Raspberry jello pretzel salad is made with a cream cheese and Cool Whip mixture on a pretzel crust layered with raspberry Jello. It’s a sweet and salty classic dessert salad!
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Raspberry Pretzel Salad
Raspberries, cream cheese, Cool Whip and pretzels. WOW! This raspberry pretzel salad is so delicious and perfect for a Christmas dinner or Thanksgiving menu. The pretzels add a sweet and salty combo that makes this holiday dessert simply irresistible.
When my mom announced, “The salad is on the table” at our holiday dinner, we definitely were not expecting a raspberry jello pretzel salad. It’s made with 3 layers: a salty crushed pretzel crust, a sweet cream cheese filling and a raspberry jello topping.
Recipe Ingredients
Simple ingredients for the best raspberry pretzel jello salad! Each ingredient makes this a sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy combination in every bite.
Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.
- Pretzels: The salty pretzel crust gives the salad a really nice crunch from the crushed pretzels.
- Butter: This holds the crust together during baking and adds a nice nutty flavor.
- Sugar: I use granulated sugar in the crust (hello salty AND sweet) and in the cream cheese layer to help balance the tanginess.
- Cream cheese: This adds a smooth texture to the salad, as well as a nice bite to the sweetness of the jello.
- Cool Whip: Mixing homemade Cool Whip or store bought frozen topping with cream cheese makes a silky smooth layer that combines tangy and sweet.
- Jello: Raspberry jell-o is really the star of the dish and brings all the flavors.
- Frozen raspberries: Adding some frozen fruit not only makes the salad really pretty, but it gives a nice texture and added punch of flavor.
How to Make Raspberry Pretzel Salad
Pulse pretzels in a food processor or blender until crushed. Stir in melted butter and sugar until combined. Press pretzel mixture into a buttered 9×13-inch baking dish, then bake at 400°F for about 10 minutes. Pace the pan in the refrigerator to chill for about 30 minutes.
Beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer, then beat in the sugar. Next fold the cool whip into the mixture.
Spread whipped cream cheese filling on top of the crust (make sure to go all the way to the edges so the 3rd jello layer doesn’t leak through). Place in the fridge for about an hour.
Boil the water with the raspberry jello and stir for about 2 minutes, until the sugar has dissolved. Then mix in the frozen raspberries. Let the mixture slightly thicken, then pour evenly over the cream cheese filling. Then place in the refrigerator for about 2 hours to set completely before slicing.
Tips and Variations
- Use strawberry jello and frozen sliced strawberries for a strawberry pretzel salad.
- Use orange jello and canned mandarin oranges (pre freeze them), similar to my mandarin orange pretzel parfaits.
- Plan ahead when making this raspberry pretzel jello salad recipe. Each layer of the dessert salad needs time to set.
- Remember to soften the cream cheese at room temperature before getting started.
- Use a blender or food processor to crush the pretzels into fine crumbs.
- Make sure to go all the way to the edges with each layer (especially the cream layer) to prevent the jello from leaking through.
- Allow jello to cool and thicken slightly before pouring on cream cheese layer.
More dessert salad recipes to try include easy ambrosia salad, raspberry Jello fluff and Hawaiian fruit salad!
More Dessert Salads You’ll Love
Raspberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Video
Ingredients
Layer 1
- 6-7 cups pretzels
- ¾ cup (12 Tablespoons) salted butter , melted
- 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
Layer 2
- 12 ounces cream cheese , softened
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 (8-ounce) container cool whip , softened
Layer 3
- 2 cups water
- 2 (3-ounce) boxes raspberry jello
- 2 cups frozen raspberries
Instructions
- Prep. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Butter a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
Layer 1
- Make pretzel crust. In a food processor or blender, pulse 6-7 cups pretzels until finely crumbled (about 1 3/4 cups crumbs). Stir in 3/4 cup butter and 3 Tablespoons sugar until combined. Press evenly into baking dish. Bake 8 to 10 minutes. Chill 30 minutes, or until cool.
Layer 2
- Make cream cheese layer. In a medium bowl, beat 12 ounces cream cheese with an electric mixer. Add 3/4 cup sugar until combined. Mix in 8 ounces Cool Whip.
- Add on top pretzel layer. Drop by spoonful (about 8) over the top of the chilled crust. Carefully spread in an even layer, being sure to go all the way to the edges so the jello mixture doesn’t leak through. You can use your finger with a paper towel to run along the edges to make clean lines. Chill 1 hour, or until set.
