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Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe
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★★★★★

5.3 from 23 reviews

Cranberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy sweetened cream cheese layer, and a tangy, fruity cranberry gelatin topping. This layered treat combines salty, sweet, and tart flavors, making it a perfect festive dessert for holidays and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

  • 6 cups pretzel minis (or 2 cups pretzel crumbles)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
  • ½ cup salted butter (melted)

Cream Cheese Layer

  • 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
  • 1 brick (8 oz) cream cheese (very soft)
  • 1 tub (8 oz) Cool Whip
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice

Cranberry Jello Layer

  • 1 ½ cups water
  • 1 package (6 oz) raspberry Jello powder
  • 1 can (28 oz) whole cranberry sauce

Garnish

  • Whipped cream
  • Extra pretzels
  • Fresh cranberries

Instructions

  1. Prepare the crust: Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. Using a blender or food processor, pulverize the pretzels for about 1 minute until you have 2 cups of coarse crumbles.
  2. Mix and form crust: In a large bowl, combine the pretzel crumbles with melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well mixed. Spread the crust evenly at the bottom of the prepared dish and press down firmly using a flat-bottom measuring cup to compact. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set.
  3. Prepare cream cheese layer: Using a hand or stand mixer, blend powdered sugar, very soft cream cheese, Cool Whip, almond extract, and lemon juice until creamy. It’s okay if the cream cheese isn’t perfectly smooth; microwave for 30 seconds if desired to soften. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled pretzel crust.
  4. Chill cream cheese layer: Refrigerate the dish for 1 hour to allow the cream cheese layer to firm up.
  5. Make cranberry jello: Boil water and dissolve raspberry Jello powder completely. Immediately stir in the whole cranberry sauce until well combined.
  6. Add jello layer: Pour the cranberry jello mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer. Optionally, you can spread out the whole cranberries within this layer.
  7. Final chill: Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours so the jello sets firmly.
  8. Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish with whipped topping, extra pretzels, and fresh cranberries for a festive touch.

Notes

  • For best results, allow the dessert to chill overnight to ensure all layers are fully set.
  • If cream cheese is not softened enough, microwave for 20-30 seconds to ease mixing.
  • Use salted butter to balance the sweetness with a slight saltiness in the crust layer.
  • Whole cranberry sauce adds texture and tartness; you can substitute with fresh cranberries if preferred.
  • Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator and consume within 3 days.

Nutrition

Keywords: cranberry pretzel salad, layered dessert, holiday dessert, no bake dessert, sweet and salty dessert

Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/cranberry-pretzel-salad-recipe/