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Easy No-Bake Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars

Easy No-Bake Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars - featured image
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A quick and easy no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy whipped cream and cream cheese layer, topped with a fresh strawberry gelatin topping. Perfect for summer snacks and last-minute guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 6 ounces)
  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, whipped to soft peaks
  • 1 package (6 ounces) strawberry flavored gelatin
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Pretzel Crust: In a medium bowl, mix 2 cups crushed pretzels, 3/4 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup sugar until combined. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch pan. Set aside.
  2. Make the Cream Cheese Layer: In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. In a separate chilled bowl, whip 1 1/2 cups heavy cream to soft peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and fluffy. Spread evenly over the pretzel crust. Refrigerate for about 20 minutes.
  3. Prepare the Strawberry Gelatin Topping: Dissolve the 6-ounce strawberry gelatin package in 2 cups boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved. Let cool to room temperature but not set (about 10-15 minutes). Fold in 2 cups fresh sliced strawberries. Pour carefully over the cream cheese layer.
  4. Chill until Set: Cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  5. Serve: Slice into bars using a sharp knife. For cleaner cuts, rinse and dry the knife between slices. Serve chilled.

Notes

For a firmer crust, bake the pretzel crust at 350°F for 5-7 minutes before adding the cream cheese layer, though this is optional. Chill mixing bowl and beaters before whipping cream for quicker results. Use gluten-free pretzels and gelatin for gluten-free version. Swap heavy cream for whipped coconut cream for dairy-free option. Let gelatin cool to just below room temperature before folding in strawberries to avoid melting the cream cheese layer. Keep knife warm and clean between slices for neat bars.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake, strawberry, pretzel salad bars, summer snacks, easy dessert, no oven, creamy, crunchy, gelatin dessert

Find it online: https://sweetstirring.com/easy-no-bake-strawberry-pretzel-salad-bars-recipe-perfect-for-summer-snacks/