Tasty Treat Thursday Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad Recipe

Strawberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad Recipe

By Summer,

I’ve been eating this “salad” (which is less like a side dish and more like a dessert) since I was about 6 years old. My mom and I first had this at a Mother’s Day potluck tea at our church. My mom got the recipe from the maker, and she has been constructing this dish almost every holiday that I can remember, especially in college and beyond if it was a holiday I come home. The dish is tasty and one of my favorite recipes.

However, I “ignore” the ingredients as I’m not a fan of Cool Whip’s Practically Hydrogenated Oils and Jell-O’s added dyes. I have tried making this recipe with whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, but it has not successfully worked for me. If you’re up for a challenge attempt this recipe using real whipped cream and then let me know how you did it! I might try adding gelatin to stiffen up the three cream ingredients while using real whipped cream.

INGREDIENTS:

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

LAYER TWO
8 ounces Cool Whip, room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

LAYER THREE
2 cups boiling hot water
1 – 6 ounce package of Strawberry Jell-O (not sugar free)
2 – 10 ounces packages of frozen strawberries OR 1 pound sliced fresh strawberries

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350^oF. Grease an 9×12 clear glass dish.

2. LAYER ONE – Mix well the pretzels, butter, and sugar. Press layer into pan. Bake layer in preheated oven for 9-minutes. Allow to cool completely.

3. LAYER TWO – Whip together Cool Whip, cream cheese, and powdered sugar. Spread on top of cooked pretzel mixture.

4. LAYER THREE – Mix boiled water, Jell-O and strawberries. When it starts to congeal pour on top of cream cheese layer. Pour on and spread GENTLY.

5. DO NOT MIX!

This is a recipe you can make a day in advance so if you’re looking for a dish to take some where or need an extra holiday dish, make this in advance and bring it out then it’s go-time. The cooking of the pretzel layer really helps it keep crisp. On about day 2-3 the pretzel layer will begin to get soften and get soggy on about day 5, so eat up and share!

About Summer:

Summer is the President of our Local MOMS Club chapter, she is the mother of two adorable active boys, and is always thinking of ways to help others. She is a friend, a wife, and always busy as all mommies are. She is very active on Facebook, addicted to Geocaching and very interested in organic and green living.