Transfer the mixture to the bowl with the whipped cream and fold to combine. Beat the cream cheese, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla in the same bowl used to beat the cream (no need to wipe clean) on medium-high until light, fluffy and smooth, about 3 minutes.Transfer the mixture to a large bowl and set aside. For the cream cheese filling: Beat the heavy cream in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment on medium-high until stiff peaks form, 1 to 2 minutes.Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely, about 30 minutes. Bake until lightly crisp and browned, 12 to 14 minutes. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Stir together the pretzel crumbs, butter, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Crush the pretzels in a large resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin. For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°.The extra time that the Jell-O and filling have to set will help to yield the perfect slice! Yes! Make this dish up to 1 day in advance and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. Don't follow the instructions on the Jell-O box: follow this recipe and use only 2 cups of water (not 4) to give the Jell-O layer an intense strawberry flavor and slice-able thickness.Ĭan you make strawberry pretzel salad ahead of time? This "salad" is so easy to make, but it's important to follow the directions in this recipe. How do you make the Jell-O for strawberry pretzel salad? Fresh, sliced strawberries are used in place of frozen, to mellow the sweetness of the Jell-O topping and give great texture in every bite. The secret to this strawberry pretzel salad recipe is freshness! Homemade whipped cream and sour cream, take the cream cheese filling to the next level, giving the dish richness and unparalleled flavor. What's the secret to making strawberry pretzel salad? Hungry? Grab a 9-by-13-inch pan and let's get started! But honestly, who cares what it's called? Strawberry pretzel salad is scrumptious! Lovers of strawberry desserts will go bonkers for this make-ahead dish: the combination of the savory-sweet pretzel crust, cream cheese layer, and the sweet strawberry Jell-O topping makes this a hit with kids and adults alike. Quick poll: is strawberry pretzel salad a dessert or a salad? It's confusing, right? Folks around the internet love debating the name of this almost no-bake dessert (the crust bakes for a few minutes, so it's fair to call this a barely bake dessert).