Description

Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful layered dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel and pecan topping baked to golden perfection, creamy sweetened cream cheese blended with Cool Whip, and fresh sliced strawberries. This easy-to-make salad combines textures and flavors, creating a perfect treat for gatherings or a refreshing sweet snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and Topping

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

Filling

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
¾ cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
16 oz Cool Whip

Fruit

4 cups sliced strawberries

Instructions

Preheat and Prepare Baking Sheet: Preheat your oven to 400°F (205°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This prevents sticking and facilitates easy cleanup.
Mix Pretzel Topping: In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Pour melted butter over the mixture and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated and well combined.
Bake Pretzel Mixture: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake it in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes or until the mixture is bubbling and golden brown. Remove it from the oven and let it cool completely on the baking sheet. Once cooled, break into small pieces.
Prepare Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until just combined. Cover and refrigerate this mixture until you are ready to assemble and serve.
Assemble the Salad: Just before serving, spread the cream cheese mixture evenly in a serving dish or bowl. Layer the sliced strawberries on top, then sprinkle the cooled pretzel crunch mixture over the strawberries. Optionally, you can mix some pretzel crunch into the cream layer or reserve extra pretzel topping for garnish.

Notes

Ensure the pretzel mixture cools completely before breaking it to avoid clumping or becoming soggy in the salad.
You can substitute pecans with walnuts if preferred or for a different nutty flavor.
For a dairy-free version, use dairy-free cream cheese and whipped topping alternatives.
This salad is best served chilled and consumed within 1-2 days for optimal freshness.
Mixing some pretzel crunch into the cream cheese layer adds extra texture and flavor throughout the dessert.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, pretzel crust dessert, creamy strawberry salad, easy layered dessert, no-bake salad with baking topping