Memorial Day Strawberry Pretzel Salad (Print version)

Layers of salty pretzel crust, creamy whipped cream cheese, and strawberry gelatin with fresh berries — chilled and shareable.

# What You'll Need:

→ Pretzel Crust

01 - 2 cups salted pretzels, crushed
02 - ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
03 - ¼ cup granulated sugar

→ Cream Cheese Layer

04 - 8 oz (225 g) cream cheese, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 8 oz (225 g) whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed

→ Strawberry Layer

07 - 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
08 - 1 (6 oz / 170 g) package strawberry-flavored gelatin (Jell-O)
09 - 2 cups boiling water

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
02 - In a mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and ¼ cup sugar. Mix well. Press mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch (23x33 cm) baking dish.
03 - Bake crust for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool completely.
04 - Beat softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar together until smooth. Fold in whipped topping. Spread mixture evenly over cooled crust, ensuring you reach all edges to seal the crust.
05 - Chill the baking dish in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to set the layer.
06 - In a large bowl, dissolve strawberry gelatin in 2 cups boiling water. Allow to cool until slightly thickened but not set, about 20–30 minutes.
07 - Arrange sliced strawberries over the cream cheese layer. Gently pour cooled gelatin over the strawberries.
08 - Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until fully set.
09 - Slice and serve chilled.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • This is the secret to that irresistible salty-sweet combo your friends always ask for seconds of.
  • It’s unexpectedly simple, perfectly portable, and always a conversation starter at any summer party.
02 -
  • If the cream cheese layer doesn’t completely cover the crust, your strawberry gelatin may leak and turn the base soggy (sadly learned after my first attempt).
  • Waiting until the gelatin is slightly thickened before pouring it over the strawberries keeps the layers beautiful and lifts each slice perfectly.
03 -
  • Use freshly sliced strawberries and pat them dry—wet berries cause the gelatin to slip.
  • Chill your mixing bowl for the whipped layer to make folding easier and fluffier.
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