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Creamy Strawberry Pretzel Salad Dessert Recipe Easy and Perfect for Summer

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A nostalgic and crowd-pleasing dessert featuring a salty pretzel crust, creamy cream cheese filling, and a vibrant strawberry topping. Perfect for summer gatherings and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 cups crushed pretzels
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, chilled (or 8 oz whipped topping)
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup water

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper if desired.
  2. In a large bowl, combine crushed pretzels, granulated sugar, and melted unsalted butter. Stir until mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed.
  3. Press the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the baking dish using the back of a measuring cup or fingers.
  4. Bake the crust for about 10 minutes until toasty and golden. Remove and let cool completely.
  5. In a mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy.
  6. In a separate chilled bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form, or fold in whipped topping gently.
  7. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture carefully to keep it light and airy. Spread evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
  8. In a medium saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and glossy (about 5–7 minutes). Let cool slightly.
  9. Pour the strawberry topping evenly over the creamy layer and spread gently.
  10. Chill the dessert in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to set the layers.

Notes

Let the crust cool completely before adding the filling to prevent sogginess. Use chilled heavy cream for better whipping results. Stir strawberry topping constantly to avoid lumps. Cover dessert during chilling to prevent fridge odors. For clean slices, dip knife in hot water before cutting.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry pretzel salad, creamy dessert, summer dessert, potluck dessert, easy dessert, pretzel crust, strawberry topping

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/creamy-strawberry-pretzel-salad-dessert-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/