A Tastier Strawberry Pretzel Salad (WITHOUT Jello)

This from-scratch strawberry pretzel salad is made without gelatin or cool whip. It tastes even better than the classic version you're used to!

Ingredients
Crust
2 ¼ cups finely crushed pretzels (230g) (this is about 5 ½ cups whole pretzels) (see note)
¾ cup salted butter, melted (170g)
2 Tablespoons granulated sugar (25g)
2 Tablespoons brown sugar, firmly packed (25g)
Topping
⅓ cup granulated sugar (67g)
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
2 lbs strawberries (908g), hulled and sliced
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
½ Tablespoon butter (salted or unsalted)
Filling
1 ½ cups heavy cream (360ml)
½ cup powdered sugar (60g)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
8 oz cream cheese, softened (226g)
½ cup granulated sugar (100g)

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Instructions
00:00 Introduction
Crust
00:40 Preheat oven to 375F (190C).
01:30 In a medium-sized bowl combine crushed pretzels, butter, and sugars and mix together until well combined and pretzels are thoroughly moistened.
01:57 Press pretzel mix firmly and evenly into the bottom of 13”x9” pan.
02:35 Transfer to center rack of 375F (190C) oven and bake for 12 minutes. Remove and allow crust to cool completely before adding the filling, but in the meantime you can prepare the strawberry topping.
Strawberry Topping
02:50 In a small saucepan, whisk together sugar and cornstarch. Add half of the strawberries and the lemon juice, stir to combine.
04:00 Cook mixture on stovetop over medium/low heat until berries release their juices. Increase heat to medium and cook/boil, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened (spatula will leave a brief trail through the mixture, it will coat the back of a spoon, see video for visual reference).
05:37 Remove from heat and add remaining strawberries and butter, stir until butter has melted and strawberries are evenly mixed throughout. Set aside and allow to cool completely before making the filling and assembling the “salad”.
Filling
06:35 Combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large mixing bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until thick, fluffy, and stiff peaks form. Set aside.
07:50 In a separate, medium-sized bowl, use an electric mixer (you can use the same “dirty” beaters from the whipped cream!) to beat together cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
08:35 Add whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture and fold together until mixture is combined, smooth, and creamy.
09:35 Spread mixture evenly over cooled pretzel crust. Be sure to spread all the way to the edges of the pan (so the next layer can’t soak into the pretzel layer and make it soggy). Set aside.
10:10 Spread prepared, slightly cooled strawberry mixture evenly over the filling. Cover with plastic wrap and set in refrigerator to chill for at least 3-4 hours (or overnight) before serving. Serving tip! This strawberry pretzel salad does not cut as neatly as its Jell-o counterpart so slicing can be a bit messy. For neater slices, chill the pretzel salad in the freezer for 10-30 minutes before slicing.

Notes
Pretzels for crust
You’ll need between 5 and 6 cups of the “tiny twists” pretzels. I pulverize mine in a food processor, 15 1-second pulses usually does the trick. You can place the pretzels in a large Ziploc bag and smack with a rolling pin, just make sure you have finely broken the pretzels.
Strawberries
Fresh or frozen strawberries will work. No need to thaw the frozen strawberries, just start the saucepan on a lower heat to help them gently thaw while cooking and they’ll just likely need to cook longer to cook out the excess water.
Storing
Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

[paulakimmes]

I never liked putting the jello layer together anyway, My Mother-in-law will never miss it. I will never even tell her, she won't miss it. This sounds and looks much better, can't wait to make this for Thanksgiving.

[ciegosordomudo]

I’ve never had this in my whole life, but I’ve seen it online for years. Honestly, your version looks a lot more appealing. It’s practically a simplified, almost no-bake cheesecake. Even though you added some sugar to the pretzel crust, I can imagine the saltiness of the pretzels being a nice contrast to the sweetness of the rest of it.

[Nanetteb]

I enjoy cream cheese with strawberries a lot.But now that I was introduced to a pretzel combination to this.I was quite pleased of seeing this strawberry salad with pretzel crust.

[wendymarie]

This looks so yummy. I'm definitely going to give it a try. Thanks, Sam, for all these wonderful recipes.

[Iamwhoiam]

You have the best recipes ever! Love it!
👩🏼‍🍳🍓🥨🥗😋🤗🙏🏾

[LisaEldredge]

But this dessert is great love the recipe!❤😊

[heathermulledy]

Yay! I actually love strawberry pretzel dessert and the one part that I wasn’t totally crazy about was the jello. So this twist is a welcome addition for me. Can’t wait to try it!

[francesmorgan]

This sounds delicious 😋 I think I will make this.

[carriegiest]

Absolutely delicious version of pretzel salad. It was not to loose. I didn't freeze before serving. Big hit.

[tammieolson]

My son in Law loves Mandarin orange jello salad so i may try this using the oranges

[stephaniemiller]

This looks yummy! I wish I could reach into my screen and grab what you just made!🍓

[FaithJer]

Thank you I will make this one “ ❤ I don’t use Cool Whip
Can’t wait 😋

[norwaysuem]

I really went diet. I got the nonsugar coolwhip. Dunked my berry in itvand took a bite of pretzel. Amazing. So much less worknand calories. Yum

[melaniemerkle]

This is a family favorite we have every Thanksgiving. However, since it's a "salad" we have it with the main meal. Dessert is reserved for pie, cheesecake, etc. 😂 My husband thinks we are nuts!

[pagesinked]

I bought some agar agar powder to do this with, but I may try your way first. (was going to use America's Test Kitchen recipe) ❤️🍓🍓

[vickirickman]

Hi Sam
I have never had strawberry pretzel salad, but if this is even remotely similar, but way better.
I cannot wait to make this
Looks so good !! 🤤😋 mmmm

Thank you!!
(Also, thank you for all the helpful tips. Also being an excellent teacher)

[CarolynnScoffield]

Sam, do you suppose we could sub in raspberries for the strawberries? Equal measurements or adjust in any way?
I do prefer no Jello, no fake whipped cream. The real deal wins in every way in my book!

[ethansnana]

Could we add some plain Bovine gelatin to make it a bind more?

[chastityraggs]

Can you make this with like peaches also, or maybe mandarins? Just wanted to know.

[LisaEldredge]

I’ve never had this dessert and jello doesn’t even sound good on this!