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- 2 cups pretzel sticks, crushed - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 8 oz cream cheese, softened - 1 cup powdered sugar - 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip) - 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced - 1 cup strawberry jelly or preserves - 1/4 cup water These ingredients create a sweet and salty treat. The pretzel crust adds a nice crunch. The cream cheese layer is rich and creamy. Fresh strawberries give it a bright flavor. - Fresh mint leaves for garnish - Additional sliced strawberries for decoration - A splash of lemon juice for added zest These optional items can make your bars even better. Mint adds a fresh taste. More strawberries look pretty and delicious. Lemon juice brightens the flavors. - 9x13 inch baking dish - Mixing bowls - Whisk or electric mixer - Small saucepan - Plastic wrap for chilling Having the right tools makes cooking easier. A good baking dish helps with even cooking. Mixing bowls are needed for combining ingredients. A whisk or mixer saves time when blending. A saucepan is key for melting the jelly. Lastly, plastic wrap keeps your bars fresh while chilling. {{ingredient_image_1}} 1. Preheat the oven: Start by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. Make the pretzel crust: In a bowl, mix 2 cups of crushed pretzel sticks, 1/2 cup melted unsalted butter, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Stir until pretzels are coated well. 3. Press the crust: Take the pretzel mixture and press it firmly into a 9x13 inch baking dish. Make sure it is even all around. 4. Bake the crust: Place the dish in the oven and bake for about 10 minutes. This gives the crust a nice crunch. 5. Cool the crust: After baking, take the dish out and let it cool completely on the counter. 6. Make cream cheese layer: In another bowl, beat 8 oz of softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add 1 cup of powdered sugar, mixing until combined. 7. Fold in whipped topping: Gently mix in 1 tub (8 oz) of whipped topping until it is light and fluffy. 8. Spread cream cheese mixture: Once the pretzel crust is cool, spread the cream cheese mix evenly over it. 9. Prepare strawberry topping: In a small saucepan, heat 1 cup of strawberry jelly with 1/4 cup of water over medium heat. Stir until it melts and is smooth. 10. Add fresh strawberries: Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of sliced fresh strawberries. Make sure they are well coated in the jelly. 11. Top the cream cheese layer: Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer. Spread it evenly across the top. 12. Chill the dessert: Cover the dish with plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours. This helps everything set nicely. 13. Serve: Once chilled, cut into bars and enjoy! To get the best pretzel crust, crush the pretzel sticks well. Aim for small pieces, like crumbs. Mix the crushed pretzels with melted butter and sugar until they stick together. Press the mixture firmly into the baking dish. This helps the crust stay together after baking. Bake it at 350°F for about 10 minutes. This step gives it a nice crunch. Let the crust cool completely before adding any layers. The cream cheese layer adds a rich flavor. Start with softened cream cheese; this makes mixing easier. Beat it until it's smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar to avoid clumps. This will sweeten the cream cheese. Fold in the whipped topping gently. This keeps the layer light and fluffy. Spread it evenly across the cooled crust. Make sure to cover every corner for even taste. Chilling is crucial for these bars. After layering, cover the dish with plastic wrap. Let it chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. This time allows the layers to set properly. If you can, chill it overnight for the best taste. The longer it chills, the better the flavors blend. When ready to serve, cut into bars and enjoy! Pro Tips Use Fresh Strawberries: Opt for ripe, fresh strawberries for the best flavor and texture. They add a vibrant color and delicious taste to the bars. Let it Chill Properly: Ensure that you chill the bars for at least 4 hours before serving. This allows the layers to set properly and makes cutting easier. Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to substitute the strawberry jelly with other fruit preserves like raspberry or blueberry for a unique twist on the dessert. Perfect Your Presentation: For a stunning presentation, serve the bars on a decorative platter and garnish with mint leaves or extra strawberry slices. {{image_2}} You can change the fruit in these bars. Try using blueberries, raspberries, or peaches. Each fruit brings its own flavor. Blueberries add a sweet burst, while raspberries give a nice tartness. Peaches offer a juicy twist. You can mix fruits too for fun flavors. Just remember, use fresh fruit for the best taste. If you need gluten-free options, use gluten-free pretzels. Many brands make tasty gluten-free pretzels. They work just as well in the crust. You can find them in most stores. Check the label to ensure they are truly gluten-free. This way, everyone can enjoy the bars without worries. Want a lighter option? Swap cream cheese with Greek yogurt. This change makes the bars creamier and adds protein. Choose plain Greek yogurt for the best taste. Mix it with powdered sugar just like cream cheese. The result will be a delicious treat that feels a bit healthier. To keep your Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars fresh, store them in the fridge. Use an airtight container to prevent them from drying out. You can also cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap. This helps maintain the creamy texture and fruity flavor. Always label your container with the date you made them. This way, you can keep track of freshness. If you want to freeze these bars, cut them into squares first. Wrap each square tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place the wrapped squares in a freezer-safe bag. Make sure to remove as much air as possible. You can freeze them for up to three months. To enjoy, thaw them in the fridge overnight before serving. Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars last about five days in the fridge. You can tell they are fresh by looking for bright strawberries and a smooth cream cheese layer. If the strawberries start to look dull or mushy, it’s time to toss them. Always trust your senses; if something smells off, it’s better to be safe and discard it. Yes, you can make Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars ahead of time. They taste even better after chilling overnight. Just prepare them a day in advance. Store them in the fridge until you're ready to serve. This helps the flavors mix nicely. It also gives the bars a firmer texture. To get a firmer texture in your Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars, chill them longer. Aim for at least six hours in the fridge, but overnight is best. You can also add a bit more gelatin to the jelly mixture. This helps the bars hold their shape when cut. You can use fruit preserves or other fruit spreads. Raspberry or blueberry preserves work great too. If you want a healthier option, try a fruit puree mixed with a bit of sugar. This gives a fresh taste while keeping the bars sweet. Just make sure it is thick enough to coat the strawberries. This blog post covered how to make delicious Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars. We discussed key ingredients, optional items, and needed equipment. You learned easy preparation and baking steps. We shared tips for a perfect crust and the best ways to chill the bars. Variations helped you explore different fruits and gluten-free options. Finally, we provided storage info to keep your bars fresh. Remember these steps for a tasty treat you can enjoy anytime. Happy baking!

Strawberry Pretzel Paradise Bars

Delicious layered dessert with a pretzel crust, cream cheese filling, and fresh strawberries.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 30 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups pretzel sticks, crushed
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tub (8 oz) whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1 cup strawberry jelly or preserves
  • 1 cup water

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
  • In a mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until the pretzels are thoroughly coated.
  • Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for about 10 minutes, then remove and allow it to cool completely.
  • In a separate bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until well combined. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  • Once the pretzel crust has cooled, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the pretzel crust.
  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the strawberry jelly and water. Stir until melted and smooth.
  • After the jelly mixture is heated, remove it from the heat and stir in the fresh sliced strawberries until they are well coated.
  • Pour the strawberry mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
  • Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or until set. Once chilled, cut into bars and serve.

Notes

Serve the bars on a decorative platter and garnish each bar with a fresh mint leaf or additional sliced strawberries for a pop of color!
Keyword bars, dessert, pretzel, strawberry