Description
A sweet-salty layer of crunchy pretzel crust, creamy cream cheese, and refreshing strawberry Jell-O. This no-bake American dessert is ready in 3 hours with a golden-baked base and soft center.
Ingredients
6 oz strawberry Jell-O
2 cups boiling water
2 cups salted pretzels (crushed)
12 Tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz full-fat cream cheese
8 oz Cool Whip
1 lb fresh strawberries (hulled and sliced)
Instructions
Combine 6 oz strawberry Jell-O with 2 cups boiling water in a large bowl. Stir constantly until fully dissolved (2-3 minutes)
Preheat oven to 350°F. Crush salted pretzels to coarse sand texture. Mix with melted butter-sugar mixture (12 tbsp butter + 1/4 cup sugar over low heat, then 1/2 cup sugar + 1 tsp vanilla). Press into a 13×9 inch baking pan and bake for 10 minutes
Let pretzel crust cool completely on a wire rack (critical to prevent Jell-O seepage). Whisk cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar and 1 tsp vanilla until smooth. Fold in Cool Whip for a light texture
Spread Jell-O over cooled crust before it fully gels. Top with lightly frozen fresh strawberries (10-minute freeze prevents juice seepage)
Chill for 30 minutes to firm. Serve cubes in pre-portioned bowls for neat serving
Notes
Substitute coconut oil for butter and whipped coconut cream for dairy-free version
Herbal tea (16 oz) can replace boiling water for reduced sugar
Freezing strawberries first is optional but recommended to concentrate their flavor
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 10
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 (2-3 inch) serving
- Calories: 170
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 50mg