Christmas Pretzel Salad

Looking for a festive, fun dessert with a holiday twist? Dive into this Christmas Pretzel Salad, a layered treat that balances salty pretzels with sweet, creamy strawberry goodness, all dressed in cheerful Christmas colors.

Tis the season to be jolly and creative. If you are looking for a new and fun holiday dessert this year, you are in the right place. This Christmas pretzel salad is a fantastic, festive creation combining wonderful flavors. With a layer of fresh strawberries, a yummy cream cheese layer, and a buttery pretzel crust, this delicious dessert will surely be the perfect addition to holiday dinners. 

The best part? This Christmas pretzel salad is super easy to make. It uses simple ingredients, many of which you may already have on hand. It is perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, or even just to enjoy as a sweet treat. No matter when, why, or how you serve this fabulous dessert, it will become a family favorite. 

Why You’ll Love Christmas Pretzel Salad 

• Easy to Make: This dessert is not only delicious but also straightforward to make. It’s an excellent choice for busy holiday preparations. 
• Festive Appearance: The dessert’s vibrant green cheesecake layer and red strawberry topping make it visually appealing and perfect for the holiday season. Its vibrant colors celebrate the holiday spirit and create a beautiful centerpiece on your dessert table.
• Sweet and Salty Combination: The contrast between the salty pretzel crust and the sweet cream cheese and strawberry jello layers creates a delightful balance of flavors and textures. This sweet and salty combination adds depth to the flavor of the dessert. 
• Refreshing and Light: Christmas pretzel salad is a light and refreshing dessert, providing a welcome contrast after a heavy holiday meal. It’s not overly rich or heavy, making it an excellent choice to cleanse the palate and leave room for other festive treats.
• Versatile: While this strawberry pretzel dessert is designed for Christmas with strawberry jello and green food coloring, you can adapt it for various occasions. Use different flavored Jello and food coloring. This versatility means you can enjoy this dessert year-round, tailoring it to match different themes and seasons.

Ingredients 

The full printable recipe card with measurements and instructions is found at the bottom of the post.

• Crushed pretzels 
• Unsalted butter 
• Granulated sugar
• Cream cheese 
• Whipped topping 
• Green gel food coloring 
• Strawberries 
• Strawberry Jello
• Boiling water 

How to Make Christmas Pretzel Salad

• Step One: Preheat the oven to 400F degrees and grease the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish.
• Step Two: Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a mixing bowl until well combined.
• Step Three: Press the crust into the bottom of the baking dish and bake in the oven for 8 minutes. Remove and allow the crust to fully cool.

• Step Four: To prepare the green cheesecake filling, blend the cream cheese and granulated sugar in a large mixing bowl until smooth with an electric mixer on medium-high speed.
• Step Five: Fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until combined.
• Step Six: Stir in several drops of green gel food coloring until you reach your desired shade of green.

• Step Seven: Spread the green cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust and place the baking dish into the refrigerator for an hour to chill.
• Step Eight: Prepare the jello topping once the cream cheese mixture has been set.
• Step Nine: Mix the boiling water with the strawberry jello until fully dissolved. Allow the Jello to cool and slightly set.
• Step Ten: Stir the sliced strawberries into the jello mixture and spread over the cream cheese mixture. Return to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4-6 hours or overnight until the jello layer is fully set and firm.
• Step Eleven: Slice and serve, enjoy!

Equipment Needed

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• 9×13 baking dish 
• Large bowl
• Electric mixer
• Spatula

What to Serve with Christmas Pretzel Salad

Serve this Christmas pretzel salad alongside some of your favorite holiday foods at your next gathering.

• Christmas Ham
• Cranberry Relish
• Crockpot Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
• Thanksgiving Sliders
• Spiced Cranberry Punch
• White Chocolate Elf Fluff

Variations and Substitutions

• Jello Flavor: Experiment with different jello flavors. Instead of strawberry gelatin, you can try raspberry, cherry, or lime Jello for a unique flavor profile.
• Crust Variations: Instead of pretzels, try a graham cracker or shortbread crust for a different texture and taste.
• Cream Cheese Filling: If you’re looking for a lighter option, you can substitute the cream cheese with Greek yogurt or a mixture of yogurt and whipped cream.
• Whipped Topping: You can use homemade whipped cream instead of store-bought whipped topping for a fresher taste. Simply beat heavy cream with a bit of sugar until stiff peaks form.
• Color Variations: Adjust the food coloring to match the theme of your gathering. For other holidays or occasions, use different colors.
• Nut Toppings: Add a layer of chopped nuts like pecans or almonds on top of the crunchy pretzel crust for extra crunch and flavor.
• Fresh Fruit: Add Fresh fruit or berries to the top of your Christmas pretzel salad before serving. This can add brightness to the dish, making it the perfect dessert. 

Storage Instructions

Leftovers of Christmas pretzel salad are super unlikely. People will gobble this up at gatherings. If, on the off chance, you need to store this dessert salad, do not fear. There is a way. Simply put your leftovers into an airtight container or wrap them in plastic wrap. Place leftovers in the fridge for 2-3 days. 

Can I Freeze?

No, it’s not recommended to freeze the Christmas strawberry pretzel salad. Freezing may alter the texture and consistency of the layers, particularly the jello layer, which can become watery and lose its desired firmness when thawed. This dessert is best enjoyed fresh.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Crush Pretzels Properly: To ensure the pretzel layer holds together well, you will want to ensure they are properly crushed. The pretzels should be a fine consistency, but not so fine that they become like breadcrumbs. Use a food processor or place the pretzels in a resealable bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
• Fully Cool the Crust: After baking the pretzel mixture, let it cool completely before adding the cream cheese filling. This prevents the cream cheese layer from melting and becoming too runny. If you place it on the hot pretzel crust, you will likely have a runny, watery mess.
• Thaw Whipped Topping: Ensure the whipped topping is fully thawed before incorporating it into the cream cheese filling. This ensures a smooth and consistent texture. Allow it to thaw in the fridge briefly before incorporating it into your christmas pretzel salad.
• Add Food Coloring Gradually: When adding food coloring to the cream cheese filling, do so gradually. You can always add more to achieve the desired shade of green, but it’s challenging to lighten the color if you add too much at once. Just be mindful of how much you are using. 
• Mix Jello Well: When preparing the strawberry jello layer, ensure the gelatin is completely dissolved in the boiling water before adding the sliced strawberries. This helps the Jello set adequately and evenly, stabilizing the strawberries in the mix.
• Chill Thoroughly: For the best results, allow the dessert to chill for the recommended time, which is at least 4-6 hours or overnight. This ensures that all the layers are set correctly, and you achieve the desired firmness.
• Sharp Knife: When it’s time to slice and serve, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to get clean and neat slices through the jello layer. This will help to keep the distinct layers stable and create nice, clean cuts.

Can I Make Ahead?

You can make Christmas strawberry pretzel salad ahead of time, and it’s a fantastic idea! It’s one of those rare desserts that gets better with some chill time in the fridge. So, feel free to whip it up a few hours or even the night before your event. This make-ahead convenience not only saves you time but also ensures that the flavors meld and the dessert is perfectly chilled when you’re ready to serve. It’s a delightful way to simplify your holiday preparations.

Christmas Desserts

• Winter Cherry Cobbler
• Eggnog Bread Pudding
• Chocolate and Peanut Butter No-Bake Cookies
• Cranberry White Chocolate Cheesecake

FAQ

Strawberry Recipes

• Strawberry Mousse
• Easy Strawberry Icebox Cake
• Strawberry Fluff Salad
• Strawberry Cupcakes
• Easy Strawberry Cheesecake Fluff

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