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Strawberry Cream Cheese Pretzel Salad Bars

Strawberry cream cheese pretzel salad bars, glossy ruby topping.
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These bars are the dessert that shows up at every potluck and disappears first. They have that perfect balance of salty, sweet, creamy, and fruity that makes people close their eyes when they take a bite. It tastes like summer on a plate but comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 6 ounces)
  • 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 3/4 cup melted butter
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed
  • 6 ounces strawberry gelatin
  • 2 cups boiling water
  • 2 cups cold water
  • 1 pound fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup frozen strawberries (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, 3 tablespoons sugar, and melted butter. Stir until every pretzel piece is coated and the mixture looks like wet sand.
  3. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then set aside to cool completely.
  4. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and 1 cup sugar together until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes with an electric mixer.
  5. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until no white streaks remain. Spread this mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
  6. In a separate bowl, dissolve the strawberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir for 2 minutes until completely dissolved.
  7. Add 2 cups of cold water and stir. Refrigerate this mixture for about 20 minutes, until it is cool but not set (syrupy).
  8. Fold in the sliced fresh strawberries and frozen strawberries if using. Gently pour this mixture over the chilled cream cheese layer.
  9. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
  10. When ready to serve, use a hot, dry knife to cut clean squares. Wipe the knife between cuts for the best presentation.

Notes

For the best slice, chill the bars for at least four hours before cutting with a hot, dry knife. This simple hack stops the cream cheese layer from sticking and gives you clean, photogenic edges. You can make these bars a day ahead for best results.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.stacksipsnack.com/strawberry-cream-cheese-pretzel-salad-bars/