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Strawberry Crackle Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 131 reviews

Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful dessert salad combining a crunchy, buttery pretzel and pecan topping with a creamy, tangy cream cheese and Cool Whip base, generously studded with fresh strawberries. This no-bake chilled salad offers a perfect balance of sweet, salty, and fruity flavors with a satisfying crunch, ideal for potlucks and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

Crunch Topping

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

Salad Base

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

Fruit

  • 4 cups sliced strawberries

Instructions

  1. Prepare Crunch Topping: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper for easy cleanup. In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Stir in the melted butter until all ingredients are evenly coated.
  2. Bake Crunch: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the mixture is bubbling and golden. Remove from the oven and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, break the crunchy mixture into small pieces for layering.
  3. Make Cream Cheese Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip, taking care not to deflate the whipped topping. Cover the bowl and refrigerate until you are ready to assemble the salad.
  4. Assemble and Serve: Just before serving, fold the sliced strawberries and half of the baked pretzel crunch into the cream cheese mixture. Spread or spoon the salad into a serving dish, then sprinkle the remaining pretzel crunch over the top to garnish. Serve immediately to enjoy the contrast of creamy, fruity, and crunchy textures.

Notes

  • Make sure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to ensure a smooth and creamy base.
  • The crunch topping can be baked a day ahead and stored in an airtight container to save time.
  • This salad is best served fresh to keep the crunch crunchy; leftover salad may become soggy due to moisture from strawberries.
  • For a nut-free version, omit the pecans or substitute with additional crushed pretzels.
  • If fresh strawberries are out of season, frozen strawberries (thawed and drained) can be used, but fresh is preferred for texture.

Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, dessert salad, pretzel salad, cream cheese salad, potluck salad, fruity salad dessert

Find it online: https://yumwithmia.com/strawberry-crackle-salad-recipe/