Strawberry Crack Salad Recipe
Strawberry Crack Salad is a delightful dessert salad combining sweet, tangy strawberries with a crunchy, buttery pretzel and pecan crumble, mixed into a creamy, fluffy base of cream cheese and Cool Whip. This easy-to-make treat perfectly balances textures and flavors, making it a crowd-pleaser for any occasion.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 6-8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert Salad
- Method: Baking and mixing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crunch Layer
- 1 cup pretzels, chopped
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup melted butter
Creamy Base
- 8 oz (1 package) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) tub Cool Whip, thawed
Fruit
- 2–3 cups strawberries, diced
Instructions
- Prepare the Crunch Layer: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped pretzels, chopped pecans, brown sugar, and melted butter. Stir everything well to coat the pretzels and nuts evenly. Spread this mixture evenly onto a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Bake for 7-9 minutes, stirring once halfway through to prevent burning. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely to ensure a crunchy texture.
- Make the Creamy Base: In a separate mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and fluffy. Gently fold in the thawed Cool Whip until fully combined and creamy. Set this mixture aside for the next step.
- Combine and Serve: Once the crunch layer has cooled completely, fold the diced strawberries and the cooled pretzel-pecan mixture gently into the creamy base. Mix carefully to preserve the crunchiness. Serve immediately for best texture and flavor.
Notes
- Make sure the pretzel and pecan mixture is completely cooled before folding into the creamy base to maintain crunchiness.
- For best results, use fresh, ripe strawberries to enhance the flavor.
- This salad is best served immediately but can be chilled for up to 2 hours; longer refrigeration may soften the crunch.
- Substitute Cool Whip with whipped cream for a less processed option.
- You can customize nuts according to preference; almonds or walnuts work well too.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 30g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: Strawberry Crack Salad, dessert salad, pretzel salad, creamy strawberry dessert, sweet and crunchy salad
Find it online: https://cheframiflavor.com/strawberry-crack-salad-recipe/
