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Strawberry Pretzel Salad

Source of Recipe

Saveur


Recipe Introduction

"Strawberry pretzel salad is a time-honored relic of the 1970s, when Jell-O salads were all the rage. The dish, a picnic favorite with kids and adults alike, is low-effort, but needs several hours to set up in the fridge. Those without a food processor can crush the pretzels in a resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin. It's important to spread each layer to the edge of the pan to prevent seepage. Using frozen strawberries speeds up the cooling of the gelatin; if you prefer fresh berries, cool the gelatin mixture to room temperature before adding the fruit."

Recipe Link: https://tinyurl.com/yy3fbdxk

List of Ingredients

For the crust:
â—¦ 12 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus more for greasing
â—¦ 8 ounces pretzels
â—¦ 2 tablespoons sugar

For the middle layer:
â—¦ 8 ounces softened cream cheese
â—¦ One 8-ounce tub Cool Whip, thawed, plus more for garnish (optional)
â—¦ 1 cup sugar

For the top layer:
â—¦ Two 0.3-ounce boxes strawberry gelatin
â—¦ 20 ounces frozen sliced strawberries, plus more for garnish (optional)


Recipe

Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400° F. Butter a 9 by 13-inch pan.

Make the crust:
In a food processor, pulverize the pretzels to coarse crumbs, about seven 1-second pulses. Add the sugar and butter and blend until incorporated, about three pulses more. Scrape into the pan and use the bottom of a glass to press into an even layer all the way to the edges. Bake until beginning to brown, about 7 minutes, then remove from the oven and cool thoroughly, at least 1 hour.

Make the middle layer:
Using a stand or handheld electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, Cool Whip, and sugar. Use a silicone spatula to spread evenly over the crust to the edges of the pan, then cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

Make the top layer:
In a bowl, whisk 2 cups of boiling water into the gelatin until dissolved. Add the strawberries and stir until the berries are thawed and the liquid is room temperature and beginning to thicken. Pour over the cream layer, cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.

To serve, cut into 2-inch squares in the pan, wiping the knife as you go to ensure the layers remain visible. Top each square with additional Cool Whip and strawberries if desired.

Makes twelve 2-inch bars