Cool and creamy strawberry pretzel salad is the classic summer torte you've had at many church potlucks and backyard parties. Made with a salty pretzel crust and topped with a sweet layer of cream cheese and refreshing strawberry flavored Jell-O and fresh strawberries, this dessert is always a hit at a picnic.
PREP TIME 15 minutesminutes
Additional Time 4 hourshours30 minutesminutes
COOK TIME 15 minutesminutes
TOTAL TIME 5 hourshours
YIELD 12servings
Ingredients
4cupspretzel twistsmeasure them first then crush and measure 2 1/2 cups of crumbs
8tablespoons(1 stick) butter
1/4cupsugar
2(8 oz) packages of cream cheese
1(16 oz/1 pound) box or 3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1quart4 cups fresh strawberries, washed and sliced
1(6 oz.) box strawberry Jell-O
2cupsboiling water
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spray 9 x 13-inch pan with cooking spray and set it aside.
Add the pretzels to a large ziptop baggie and crush them with a rolling pin. Add them to a medium sized mixing bowl and combine with the melted butter and sugar until the crumbs are evenly dampened. Press the pretzel crumbs into the bottom of the prepared dish and press them firmly into all four corners of the pan to form the crust.
Bake the pretzel crust for 15 - 20 minutes or until golden brown. Let the crust cool completely before assembling the torte.
Add the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar to a mixing bowl and beat them together with a hand mixer on medium speed until evenly combined and smooth. Use a spatula to spread the mixture over the cooled crust.
Cover and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes to let the cream cheese layer set.
Combine the packet of Jell-O mix with the boiling water in a mixing bowl. Stir until the powder has dissolved into the water. Let the Jell-O cool for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, top the cream cheese layer with a single layer of sliced strawberries.
Pour the cooled Jell-O over the top and chill for 4 hours before serving.
Recipe Notes
Make Ahead Tips:This dish can be made up to 24 hours in advance and kept covered in plastic wrap in the fridge. It will not freeze well.