Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Introduction

Cranberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful dessert that combines salty, sweet, and tangy flavors in each bite. With a crunchy pretzel crust, creamy middle layer, and a vibrant cranberry topping, this dish is perfect for holidays or any special occasion.

Ingredients

• 6 cups pretzel minis (or 2 cups pretzel crumbles)
• ⅓ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar (packed)
• ½ cup salted butter (melted)
• 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
• 1 ½ cups water
• 1 package (6 oz) raspberry Jello powder
• 1 can (28 oz) whole cranberry sauce
• Whipped cream (for garnish)
• Extra pretzels (for garnish)
• Fresh cranberries (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Spray a 9×13 casserole dish with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Using a blender or food processor, pulverize the pretzels for about 1 minute until you have 2 cups of coarse crumbles.
3. Step 3: In a large bowl, mix the pretzel crumbles with melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well combined. Spread the mixture evenly in the bottom of the casserole dish and press firmly to pack the crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set.
4. Step 4: With a hand or stand mixer, combine powdered sugar, softened cream cheese, Cool Whip, almond extract, and lemon juice. Spread this creamy layer over the chilled pretzel crust. If the cream cheese is not completely smooth, you can microwave it for 30 seconds to soften further.
5. Step 5: Chill the cream cheese layer for 1 hour in the refrigerator.
6. Step 6: Bring the water to a boil. Stir in raspberry Jello powder until dissolved. Immediately mix in the whole cranberry sauce until well combined.
7. Step 7: Pour the cranberry Jello mixture over the cream cheese layer. You may spread out the whole cranberries evenly. Cover and chill overnight or at least 6 hours to allow the top layer to set.
8. Step 8: Before serving, garnish with whipped cream, extra pretzels, and fresh cranberries if desired.

Tips & Variations

• For a crisper crust, press the pretzel mixture down firmly and chill well before adding the next layer.
• If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the sugar in the crust or use light Cool Whip.
• Try substituting raspberry Jello with cherry or strawberry for a different fruity flavor.
• To make the dessert extra festive, add chopped nuts or sprinkle cinnamon into the crust mixture.

Storage

Store the cranberry pretzel salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Avoid freezing as the creamy and Jello layers may separate. To serve, allow it to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes for easier slicing.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular pretzels instead of mini pretzels?

Yes, you can break regular pretzels into smaller pieces or pulse them in a food processor to get the crumb size needed for the crust.

What can I substitute for Cool Whip?

You can use whipped heavy cream or homemade stabilized whipped cream as a substitute for Cool Whip, but the texture might be slightly different.

Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

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Cranberry Pretzel Salad is a delightful layered dessert that combines a salty-sweet pretzel crust with a creamy cream cheese layer and a tangy cranberry gelatin topping. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any festive occasion, this refreshing treat offers a balance of textures and flavors with a slight almond and lemon zest in the creamy middle layer.

• Author: mia
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 minutes (for boiling water and dissolving Jello)
• Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes (including chilling times and overnight set)
• Yield: 12 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

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 to prevent sticking. Using a blender or food processor, pulverize the pretzels for about 1 minute until you have 2 cups of coarse crumbles.
2. Mix and set crust: In a large bowl, combine the pretzel crumbles with the melted butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until well mixed. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish, using a flat-bottomed measuring cup to pack it down tightly. Chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour to allow the crust to set.
3. Make cream cheese layer: With a hand or stand mixer, blend the powdered sugar, cream cheese, Cool Whip, almond extract, and lemon juice until the mixture is creamy. A few small lumps in the cream cheese are acceptable, but microwaving for 30 seconds can smooth it further if desired. Spread this creamy mixture evenly over the chilled pretzel crust.
4. Chill the cream cheese layer: Place the dish back into the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour to allow the cream cheese layer to firm up.
5. Prepare cranberry Jello layer: Boil the water and stir in the raspberry Jello powder until fully dissolved. Immediately add the whole cranberry sauce and mix thoroughly until well combined.
6. Add cranberry layer: Pour the cranberry Jello mixture gently over the chilled cream cheese layer. Optionally, spread out the whole cranberries evenly. Cover the dish and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours to set completely.
7. Garnish and serve: Before serving, garnish the salad with whipped cream, extra pretzels, and fresh cranberries as desired for added texture and presentation.

Notes

• Microwaving cream cheese for 30 seconds can help smooth the texture if it’s not very soft.
• Pressing the pretzel crust firmly is important to prevent it from falling apart when serving.
• For best results, chill the dessert overnight to let layers fully set and flavors meld together.
• This salad is a great make-ahead dessert ideal for holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• If you prefer, add nuts to the crust for extra crunch and flavor.

Keywords: cranberry pretzel salad, layered dessert, holiday dessert, cream cheese dessert, cranberry Jello salad, pretzel crust dessert