Description

Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful layered dessert featuring a crunchy pretzel and pecan topping baked to perfection, combined with a creamy sweetened cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture, and fresh sliced strawberries for a refreshing, sweet, and tangy treat. This no-bake salad is perfect for quick gatherings and potlucks, offering a perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and fruity textures.

Ingredients

Scale

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
3/4 cup granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
16 oz Cool Whip

Fruit

4 cups sliced strawberries

Instructions

Prepare the Pretzel Topping: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Pour in melted butter and mix until all ingredients are evenly coated.
Bake the Crunch: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes until the mixture is bubbly and fragrant. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely. Once cooled, break into small, crunchy pieces.
Make the Creamy Filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully combined and light.
Assemble the Salad: Cover the cream cheese mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, fold the sliced strawberries and half of the pretzel topping into the cream cheese mixture to maintain crunch and flavor throughout.
Serve and Garnish: Transfer the salad to a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining pretzel topping on top for extra texture. Serve immediately to enjoy the perfect contrast of creamy and crunchy textures.

Notes

For maximum crunch, serve the salad immediately after adding the pretzel topping.
You can prepare each component ahead of time and store them separately: bake the pretzel topping, chill the cream cheese filling, and slice the strawberries; then combine just before serving.
To keep the topping crunchy longer, avoid mixing it in too early or keep part of it reserved for garnish.
Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.

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

Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, pretzel salad, creamy dessert, no-bake dessert, potluck recipe, easy strawberry recipe