Get all the flavors of a strawberry pretzel salad but in a dip form. My strawberry pretzel dip is creamy, crunchy, and perfectly sweet. One of our favorite dessert dips to whip up. Made with crushed pretzels, cream cheese, Cool Whip, strawberry jello, and fresh strawberries.
This strawberry pretzel salad dip is great for the hotter months of the year. A treat that is great to snack on around the pool, serve up at Easter, or make and nibble on for an evening snack. This strawberry pretzel dessert dip can be made all year round. Pair with vanilla wafer cookies, pretzels, sugar cookies, fresh fruit, etc.
If you are a fan of dessert dips, you have to try this blueberry cheesecake dip. It is such a good dessert to try out.
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Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you will need to make this recipe. You can find the full list in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- pretzels
- butter
- granulated sugar
- cream cheese
- cool whip
- strawberry jello
- strawberries
Instructions
This is a quick overview of the instructions to make this recipe. You can find the full steps in the recipe card.
Mix together the pretzels, butter, and sugar. Then spread onto a baking sheet and bake as directed. Then set aside to cool.
In a large mixing bowl beat the cream cheese until fluffy.
Add in the sugar, whipped topping, and gelatin and mix until well combined.
Fold in the pretzels and strawberries, then top with additional strawberries.
Hint: Make sure your strawberries are ripe and fresh. Then dice into small pieces so it fully incorporates in the dip, and is easy for scooping up.
Variations
Let me share a few different ways you can change up this delicious dessert a bit to add different or more flavors to the dessert dip.
- Freeze-Dried Strawberries: If it is not the strawberry season you can use freeze-dried strawberries instead of fresh ones. It will alter the flavor a bit will still be a delicious pairing.
- Chopped Pecans: Want more of a crunch? Add in some pecans with the salty pretzels when you go to bake in the oven for more crunch factor.
- Pretzel Crisps: Instead of classic pretzels you can use the crisps to lighten up the strawberry mixture a bit.
See this strawberry trifle for another decadent strawberry dessert idea.
Equipment
While a hand mixer or stand mixer is not required it will help to elevate the creamy texture of this classic dessert dip. You will also want a mixing bowl that you can use, and a serving bowl.
This is a great dessert we serve up for potluck events, birthday parties, summer cookouts, and more. So feel free to buy fun-themed serving bowls for whatever the occasion is.
Storage
Store the strawberry dip in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days. You might want to give it a quick stir before you go to serve it up. If you want to top with fresh pretzels bring back in more crunch factor as the pretzels do soften over time.
I do not recommend freezing the creamy dip as it will not thaw well once it has been frozen.
Wendy’s Test Kitchen Tips
- Make sure to mix up the buttery pretzel crust and bake it to help ensure the pretzels stay crunchy. Then allow it to cool completely before mixing it into the tangy cream cheese filling.
- The salt from the pretzels helps to balance out the sweetness of the base and berries.
- Ensure you store the dip in the fridge when you are not serving it up. It will thicken just a bit as it chills, but don’t worry it will just get even better in terms of flavor.
- I find that using a hand mixer offers the best results in creating the smooth cream cheese layer.
- Make sure the cream cheese mixture is made with softened cream cheese, otherwise, it will curdle and not have a smooth texture.
FAQs
Yes, you can use frozen strawberries to make this dip. Just thaw them first, so the excess liquid drains off. Then finely dice and mix in the sweet salad dip.
I recommend only making this dip a day ahead of when you want to serve it up. Then leave back some extra pretzels to top the dip to help keep it crunchy and creamy.
You can use graham crackers, shortbread cookies, or even Golden Oreos. If you opt for one of those you do not have to bake the mixture if you don’t want. Baking helps to allow it to stay crunchier. You can omit the butter and sugar for coating the ingredients if you go that route.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Strawberry Pretzel Dip recipe:
I hope you’ll like this recipe, and please, if you make this recipe, snap a pic and hashtag it #mamasonabudget— I love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter!
If you love this recipe, please leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating! Thank you.
Strawberry Pretzel Dip
Equipment
- Baking Sheet
- Medium bowl
- Large bowl
- hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- ½ cup melted butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar divided
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 8 ounces cool whip
- 3 tablespoons strawberry jello mix
- 1 cup fresh strawberries chopped
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees fahrenheit, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 1/2 cup granulated sugar.
- Spread the pretzel mixture in an even layer onto the parchment, and bake for 7-8 minutes.
- Allow the pretzel mixture to cool completely, and break up into a crumble.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth.
- Add in 1/2 cup granulated sugar, cool whip, and strawberry jello. Mix until well combined.
- Fold in the fresh strawberries and pretzel crumble.
- If desired, top with extra fresh strawberries or a bit of the pretzel crumble.
- Enjoy!