Strawberries, dairy, and the word salad… this must be healthy, right? Yep, I actually served it to my kids as a side one night when we had steak. I had planned on this being dessert. Baked sweet potatoes were supposed to be the side. But, I was a few days late in using up the sweet potatoes. So, I told the kids we were having steak and strawberry pretzel salad! They were a bit surprised since they haven’t been able to have jello for several years due to being allergic to artificial food color. Not only was I able to find dye-free jello, but I used gluten-free pretzels so Tasha could enjoy it too! Since I’ve pinned many a recipe of this concoction, I was excited to finally make it as part of the Pinterest Challenge this month.
Salad?
My kids wanted to know what made this a salad instead of a dessert. I didn’t know but I have vivid childhood memories of my aunts, grandmothers, and great aunts bringing jello salads out with the meal.
Put a fruit or a vegetable with jello and it’s instantly a salad?
Apparently, post World War II saw a boom in jello creations. This article was really fun to learn more about it.
I know there were tons of crazy jello recipes, including one that had lamb chops in it! Eeeewwwwww…… But I always loved Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Cheesecakey and strawberry yumminess over a pretzel crust.
Turns out the kids love it too! I’ve actually made this several times since.
The inspiration for making a version of this salad my family could enjoy came from putting together several yummy strawberry recipes. Particularly Strawberry Delight from Hillary at Embellishments.
Gluten-Free Dye-Free Strawberry Pretzel Salad
Thanks to Aldi, we’re able to find affordable gluten-free options for Tasha, like the pretzels. Frankly, I don’t really care for pretzels but I do like the gluten-free ones! Strawberry jello at Aldi is also colored naturally instead of with red-40, which my kids are allergic to.
Hillary’s recipe calls for dream whip. I don’t know what that actually is but cool-whip is an option. Even better than cool whip? Real whipped cream!
Save RecipeIngredients
- "!Crust:"
- 1/2 of an 8-oz bag of gluten-free pretzles
- 1/2 cup of butter, melted
- "!Filling:"
- 1 8-oz package of cream cheese softened
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- "!Topping:"
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries, sliced
- 1 package of strawberry jello
- Preheat the oven to 350. Finely chop the pretzels using a food processor (or blender). Mix the pretzels with the melted butter and press into an 8x8 pan. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Let cool
- Whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Blend in the softened cream cheese and sugar. Blend until smooth. Spread the cheese filling over the pretzel crust.
- Make jello according to the soft set instructions on the package. Stir in strawberries. Let sit for 5 minutes or until ice has melted. Stir again and pour over the filling layer.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Keep refrigerated until ready to serve or leftovers.
Calories
Fat
Carbs
Protein
I’ve learned to just double this recipe from the start. I did make it for JuneBug’s friends and found my whole family prefers the gluten-free pretzels over regular ones.
Pinterest Challenge Blog Hop
To join next month’s #pinterestchallenge, click here to sign-up ⇒ August Pinterest Challenge.
Now let’s see what other things Pinterest inspired! Head over and visit the other hosts to see what they crafted, cooked, built, or tried!
Erlene – My Pinterventures • Jenny – Cookies Coffee and Crafts
Debbee – Debbee’s Buzz • Laurie – My Husband Has Too Many Hobbies
Bri – Halfpint Design • Julie – Sum of their Stories
Lisa – Blogghetti • T’onna – Sew Crafty Crochet
Beverly – Across the Boulevard • Debra – Shoppe No. 5
Roseann – This Autoimmune Life • Terri – Our Good Life
Chelc – Inside The Fox Den • Cherryl – Farm Girl Reformed
Leslie – Once Upon a Time & Happily Ever After • Katrin – Kreativ K
Kelley – Simply Inspired Meals • Joanne – Our Unschooling Journey
Toni – Small Home Soul • Gail – Purple Hues and Me
Rebecca – Hello Central Avenue • Gwen – Geez, Gwen!
Marie – DIY Adulation • Habiba – Craftify My Love
Kristie – Teadoddles • Marie – The Inspiration Vault
Lydia – Lydia’s Flexitarian Kitchen • Maria – Simple Nature Decor
Michelle – Our Crafty Mom • Emily – Domestic Deadline
Alexandra – Eye Love Knots
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