Pioneer Woman Strawberry Pretzel Salad
A delightful dessert that combines salty pretzel crust, creamy cheesecake layer, and fresh strawberry topping, perfect for potlucks and family gatherings.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
For the Strawberry Layer
- 1 lb fresh strawberries, sliced Use ripe, fresh berries for best flavor.
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup water
- 6 oz strawberry gelatin (jello) Ensure it is fully dissolved before adding the strawberries.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) for the pretzel crust.
- In a bowl, mix the crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool completely.
Cheesecake Layer Preparation
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
- Once the crust is cool, spread this mixture over the pretzel crust evenly.
Strawberry Layer Preparation
- In a saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Remove from heat and mix in the sugar and strawberry gelatin until dissolved.
- Allow this mixture to cool slightly, then stir in the fresh strawberries.
- Once the strawberry mixture is cool, pour it over the cream cheese layer, ensuring it spreads evenly across the top.
Chilling
- Cover the dish and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight if possible, to let the layers set beautifully.
Notes
For best results, use fresh strawberries, cool the crust completely before layering, and don't skip refrigeration to allow flavors to meld.