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Strawberry Crackle Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 70 reviews

Strawberry Crackle Salad is a delightful, sweet and crunchy dessert salad featuring a buttery pretzel and pecan crumble topped with a creamy cream cheese and cool whip mixture, fresh strawberries, and an irresistible sweet and salty crunch. Perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or as a refreshing treat on warm days.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust and 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
  • 4 cups sliced strawberries

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy cleanup.
  2. Prepare Pretzel Mixture: In a medium-sized bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, chopped pecans, and brown sugar. Pour the melted butter over this mixture and stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly coated and well mixed.
  3. Bake Crunch: Spread the pretzel mixture evenly onto the lined baking sheet and bake for 8-10 minutes or until bubbling and slightly caramelized. Remove from oven and allow it to cool completely on the pan. Once cooled, break the pretzel mixture into small pieces for topping.
  4. Make Creamy Salad Base: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the cool whip until just combined to maintain the light texture. Cover this mixture and refrigerate until ready to assemble and serve.
  5. Assemble and Serve: When ready to serve, fold the sliced strawberries along with some of the cooled pretzel crunch into the chilled cream cheese mixture. Mix gently to combine. Spoon the salad into serving dishes and sprinkle with additional pretzel crunch on top for extra texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Make sure the pretzel mixture cools completely before mixing into the salad to keep the crunch intact.
  • You can substitute pecans with walnuts or almonds based on preference.
  • Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor and texture.
  • This dessert is best served chilled and eaten within 2 days for optimal freshness.
  • For a lower sugar option, reduce the granulated sugar slightly or use a sugar substitute friendly with cream cheese.

Keywords: strawberry salad, dessert salad, pretzel salad, creamy salad, sweet and salty dessert, pecan dessert

Find it online: https://topreci.com/strawberry-crackle-salad-recipe/