Strawberry Pretzel Salad – Sugar Spun Run

My (largely) from-scratch strawberry pretzel salad is made with out gelatin or cool whip. It tastes even higher than the traditional model you’re used to! Recipe features a how-to video!

Strawberry Pretzel Salad From Scratch

These of you who’ve by no means had strawberry pretzel salad could also be shocked to find that it’s really not fairly a salad in any respect. As a substitute, it’s an old style layered dessert with a crumbly-crisp pretzel base, fluffy cream cheese/whipped cream filling, and a contemporary strawberry topping. All are straightforward to make–the toughest half is ready for it to relax earlier than serving!

I’ve gotten lots (a LOT) of requests to share my very own model of strawberry pretzel salad over time, however personally, I’ve by no means been a fan of the “conventional” model (to not point out we simply don’t actually “do” Cool Whip or Jell-O right here). You could find these variations anyplace, so I knew that I needed my model to be no less than largely from scratch (the pretzels aren’t, that’s it!).

It’s a tiny bit extra work than its traditional, extra jiggly counterpart, however value each second of the trouble. I like this model and I believe you’ll, too!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• No gelatin or Cool Whip! By making the highest and center layer from scratch we keep away from the factitious components and preservatives and simply make for a significantly better, fresher-tasting dessert.
• Candy, salty, creamy, and contemporary. This dessert has all the flavors and textures.
• Nice for events and holidays. It simply feeds a crowd and is ideal for making upfront! We take pleasure in this simply as a lot at Christmas as we do on the Fourth of July.
• May be made with contemporary or frozen berries, so use no matter you’ve gotten readily available or what’s in season.

Substances

Regardless of being nearly completely from scratch, my recipe doesn’t require a bunch of additional substances. You’ll actually solely want 10, except you choose to make use of brown sugar to the crust (then you definately’ll want 11!).

• Strawberries. You need to use contemporary or frozen sliced strawberries. I often suggest utilizing contemporary when they’re in season (and check out my strawberry cake too, whilst you’re at it!). When you use frozen, there isn’t a have to thaw them first.
• Pretzels. Similar to when making my pretzel crusted rooster, I like to recommend mini twist pretzels for right this moment’s recipe. Crush them finely to allow them to compact properly into your baking dish; I exploit a meals processor to do that, however you may alternatively use a rolling pin and ziplock bag.
• Cream cheese. Use brick-style, full-fat cream cheese such as you would for cheesecake (or my strawberry cheesecake). Be sure to let this soften to room temperature for the smoothest and creamiest filling (if blended chilly it might make the filling lumpy).
• Cornstarch. This helps thicken our strawberry topping and encourages it to set right into a agency consistency. It gained’t be fairly as agency and jiggly as gelatin, however it would nonetheless have a beautiful, jammy consistency.
• Sugar. Utilizing a mix of white and brown sugar within the crust provides a pleasant depth of taste. I do that in my graham cracker crust too! Alternatively, you could possibly use all of 1 or the opposite–within the photograph above, I solely present granulated.

SAM’S TIP: I at all times suggest contemporary lemon juice for the perfect taste, however since we’re utilizing such a small quantity, bottled will work simply fantastic right here. Don’t you dare use bottled for my strawberry lemonade although!

That is simply an outline of the substances I used and why. For the complete recipe please scroll right down to the underside of the put up!

How one can Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Earlier than we get into the nitty gritty, I simply need to observe that the images and directions beneath are simply meant to be useful, visible pointers to accompany the recipe card (on the backside of the put up) and aren’t meant so that you can attempt to bake from. I present these images and particulars as a result of I believe they’re useful, however for the complete recipe in its entirety scroll right down to the recipe card.

Make the Crust

1. Crush your pretzels into fantastic items utilizing a meals processor or rolling pin.
2. Toss with butter and sugars till all the pieces is mixed and the pretzels are moist.
3. Firmly press into the underside of your pan. I like to make use of the (clear!) backside of a 1-cup measuring cup or kitchen glass.
4. Bake for 12 minutes and let cool fully earlier than including your filling.

Make the Strawberry Topping

1. Whisk the sugar and cornstarch collectively in a saucepan, then stir in half of the strawberries and lemon juice.
2. Cook dinner over medium low till the berries are juicy. This may take a couple of minutes, particularly if you’re utilizing frozen berries.
3. Improve the warmth to medium and stir consistently because the combination boils. As soon as it thickens, take away from the warmth. You possibly can take a look at this by dipping a spoon into the combination; if it coats the again of the spoon, it’s prepared! You may also run your spatula by the center–it ought to go away a transparent path. I show this within the video beneath when you want a visible.
4. Stir within the remaining strawberries and the butter (the butter provides a shiny shade and richer mouthfeel), then pour right into a heatproof bowl and let cool fully earlier than continuing. You possibly can pop it within the fridge whilst you make the filling to hurry up the method!

Make the Filling and Assemble

1. Whip the cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla to stiff, fluffy peaks, then put aside. In case you have struggled with whipping cream up to now, try my put up on the best way to make selfmade whipped cream for plenty of ideas!
2. Beat the cream cheese and sugar collectively in a separate bowl, then fold within the whipped cream till all the pieces is properly mixed.
3. Assemble: unfold the filling over your (fully cooled, if it’s heat the filling can begin to soften) pretzel crust, ensuring it goes all the best way to the sides. If there are any gaps, the strawberry topping can leak by and make your crust soggy.
4. Add the (cooled!) strawberry topping evenly over high, then cowl and place within the fridge to relax for a number of hours or in a single day.

SAM’S TIP: I like to recommend freezing your “salad” for 10-Half-hour earlier than slicing; this makes for the cleanest, neatest slices. In any other case it may be a bit messy to chop and serve (however no much less scrumptious!).

Regularly Requested Questions

I’m so excited to listen to how you want my selfmade tackle this traditional dessert! Please go away me a remark beneath when you strive it 😊

Take pleasure in!

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