Prepare to fall in love with the most irresistible dessert that will make your taste buds dance with delight! The Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad is not just a dessert – it's a culinary masterpiece that perfectly balances sweet, salty, creamy, and fruity flavors in every single bite. This classic American treat is about to become your new obsession, combining the unexpected crunch of pretzels with luscious raspberry gelatin and a cloud-like cream cheese layer that will have everyone begging for your recipe.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: -
Total Time: 2 hrs 15 mins
Cuisine: American
Serves: 12 servings
Ingredients
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 container (8 oz) whipped topping
- 1 package (6 oz) raspberry gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 cups fresh raspberries
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 1/4 cup sugar. Mix thoroughly until well combined and crumbly.
- Press the pretzel mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9x13 inch baking dish, creating a firm, compact crust.
- Bake the pretzel crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool completely to room temperature.
- In a separate large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and 1 cup sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture until fully incorporated and uniform.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring complete coverage. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to set.
- In another bowl, dissolve raspberry gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water, stirring until completely dissolved.
- Add fresh raspberries to the dissolved gelatin and gently stir to distribute.
- Carefully pour the raspberry gelatin mixture over the cream cheese layer, ensuring an even distribution.
- Refrigerate the dessert for 1-2 hours or until the gelatin is completely set and firm.
- Before serving, let the dessert sit at room temperature for 10 minutes to make cutting easier.
- Cut into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy your Raspberry Pretzel Jello Salad!
Tips
- Crush pretzels to a consistent, medium-fine texture for the best crust – not too fine, not too chunky.
- Make sure the pretzel crust is completely cooled before adding the cream cheese layer to prevent melting.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother mixing and fewer lumps.
- When adding the raspberry gelatin, let it cool slightly before pouring to prevent melting the cream cheese layer.
- For the prettiest presentation, use fresh, ripe raspberries at the peak of their season.
- Chill the dessert for the full recommended time to ensure perfect layering and set gelatin.
- For easier serving, run your knife under hot water before cutting to create clean, neat squares.
- This dessert is best served chilled and can be prepared a day in advance, making it perfect for potlucks and parties!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 380kcal
Carbohydrates: 52g
Protein: 4g
Fat: 19g
Saturated Fat: 11g
Cholesterol: 50mg
