Most folks call this strawberry pretzel salad but in my family it is simply called jello salad. This recipe is something my late great-aunt Ina used to make for big family dinners. To me, this feels like the quintessential Thanksgiving or Christmas side dish, as it just feels very retro and Midwest to me.
There are many variations of Strawberry Pretzel salad, so here is what you can expect from this recipe. This is a dessert OR sweet side dish in three layers: pretzel crust, cream cheese center, and a strawberry-cranberry Jello top.
I like to add a sugared cranberries garnish along the edge just for a festive look, but this is totally optional.
As I mentioned, this is my great-aunt Ina’s recipe. I had to get it from my grandmother who delivered it to me as a handwritten photocopy, which I loved. I pretty much stick to her Jello salad recipe with one variation which I’ll share below.
Related: The Best Fruit Salad, Ambrosia Salad, Watergate Salad, Jello Poke Cake, and 15+ Easy No-Bake Desserts.
Strawberry Pretzel Salad Ingredients:- Strawberry Jello mix
- Cranberry juice
- Frozen strawberries
- Cream cheese
- Cool Whip
- Granulated white sugar
- Butter
- Pretzels
This is a layered dessert that requires some setting time. So, it’s best to make this the day before you plan to serve it. Personally, I love a make ahead recipe, especially when I’m prepping for a big meal.
Layer 1 = Crushed pretzels and melted butter that get baked into a crust.
Layer 2 = Softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar get blended together and then layered over the cooled crust.
Layer 3 = Strawberry Jello mix made with cranberry juice and frozen strawberries are added to the top layer. Then, allow the dessert to fully set (covered in the refrigerator) before serving.
Tips for Making Jello Salad:- For the strawberry Jello, I follow the directions on the box, substituting the cold water for cold cranberry juice instead. This adds more flavor and a tartness to this sweet side dish.
- I like to pulse the frozen strawberries in a food processor a couple times before adding to the Jello mix. My aim is not to completely puree them, but leave some variance in texture, as you can see in the photos here.
- This recipe is best made in a 9×13 pan. However, as you can see, I made it in a slightly smaller dish as pictured here. This is totally fine—it just means your layers will be a little thicker and it may take a little longer for the Jello to fully set.
Is strawberry pretzel salad a side dish or dessert? Honestly, I’ve had it served both ways before, so it’s entirely up to you. Here are some other holiday desserts you might like:
- Eclair No-Bake Cake – another delicious layered dessert
- 15 Pumpkin Desserts
- Caramel Apple Cheesecake
- Easy 3 Ingredient Fudge
How long does Jello salad last in the refrigerator?
This Jello salad recipe will last at least 3-5 days in the refrigerator. After around 5 days, the Jello layer will begin to run into the cream cheese layer, making it pink, and the crust will be become soggy.
Can I make Jello salad ahead?
Yes. In fact it’s best to make this Jello salad recipe the day before you plan to serve it.
Is Jello salad a dessert or side dish?
It depends! I’ve had this Jello salad recipe served as both a side dish and a dessert at different meals. I actually think the cranberry strawberry Jello tastes great alongside turkey, but this recipe most closely resembles a dessert by the ingredients.
Print Jello Salad a sweet dessert salad made in three layers Course Dessert, Side DishCuisine AmericanKeyword jello, jello salad, strawberry pretzel salad Prep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 25 minutes minutesSet Time 4 hours hoursTotal Time 4 hours hours 35 minutes minutes Servings 12 Calories 377kcal Author Emma ChapmanEquipment
- 1 9×13 baking dish
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 cups pretzels crushed
- ¾ cup butter melted
Cream Cheese Layer
- 16 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces Cool Whip
- ½ cup granulated white sugar
Jello Layer
- Large box strawberry Jello Mix off brands are fine, too
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- 1 pound frozen strawberries chopped
Instructions
- To make the crust, crush the pretzels. This is easy to do in a food processor.
- Add the pretzels and melted butter to a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir to combine.
- Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
- Bake at 375°F for 25 minutes. Allow to fully cool.
- To make the cream cheese layer, whip together the softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar.
- Spoon this mixture over the cooled crust and seal the sides completely.
- To make the Jello layer, chop up the frozen strawberries. I do this by pulsing a few times in the food processor.
- Follow the box instructions to make the Jello. This will include boiling two cups of water and also adding two cups of cold water, which you should substitute for cold cranberry juice instead. Then, add the frozen strawberries.
- Let the Jello partially set before adding to the top of the cream cheese layer.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours so the Jello fully sets. I usually make this the night before I plan to serve it.
- Optional: Toss fresh cranberries in a little water and then toss in 1/4 cup granulated white sugar to make quick sugared cranberries for a garnished edge.