Description
This Pineapple Pretzel Salad offers an incredible balance of flavors with its sweet cream cheese layer and crunchy pretzel base. Perfect for gatherings or a quick, enjoyable dessert, it’s a delicious treat that everyone will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- 5 cups mini pretzels, crushed
- 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar, divided
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 12 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
- 16 ounces whipped cream, such as Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 cup water, boiling
- 40 ounces crushed pineapple, in 100% juice, 2 (20-ounce) cans
- 6 ounces pineapple Jello, 2 (3-ounce) boxes
- 1 small can pineapple chunks, optional, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F.
- Prepare a 9×13 baking dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels with ½ cup of the granulated sugar and mix well.
- Stir the melted butter into the pretzel mixture until fully coated.
- Spread the pretzel mixture in the baking dish, pressing firmly to create a solid base. Use the bottom of a measuring cup for even pressure.
- Bake the pretzel crust for 10 minutes, then let it cool completely.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth with no lumps.
- Add the remaining ¾ cup of sugar and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and beat for an additional minute.
- Fold in 12 ounces of the thawed whipped cream until fully combined with the cream cheese.
- Spread the cream cheese mixture over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure to cover the edges to prevent the jello from seeping into the crust.
- Dissolve the pineapple jello in boiling water and stir until fully dissolved.
- Incorporate the drained pineapple from one can and add the second can (juice included) to the jello mixture. Mix well and chill until slightly thickened (about 20 minutes).
- Carefully pour the jello mixture over the cream cheese layer and spread evenly.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours or until the jello is completely set.
- Slice and serve with a dollop of reserved Cool Whip and optional pineapple chunks.
Notes
For added sweetness, you may adjust the sugar to taste.
Ensure the jello is cooled slightly before pouring it on top of the cream cheese layer to avoid melting it.
Optional garnishing can enhance the presentation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 40mg