This strawberry pretzel salad is a beloved classic made even better when served in individual cups. A crunchy salted pretzel crust, smooth cream cheese filling, and fruity strawberry gelatin topping come together for the perfect balance of sweet, salty, creamy, and refreshing in every bite.

Why You Will Love This Recipe

You’ll love this recipe because it’s nostalgic, crowd-pleasing, and incredibly easy to make ahead. The contrast of textures makes it addictive, the flavors are perfectly balanced, and serving it in individual jars or cups makes it ideal for parties, holidays, and casual gatherings. It’s a no-bake-style dessert (with a quick baked crust) that always disappears fast.

Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Strawberry pretzel salad is one of those desserts that instantly brings back memories of family gatherings, church potlucks, and holiday tables. It’s a recipe that has stood the test of time for good reason. The combination of sweet strawberries, creamy filling, and salty pretzels just works.

This version keeps all the classic flavors but presents them in individual servings, making it easier to serve and even more appealing. Each cup delivers the perfect ratio of crunchy crust, creamy center, and fruity topping without messy slicing.

The pretzel crust is what makes this dessert truly special. Salted pretzels mixed with butter and sugar create a crunchy, slightly savory base that balances the sweetness of the layers above it. Baking the crust briefly helps it hold together while keeping its crunch.

The cream cheese layer is smooth, lightly sweetened, and fluffy thanks to folded whipped topping. It acts as a barrier between the crust and the gelatin, preventing the pretzels from becoming soggy while adding rich, cheesecake-like flavor.

Vanilla enhances the cream cheese without overpowering it, giving the filling a comforting, familiar taste that pairs beautifully with strawberries.

The strawberry gelatin topping adds brightness and freshness. Using frozen strawberries helps the gelatin set faster and distributes fruit evenly throughout each cup.

Chilling the layers properly is key to success. Allowing each layer to set before adding the next keeps the presentation clean and ensures distinct layers when served.

This dessert is especially popular during spring and summer, but it’s just as welcome on holiday dessert tables. It’s light enough to enjoy after a heavy meal and sweet enough to feel indulgent.

Because it’s made ahead and served chilled, strawberry pretzel salad is ideal for entertaining. You can prepare it the day before and focus on your guests instead of last-minute desserts.

If you’re looking for a reliable, classic dessert that appeals to all ages and tastes, this strawberry pretzel salad recipe is one you’ll want to keep in your rotation.

Servings & Time

Servings: 8–10 individual cups
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Bake Time: 6 minutes
Chill Time: 2–3 hours
Total Time: About 3 hours

Ingredients

Pretzel Crust

• 1 1/2 cups crushed salted pretzels

• 4 tablespoons granulated sugar

• 10 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

Cream Cheese Layer

• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 1 (8-ounce) container whipped topping, thawed

Strawberry Layer

• 1 (6-ounce) package strawberry-flavored gelatin

• 2 cups boiling water

• 1 (16-ounce) package frozen sliced strawberries

Instructions

Make the Pretzel Crust

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. In a bowl, mix crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter until evenly coated.

3. Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of crust into the bottom of each jar or cup. Press gently, without packing too tightly.

4. Place jars on a baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes.

5. Remove and allow crusts to cool completely.

Make the Cream Cheese Layer

6. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.

7. Gently fold in whipped topping until fully combined.

8. Spoon or pipe the mixture evenly over cooled pretzel crusts.

9. Refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the layer to set.

Make the Strawberry Layer

10. In a bowl, stir gelatin with boiling water until dissolved.

11. Stir in frozen strawberries.

12. Refrigerate for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.

13. Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.

14. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until fully set.

Serve chilled.

Tips

• Do Not Overpack the Crust: This keeps it easier to eat and less dense.

• Cool the Crust Completely: Prevents melting the cream layer.

• Chill Between Layers: Helps maintain clean, defined layers.

• Make Ahead: Assemble up to 24 hours in advance.

• Storage: Keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.