Description

Strawberry Pecan Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert that combines a crunchy pretzel and pecan crust with a creamy, sweet cream cheese filling, topped with fresh diced strawberries. This no-bake salad is quick to prepare and perfect for parties, potlucks, or any casual gathering. Its blend of salty, sweet, and tart flavors creates an irresistible treat that pleases all ages.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

1 cup crushed pretzels
½ cup chopped pecans
¾ cup brown sugar
¾ cup butter, melted

Filling

8 oz cream cheese, softened
½ cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
3 cups Cool Whip (or whipped cream)

Topping

3 cups diced strawberries

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Instructions

Preheat and prepare crust mixture: Preheat your oven to 400˚F. In a bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter, mixing thoroughly to ensure the dry ingredients are evenly coated.
Bake crust: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly onto a large baking sheet with sides, such as a jelly roll pan. Bake for 7 minutes at 400˚F until the mixture is golden and slightly set. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, break the baked crust into small pieces and set aside.
Make cream cheese filling: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Fold in Cool Whip: Gently fold the Cool Whip or whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and fluffy. Cover this mixture and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
Combine and serve: Just before serving, stir the diced strawberries and the baked pretzel-pecan pieces into the chilled cream cheese mixture. This preserves the crunchiness of the pretzel and freshness of the strawberries. Serve chilled for best taste and texture.

Notes

Make sure the pretzel crust is fully cooled before breaking to keep the pieces crisp.
You can substitute Cool Whip with freshly whipped heavy cream for a more natural option.
For extra flavor, use toasted pecans instead of raw.
This dessert is best served the same day it’s assembled to maintain the crisp texture of the pretzels.
To keep leftovers fresh, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

Prep Time: 12 minutes
Cook Time: 7 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American