Strawberry Pretzel Crackle Salad Recipe
Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful layered dessert salad featuring a crunchy pretzel and pecan topping baked to golden perfection, creamy sweetened cream cheese mixed with Cool Whip, and fresh sliced strawberries. This easy-to-make no-bake salad is perfect for potlucks, parties, or a sweet treat that balances crunchy, creamy, and fruity textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Pretzel Topping
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter, melted
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 16 oz Cool Whip
Fruit Layer
- 4 cups sliced strawberries
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Mix Pretzel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir well until all ingredients are evenly coated and thoroughly combined.
- Bake Pretzel Mixture: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the mixture is bubbling and golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break into small pieces to create the crunchy topping.
- Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese along with the granulated sugar and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until just combined. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until ready to assemble.
- Assemble the Salad: Just before serving, spread the chilled cream cheese mixture evenly in a serving dish or bowl. Layer the sliced strawberries evenly over the cream cheese layer. Finally, sprinkle the cooled pretzel crunch mixture over the top. Optionally, you can fold some pretzel pieces into the cream cheese layer or reserve extra for garnish to add more texture.
Notes
- Make sure the pretzel topping cools completely before breaking it into pieces to avoid sogginess.
- Softening the cream cheese at room temperature before mixing will ensure a smooth and creamy mixture.
- This salad is best served the same day it is assembled for optimal freshness and crunch.
- You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on preference or allergies.
- For a dairy-free version, consider using dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping alternatives.
Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, pretzel salad, creamy salad, dessert salad, no-bake dessert, strawberries, pecans, cream cheese salad
