Strawberry Pretzel Dessert

So I am that person who always brings dessert for potlucks.  I am always to scared to bring anything else.  I totally need to build up my confidence on other food. 

A popular dessert I have started making is strawberry pretzel dessert.  If you have never had it you are for sure missing out.  It's a cold dessert that is a layer of strawberry jell-o, cream cheese filling, and pretzel crust.  

I like to use butter pretzels.  There is something about the buttery salty taste that makes the crust so yummy. 

Lots of pretzels because crust is always delicious. 

This is a super easy crust. 

The best part is that baking the crust makes your whole house smell delicious. 

This dessert contains such simple ingredients. 

The cream cheese filling is so yummy.  This can totally be used as a dip for fruit too.  BUT try not to sample too much of it because you want all the cream cheese filling to make sure that the layers keep separated. 

Why is strawberry Jell-O so good?

Jell-O always smells so good!

Make sure you spread the cream cheese layer all the way to the side of the dish.  This is VERY important as it keeps the Jell-O layer from seeping through to the other layers. 

Adding strawberries isn't a must but it sure makes this dish taste good.  However, I have totally added strawberries AND blueberries to make this dish festive. 

This dessert is super easy to make.  It takes a little time but skill level is for sure easy. 

Strawberry Pretzel Dessert
Ingredients:

• 6oz package strawberry Jell-O
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 1/2 cups salted pretzels
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 8oz package cream cheese, soften
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 8oz tub cool whip, thawed
• 1lb fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. 
2. Combine strawberry Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water and stir until completely dissolved.  Set aside to cool to room temperature. 
3. Crush 2 1/2 cups pretzels in a sturdy Ziploc bag using a rolling pin.  Melt butter and add 1/4 cup sugar and mix.  Mix in crushed pretzels.  Press into a 9x13 glass casserole dish.  Bake for 10 minutes.  Cool to room temperature. 
4. Beat 8oz cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar until fluffy.  Fold in 8oz Cool Whip until no streaks of cream cheese remain.  Spread mixture over cooled pretzels.  Make sure to go all the way to the edge of the dish to create a seal.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set. 
5. Stir in strawberries into Jell-O.  Pour and spread strawberry Jell-O mixture evenly over cooled cream cheese layer.  Refrigerate to set (2-4 hours). 

This is totally a favorite in my family and friends.  If you have the time make this dessert.  You will not regret it!


Keep cooking friends!
XOXO