Strawberry Pretzel Crunch Salad Recipe
Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful dessert salad featuring a crunchy pretzel and pecan base, creamy sweetened cream cheese folded with Cool Whip, and fresh sliced strawberries. The combination of sweet, salty, creamy, and fruity flavors makes this a perfect refreshing treat for parties or family gatherings.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter, melted
Filling
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 16 oz Cool Whip
- 4 cups sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix crust ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Pour in melted butter and stir until the mixture is well combined and evenly coated.
- Bake the pretzel crust: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8–10 minutes or until the mixture is bubbling and golden. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely, then break into small crunchy pieces.
- Prepare the creamy filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Combine and chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate the cream cheese mixture until you’re ready to serve to maintain a firm, chilled texture.
- Assemble the salad: Just before serving, fold the sliced strawberries and half of the pretzel crunch into the cream cheese mixture to incorporate layers of flavor and texture.
- Garnish and serve: Transfer the salad to a serving dish, sprinkle the remaining pretzel crunch on top for a decorative and crunchy finish, and serve immediately for the best texture and taste.
Notes
- Make sure to cool the pretzel and pecan mixture completely before breaking it apart to avoid melting the cream cheese.
- For best results, use fresh, ripe strawberries for sweetness and juiciness.
- You can prepare the crust and cream cheese mixture a day ahead and store them separately in the refrigerator.
- This salad is best served immediately after assembling with the strawberries and crunch to maintain the texture contrast.
- Substitute Cool Whip with whipped cream for a more natural option, but it may change the texture slightly.
Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, dessert salad, pretzel pecan crust, creamy strawberry salad, cream cheese dessert, summer dessert
Find it online: https://thedishspot.com/strawberry-pretzel-crunch-salad-recipe/
