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Easy Creamy Strawberry Pretzel Salad Recipe Perfect for Summer Parties

easy creamy strawberry pretzel salad - featured image
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A quick and easy layered dessert combining a salty pretzel crust, creamy cream cheese layer, and fresh strawberries, perfect for summer parties and potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream, chilled
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. In a large bowl, mix 2 cups crushed pretzels, 3 tablespoons sugar, and 6 tablespoons melted butter until evenly coated and crumbly.
  3. Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  4. Bake the crust for 10 minutes until toasted and golden. Let it cool completely.
  5. In a mixing bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 cup sugar until smooth and creamy.
  6. In a separate chilled bowl, whip 2 cups heavy cream with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until stiff peaks form.
  7. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
  8. Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
  9. In a bowl, toss 4 cups sliced strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Let sit for 10 minutes to macerate.
  10. Drain excess juice from strawberries and spread evenly over the cream cheese layer.
  11. Chill the entire dish for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight.
  12. Before serving, check that the crust is still crisp and the topping looks fresh.

Notes

Cool the pretzel crust completely before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting. Whip cream to stiff peaks and fold gently to keep the layer light and fluffy. Drain excess juice from strawberries to avoid soggy crust. Chill for at least 3 hours or overnight for best results. Variations include using different berries, adding nuts, or making dairy-free and gluten-free substitutions.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry pretzel salad, creamy dessert, summer dessert, easy dessert, layered salad, pretzel crust, cream cheese dessert, fresh strawberries

Find it online: https://sparklechew.com/easy-creamy-strawberry-pretzel-salad-recipe-perfect-for-summer-parties/