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Strawberry Crackle Salad Recipe

5 from 53 reviews

Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful dessert salad featuring a crunchy pretzel and pecan crust combined with creamy sweetened cream cheese and Cool Whip, layered with fresh sliced strawberries. The salty-sweet combination and contrasting textures make it a perfect treat for parties and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Crunchy Topping

  • 2 cups crushed pretzels
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 cup butter, melted

Salad Mixture

  • 4 cups sliced strawberries
  • 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 16 oz Cool Whip

Instructions

  1. Prepare Pretzel Topping: Preheat your oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Stir in the melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened.
  2. Bake the Topping: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes or until the topping is bubbling and golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely, then break into small pieces.
  3. Make the Creamy Base: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
  4. Fold in Cool Whip: Gently fold the Cool Whip into the cream cheese mixture until well combined. Cover and refrigerate this mixture until you are ready to assemble the salad.
  5. Assemble the Salad: Just before serving, fold the sliced strawberries and half of the pretzel crunch into the creamy mixture. Mix gently to combine.
  6. Garnish and Serve: Top the salad with the remaining pretzel crunch pieces to retain a crisp texture. Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful crunch and fresh flavors.

Notes

  • Best served immediately after adding the pretzel topping to maintain the crunchy texture.
  • You can prepare the pretzel topping and creamy base ahead of time and store separately until ready to assemble.
  • For extra flavor, consider chilling the pretzel topping before baking to help it hold its shape better.
  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best taste and texture.

Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, pretzel salad, creamy dessert salad, party salad, summer dessert, sweet and salty salad