Berry Pretzel Salad

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Sweet meets salty in the best way! This Berry Pretzel Salad has crunchy pretzels, tangy cream, and berry Jell-O, making it a refreshing, make-ahead treat for any occasion.

I have a soft spot for old-school recipes that have stood the test of time, and this one is a total classic. It’s super customizable, I can use whatever berries I have on hand and switch up the Jell-O flavor if I want bold. It’s got that whole sweet-and-salty vibe I can’t resist.

Why I love this recipe

I love how the sweet berries, tangy cream cheese filling, and buttery pretzel crunch all come together in the happiest little layers. It’s like a dessert party wrapped up in one dish.

And if you love crowd-pleasing treats like this, you should definitely try my Strawberry Fluff Salad.

Ingredients

Here’s everything you’ll need for this sweet and salty favorite. The ingredients are simple and easy to find, just the basics for the crunchy pretzel crust, creamy middle, and fruity Jell-O topping.

• pretzel twists (for the crust)
• unsalted butter
• sugar
• cream cheese
• heavy cream
• vanilla extract
• mixed berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, or whatever you like)
• berry-flavored Jell-O (like strawberry or raspberry)
• water

And for decorating (optional but fun): extra berries, pretzels, and whipped topping.

Step by step

Prepare the crust

1. Start by preheating your oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 13×9-inch baking dish and set it aside.
2. Crush the pretzels in a food processor until you have 2 ½ cups of crumbs. Transfer them to a medium-sized bowl.
3. Stir in the melted butter and sugar until the mixture is well combined.
4. Firmly press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of your prepared baking dish to form an even crust.
5. Bake the crust for 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Once done, let it cool completely before adding the next layer.

For the cream cheese layer

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer, blend the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla on low speed until fully combined and until smooth.
2. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
3. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until everything is fully incorporated.
4. Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled crust, all the way to the edges, and chill for at least 30 minutes.

Make the Jell-O

1. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Remove from heat, then stir in the berry-flavored Jello mix until fully dissolved. Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
2. Take the dish out of the fridge. Arrange the berries (sliced if needed) evenly over the cream cheese layer.
3. Carefully pour the cooled Jello over the berries, making sure everything is evenly covered.
4. Refrigerate the dish for 3 to 4 hours, or until the Jello has completely set.
5. Serve chilled, optionally topped with extra whipped cream, berries, or pretzels for garnish.

Variation

If you are bored with the usual, go fruity with pineapple and mango Jello for something tropical. Or make it dessert-table-worthy with a white chocolate drizzle. Mini cups or jars also make fun, personal portions that are just as cute as they are tasty.

Storage

This dessert is best served fresh, but don’t toss those leftovers! They’ll stay good in the fridge for up to 3 days. Just cover the dish to keep everything from drying out. The pretzels might lose their crunch after a while, but the flavor holds up.

If you try this recipe please comment and rate it below, I love hearing from you!