Layer 3
- Make raspberry jello. In a small saucepan, boil 2 cups water and 2 – 3 ounces boxes of jello over medium-high heat. Stir 2 minutes, or until the mixture is dissolved. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 cups raspberries. Let sit 5 to 10 minutes, until thickened slightly. Once the pot is cool enough to handle, I like to put it in the refrigerator 10 to 15 minutes more.
- Add on top cream cheese layer. When thickened slightly, pour evenly over the of cream cheese mixture and chill at least 2 hours, or until jello is firm (I like to leave it overnight).
- Chill, slice and serve. Once the dessert is firm, slice and serve.
Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.
Notes
- Strawberry: Use strawberry jello and frozen sliced strawberries.
- Pineapple: Use pineapple jello and frozen crushed pineapple or frozen strawberries.
- Mandarin: Use orange jello and canned mandarin oranges (pre-freeze them).
- Peach: Use peach jello and frozen sliced peaches.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Recipe FAQs
I don’t see why not. You will need to replace the pretzels for a gluten-free version, but it should work just as well.
This jello pretzel dessert needs time to set in the fridge, which makes it a great recipe to prepare ahead of time. You can make it up to 1 day in advance, however I wouldn’t prepare it any sooner or else the pretzel crust could get a little soggy.
Any leftovers can be stored covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Just keep in mind that the pretzels will soften the longer they sit.
I would love to say yes, but honestly the pretzels tend to get soggy and it doesn’t hold up as well once it’s been frozen. I wouldn’t advise trying it.
Debbie Dobson
Can I substitute freeze jam for fresh fruit?
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Hi Debbie, that has not been tested but let us know if you try.
Rhonda
Delicious! I make this Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, birthdays etc. So very good.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So happy to hear that it is a holiday favorite.
Barbara Crouch
I’ve made this a lot for family and church dinners!! It’s always a big hit!!!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
So glad to hear that the raspberry jello pretzel salad is a hit!
S
Must have holiday menu item.
Jamielyn Nye
I agree! So glad you enjoyed the raspberry pretzel salad!
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
Agreed! Everyone always requests the raspberry jello pretzel salad in our house, too!
Kathiegreeno@yahoo.com
I have another version that also contains crushed pineapple. Is one better than the other?
I Heart Naptime Community
Hi Kathie! That sounds yummy! I haven’t had the pineapple version, but I think it is just preference on which you prefer :)
Talia
Family favorite!!! We make this for every holiday. It’s always a family request.
Sarah @IHeartNaptime
It’s so good! Thanks for the review!
Natalia Gardner
This jello has become a thanksgiving and Christmas tradition. It is out of this world delicious! I’d rather just eat this than any pie. Thank you for this recipe that will be used for years to come! :)
Sarah
One of our family favorites! I use gluten free pretzels and it works perfectly.
Abby
I love everything about this dessert! The sweet and salty combination is heavenly and is so easy to make. Can’t wait to make it again.
Jamielyn Nye
It does have the perfect sweet and salty combo!
Hannah B
We LOVED this! It’s the perfect sweet and salty dessert. Loved it!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad your family enjoyed it. Thanks for your review Hannah!
jess
ive tried this recipe before with strawberries, but I like raspberries so much more. this is the best recipe I have ever tried! thank you for sharing
Jamielyn Nye
We love the raspberries too! A family favorite!
Dewik
This is an absolute favorite for all of the holidays! So good!
Sunnie @ I Heart Naptime
The red is very festive. Hope this comes in handy for parties this season!
Karen
I made the raspberry version for Easter and added one additional twist – a jar of melted and cooled red raspberry jam on top of the first layer. Delicious!
I Heart Naptime
That sounds delicious! So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)
Catherine Lueneburg
For the raspberries…do you drain the juice?
Jamielyn Nye
I mix them in frozen, so they shouldn’t have any juice :)
Bobette Morgan
Decadence!! I have made this as a Christmas dessert for years. This year made it with cherry Jello. After the dessert set over nite, I melted a king size special dark chocolate candy bar.Then used a sandwich bag for piping the melted chocolate on the dessert in an art deco fashion. Spectacular!!
I Heart Naptime
That sounds amazing!!!
Ann
I had this at Thanksgiving for the 1st time and swore it would be a staple in my household. So, so, so delicious!!! Looking forward to trying the different variations. The pineapple and strawberries… I say “yes, please”!
Jamielyn Nye
So glad you enjoyed the recipe :)
Darcy Hoskins
💗 This is such a yummy dish that is so easy to put together!
I Heart Naptime
So glad you enjoyed it, Darcy :)