Description
Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful blend of sweet and crunchy textures featuring a creamy cream cheese and Cool Whip base, fresh sliced strawberries, and a deliciously baked pretzel and pecan topping. This no-bake dessert salad delivers a perfect balance of tartness and sweetness with a satisfying crunch, ideal for potlucks, family gatherings, or a refreshing treat any time.
Ingredients
Scale
Crumble Topping
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup butter, melted
Salad Base
- 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 and Bake the Topping: Preheat your oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Stir in melted butter until the mixture is well combined. Spread this mixture evenly onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 8 to 10 minutes until bubbling and golden. Remove from oven and let it cool completely, then break into small pieces for topping.
- Make the Cream Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract together until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the Cool Whip until fully incorporated and smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to assemble the salad.
- Assemble the Salad: Just before serving, fold the sliced strawberries and half of the pretzel crunch topping into the chilled cream cheese mixture, blending gently to combine. Transfer the mixture to a serving dish and sprinkle the remaining pretzel crunch over the top for added texture and presentation. Serve immediately to maintain the crunchy topping.
Notes
- Serve immediately after adding the pretzel topping to enjoy the crunch at its best.
- You can prepare the crumble topping and the cream cheese mixture ahead of time and store them separately in the refrigerator until ready to assemble.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
- For a nut-free version, omit pecans and increase crushed pretzels accordingly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Strawberry Crackle Salad, dessert salad, pretzel salad, cream cheese salad, sweet salad, potluck dessert, no bake dessert
