Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad is the perfect dessert for potlucks or ANY party! Serve this creamy AND crunch, sweet AND salty, fruity delight at your summer cookout or holiday gathering. It’s ideal for ANY occasion!

Holidays are funny days in a way. Think about it…different families have their own traditions. And usually, people are VERY committed to their traditions.

When I was growing up, we had the exact same things EVERY year for Thanksgiving AND Christmas.

After we got married, we face something that some people probably don’t think about until they face it: melding our family traditions and creating something that worked for us.

One of the areas where we needed to meld traditions was in the food that we served for the holidays. On our first Christmas, I was introduced to old-fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad.

Side note: I LOVE strawberry…anything! This recipe is a less cake-like version of Cheesecake Strawberry Poke Cake.

I never had this dish until my mother-in-law made this for our first holiday after my husband and I got married. I was immediately hooked!

Strawberries, jello, cream cheese, and whipped cream layered on top of a sugary buttery pretzel crust? Yep, I’m IN! There were other traditions I begrudgingly accepted, but this dish was one tradition I was thrilled to adopt!

I asked for the recipe and began making this dish myself whenever we didn’t spend the holiday with her. And now that she’s passed, I make it every Thanksgiving and Christmas without fail. It’s a fun way to honor her, and our kids LOVE this dish.

In fact, if I didn’t make this strawberry jello Pretzel Salad one holiday, my entire family just might MUTINY!

Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad has it all: salty, crunchy texture and sweet creaminess all wrapped up in a sweet fruity layer.

Do you love strawberry recipes too? If so, check out my Strawberry Bread Recipe, Strawberry French Toast Bake, and Strawberry Stuffed French Toast.

Ingredients Needed For Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad is a layered dessert. Sugary buttered pretzels make the bottom crust which is topped with a blend of cream cheese and whipped cream. The top layer is delicious strawberry jello filled with sliced strawberries.

Bottom Crust:

• 2 cups pretzels, crushed
• ¾ cup butter, melted
• 3 tablespoons sugar

Middle Filling:

• 2 cups whipped topping
• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 cup sugar

Topping:

• 2 packages strawberry jello
• 2 cups boiling water
• 32 oz frozen sliced strawberries w/ sugar

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Here’s your step-by-step guide on how to make old-fashioned strawberry pretzel salad.

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a bowl combine pretzels, butter, and sugar then press into a 13×9 pan.
3. Bake for about 10 minutes then cool on a wire rack.
4. Beat whipped topping, cream cheese, and sugar together until smooth.
5. Spread over cooled pretzel base.
6. Cool in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
7. Dissolve the gelatin in boiling water then add strawberries.
8. Chill until partially set, about 20-30 minutes.
9. Spoon over the filling.
10. Chill 4-6 hour until fully set.

Cut into bars or scoop out, garnish with additional whipped topping and pretzel pieces, and enjoy! 

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Although this recipe is easy to make, it’s slightly time-consuming. I recommend making this the day before you want to serve it so you can spend your time before the big meal just prepping that food.
• Allow each layer to chill before you add the next layer on top.
• Prevent the bottom crust from getting soggy by fully covering the crust with the cream cheese layer so that the jello layer doesn’t make it soggy.
• Use store-bought OR homemade whipped cream. I actually prefer using my homemade whipped cream because I can make it as stiff as I want the texture to be.
• Use fresh strawberries OR frozen ones. If I can’t find good-looking fresh strawberries, I just use frozen berries. And since I usually only make this recipe for the winter holiday, frozen strawberries it is!
• Do NOT follow the Jello package directions. Follow the directions in this recipe. toget the best recipes.
• Use room temperature cream cheese for easier mixing.

FAQs

Here are common questions I see from readers about this recipe. If you don’t see your question below, please leave it in the comments so I can answer it for you!

How long does Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad last?

From my experience, after 3 days, any leftovers are soggy (but still tasty!).

How do I store this recipe?

You need to keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. Then put any leftovers back in the fridge.

Can you freeze Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad?

Unfortunately, no. This recipe won’t freeze well because it will get soggy and runny once it thaws.

What pretzels are best for Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad>

I use the thin pretzels (usually the knot shapes) because they break up well for the crust and add a nice crunchy texture. If you use pretzel pieces that are too large, your pretzel crust will fall apart when you cut it. 

See what an easy recipe Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad is to make? I LOVE the festive touch it adds to holiday dishes, and the light tasty dessert it makes for summer gatherings. It’s a terrific potluck dessert and perfect for ANY part or occasion! 

More Delicious Sweet Bites You’ll Love

If you love this Old-Fashioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad, be sure to check out these other yummy treats!

• Apple Cream Cheese Coffee Cake
• Addictive Dutch Apple Crisp Bars Recipe
• Fudgy Zucchini Brownies With Frosting
• Homemade Banana Pudding Poke Cake
• Maw Maw’s Old-Fashioned Peach Cobbler
• Creamy Instant Pot Fresh Berry Cheesecake
• Berrylicious Red, White, and Blue Trifle

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