Every 4th of July, our family gatherings wouldn’t be complete without this beloved Strawberry Pretzel Jello Dessert ‘Salad.’ It’s tradition—pure and simple. And honestly? It’s one of my most requested recipes of all time.
Sweet and salty. Creamy and crunchy. It’s one of those dishes that walks into a BBQ disguised as a “salad” but steals the show like a full-blown dessert. Whether you serve it as a side or a finale, this dish is always the first to disappear.
This pretty layered treat is perfect for backyard BBQs, potluck parties, or any patriotic celebration. You can even decorate it like a flag using fresh berries and whipped cream for a festive twist.
Now… let’s make it!
Strawberry Pretzel Dessert Salad
What You’ll Need:
For the crust:
- 2 ½ cups pretzels, coarsely chopped
- ¼ cup granulated white sugar
- ½ cup butter, melted
For the filling:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 16 oz frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
For the topping:
- 6 oz strawberry Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 quart frozen sliced strawberries
- Fresh strawberries & blueberries (for decoration)
- Whipped cream (optional, but always encouraged 😉)
How to Make It:
- Make the crust:
Crush pretzels in a food processor (or place in a bag and smash with a rolling pin—great stress relief!).
Mix with melted butter and sugar, then press evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan.
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes. Let it cool completely. - Make the creamy layer:
In a large bowl, mix cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
Fold in the whipped topping gently.
Spread the mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal the edges (this keeps the Jello layer from seeping through!). - Make the strawberry Jello topping:
Stir the strawberry Jell-O into 2 cups of boiling water until fully dissolved.
Add frozen sliced strawberries and stir to cool. Let sit until it slightly thickens—this helps it set better on the creamy layer. - Assemble:
Pour the cooled Jello mixture over the cream cheese layer.
Chill in the fridge until fully set—about 2 to 4 hours. - Optional flag cake version:
Use blueberries in the top-left corner to make the “stars.”
Alternate whipped cream stripes and sliced strawberries across the rest of the pan.
A patriotic masterpiece! - Serve + enjoy!
Slice, serve cold, and prepare for a wave of recipe requests. This one’s a keeper.
Pro tip: Make this the night before your event so the layers have plenty of time to chill and set. Plus, the flavors just get better with time.
Let me know if you make it—I love seeing your creations!
Happy 4th of July, friends! 💙
– Holly B.
