a food processor to pulse the pretzels until they reach the desired crumb consistency.ย 
  • ยฝ cup granulated sugar 
  • โ…” cup unsalted butter melted
  • 12 ounces cream cheese 
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 cup Cool Whipped topping – or Homemade Whipped Cream
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 6 ounces strawberry JELL-O mix Prepare the Jello according to recipe instructions (not package instructions).
  • 1ยฝ cups cold water
  • 4 cups sliced fresh strawberries Use frozen berries in a pinch. If they are whole, allow them to thaw enough to slice and add to the Jello mixture.

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

  1. PREP. Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  2. CRUST. In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups chopped pretzels, ยผ cup sugar, and โ…” cup melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool.
  3. CREAM CHEESE MIXTURE. Beat 12 ounces of cream cheese, ยผ cup sugar, and 2 tablespoons milk with a blender. Fold in 1 cup Cool Whip and spread over the cooled pretzel crust. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  4. JELLO. Pour 2 cups boiling water in a large bowl. Add 6 ounces of strawberry gelatin mix and stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Stir in 1ยฝ cups cold water. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until thickened.
    • Stir 4 cups sliced strawberries in with your jello and spoon over your cream cheese layer.
  5. CHILL. Refrigerate for another 3 hours. Keep refrigerated until serving. ENJOY!
Pretzel salad recipe on white plate with strawberries on the side.

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5 from 21 votes

Pretzel Salad

By: Lil’ Luna
Pretzel salad is the ultimate combination of sweet and salty, a classic layered treat that's always a crowd pleaser!!
Servings: 20 slices
Prep: 10 minutes
Cook: 10 minutes
Refrigerate: 4 hours
Total: 4 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients 

  • 2 cup pretzels, crushed
  • ยฝ cup sugar, divided
  • โ…” cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 12 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 cup cool whip
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 6 ounces Strawberry JELL-O mix
  • 1ยฝ cups cold water
  • 4 cups strawberries, sliced

Instructions 

  • Preheat oven to 350ยฐF.
  • Mix chopped pretzels, sugar, and butter. Press into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool.
  • Beat cream cheese, sugar, and milk with a blender. Fold in Cool Whip and spread over the crust. Refrigerate until ready to use.
  • Place boiling water in a large bowl. Add gelatin mix and stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Stir in cold water. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours or until thickened.
  • Stir sliced strawberries in with your jello and spoon over your cream cheese layer.
  • Refrigerate for another 3 hours. Keep refrigerated until serving. ENJOY!

Video

Notes

Other flavors.ย As an alternative, try peach, raspberry, or orange-flavored gelatin with matching fruit.
Make ahead of time. Due to the length of time it needs to be set in the fridge, itโ€™s best made the day before serving.ย 
Store. Keep strawberry jello salad covered for about a week in the fridge, however, the pretzels might soften over time.

Nutrition

Calories: 213kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 18mg, Sodium: 272mg, Potassium: 87mg, Sugar: 15g, Vitamin A: 505IU, Vitamin C: 16.9mg, Calcium: 31mg, Iron: 0.6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Recipe FAQ

Can I use other flavors of Jell-O?

Make different variations using different flavors of jello and fruits. Try peach, raspberry, or orange-flavored gelatin with matching fruit.

How do I keep the pretzel crust from getting soggy?

Spread the whipped cream mix in an even layer to the edges. You donโ€™t want to leave any room for the strawberry jello layer to seep down and make a soggy crust.ย 

Why didn’t my strawberry pretzel salad recipe set?

Gelatin can be sensitive to changes in ingredients or ratios, so be sure to follow the written recipe and do not make the jello according to the box. Dissolve the jello completely in the hot water and give it ample time to chill in the fridge.

Make ahead of time?

Due to the length of time it needs to be set in the fridge, it is best if made the day before.ย ย 

How to store leftover jello pretzel salad?

Keep leftovers covered for about a week in the fridge, however, the pretzels might soften over time.

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and Iโ€™m the mom of SIX stinkinโ€™ cute kids and the wife to my smokinโ€™ hot hubby, Lo. My momโ€™s maiden name is Luna, and Iโ€™m one of the many crafty โ€œLilโ€™ Lunasโ€ in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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5 from 21 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




36 Comments

  1. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    Some people consider jello As a side dish. In our family jello was a dessert. You cant go wrong with this recipe no matter how you choose to eat it. the combination of sweet and salty make it a great dessert!

  2. Joy says:

    5 stars
    I have made this salad quite a few times now & every time I do, it’s gone in minutes. My in-laws request this every year! my favorite is the crust!

  3. Denise says:

    5 stars
    I have fond memories of this recipe from over 40 years ago when my aunt would bring it to family reunions. Thanks for sharing!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I love recipes that bring up fond memories! Thanks so much!

  4. Kathy Mader says:

    Hi, I want to make this. Can I substitute real whipped cream for Coolwhip? Thank you. It looks gorgeous!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      It should be fine. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  5. Mary says:

    Ooo-la-la
    Looks so delicious!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thank you, Mary! It really is so good and very easy to make. ๐Ÿ™‚

  6. Crystal says:

    I love jello pretzel salad! It is so yummy!! It is both sweet and salty.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      You’re right, Crystal! And we all know how great sweet and salty can be. ๐Ÿ™‚

  7. Liz says:

    Sounds refreshing. Thank you.

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      You’re welcome, Liz. Let me know if you ever give it a try. ๐Ÿ™‚

  8. Brenda @ SweetSimpleStuff says:

    Many years ago my friend made this salad and asked us to guess what the crust was made from … I remember being shocked! BTW, how is this called salad anyway? It’s dessert in my book ๐Ÿ™‚

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      LOL – I know… definitely more a dessert than salad, but that’s what we always called it. I think Jello Pretzel CAKE may be better. ๐Ÿ˜‰

  9. Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says:

    I’ve never had this before! Always see it but never tasted it!! Looks gorgeous ๐Ÿ™‚

  10. Sam says:

    My boyfriend’s mom makes this and it’s one of my favorite desserts! We always ask her to bring it when we have a BBQ!