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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

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.
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time6 minutes
Chilling Time3 hours
Total Time3 hours 26 minutes
Servings: 10

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

  • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a bowl, mix crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter until evenly coated.
  • Spoon about 2 heaping tablespoons of crust into the bottom of each jar or cup. Press gently, without packing too tightly.
  • Place jars on a baking sheet and bake for 6 minutes.
  • Remove and allow crusts to cool completely.

Make the Cream Cheese Layer

  • In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until smooth.
  • Gently fold in whipped topping until fully combined.
  • Spoon or pipe the mixture evenly over cooled pretzel crusts.
  • Refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow the layer to set.

Make the Strawberry Layer

  • In a bowl, stir gelatin with boiling water until dissolved.
  • Stir in frozen strawberries.
  • Refrigerate for about 5 minutes until slightly thickened.
  • Spoon strawberry mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
  • Refrigerate for at least 1 hour, or until fully set.
  • Serve chilled.

Notes

  • 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.