‘Tis the season when lots of people want to know how to make pretzel salad, and often, it’s their first time. This classic strawberry pretzel salad recipe consists of a salty pretzel crust with a creamy sweet layer of cream cheese and a strawberry jello topping filled with fresh strawberries.
While the pretzel salad ingredients are quite basic in nature, I wanted to pass along some tips for preparing this special dessert I have learned that make help you.
This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a commission for a qualifying purchase. See affiliate disclosure for details.
but first…
What is pretzel salad?
This is not your average salad. In reality, it’s not even a salad. Strawberry Pretzel Salad is similar to Watergate Salad. Salad is a type of dessert. It tastes very similar to a no-bake cheesecake.
It’s the ideal dessert for satisfying your salty-sweet needs while also utilizing in-season strawberries. Some people like making their pretzel salad with fresh strawberries.
I prefer preparing pretzel salad with frozen strawberries since fresh berries are not always available when I want to make it, like during the holiday season. Also, frozen strawberries allow for a more consistent final outcome.
What is the pretzel salad origin?
“Joys of Jell-O,” a 1963 cookbook, is first cited in the Farmers Almanac. The little book came as a paperback or spiral-bound and includes gelatin recipes, ways to purchase molds, and Jell-O commercials. (Copies are still available on Amazon.)
No one individual is credited with being the person who created the recipe. It seems to be just one of several recipes developed by Jello brand gelatin to promote the brand.
Pretzel salad ingredients
As you will note, the pretzel salad ingredients are pretty straightforward. The magic in preparing this dessert is to ensure you closely follow the directions.
I will share the (3) tips for making the best pretzel salad recipe ever!
Tips for making the best pretzel salad recipe
Don’t have fresh strawberries? Frozen strawberries will do just fine.
Don’t overbake the pretzel mixture, which makes up the base for this recipe. The baking step only takes 8 minutes, at the most. Don’t get side-tracked and step away. The pretzel and butter will easily burn if you do not pay close attention.
IMPORTANT: Be sure to spread the cream cheese layer all the way to the edges so that the jello layer doesn’t seep down and make the pretzels soggy!
Once you’ve successfully accomplished how to make pretzel salad
Once you’ve managed to prepare pretzel salad Paula Deen will be smiling! It really is a great dessert and a wonderful conversation piece, since guests new to holiday pretzel salad are truly amazed by the taste.
If strawberries are not your thing, be sure to try this recipe for pineapple pretzel salad.
I hope you enjoyed our post, ‘Eastern Shore Apple Crisp’ Be sure to check out our other classic Delmarva recipes!
