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Crispy Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars

crispy strawberry pretzel salad bars - featured image
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A delightful dessert bar featuring a crunchy salty pretzel crust, a creamy cream cheese layer, and a glossy sweet strawberry topping. Perfect for gatherings or a comforting treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (about 140g) pretzels, crushed
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup (240ml) heavy whipping cream or whipped topping
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (450g) fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup (120ml) water

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
  2. Crush the pretzels finely but with some texture using a resealable bag and rolling pin or a food processor.
  3. In a mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 1/4 cup granulated sugar. Stir until evenly coated and holds together when pressed.
  4. Press the crust mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 10-12 minutes until golden brown and fragrant. Let cool completely.
  5. In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy (2-3 minutes). In another bowl, whip the heavy cream or whipped topping until stiff peaks form.
  6. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until fully combined and creamy. Spread evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
  7. In a medium saucepan, combine sliced strawberries, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and water. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and glossy (5-7 minutes). Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.
  8. Spread the cooled strawberry topping evenly over the creamy layer. Refrigerate for at least 3-4 hours or overnight to set.
  9. Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife, dipping the knife in hot water and wiping dry between cuts for clean slices.
  10. Serve chilled.

Notes

Ensure cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps in the creamy layer. Bake crust until golden and cool completely before adding layers to keep crust crispy. Chill bars overnight for best flavor and texture. For gluten-free, substitute pretzels with gluten-free pretzels or nuts. For dairy-free, use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped topping.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry pretzel salad bars, dessert bars, creamy dessert, pretzel crust, strawberry topping, easy dessert, crowd-pleaser

Find it online: https://blixfood.com/crispy-strawberry-pretzel-salad-bars-recipe-easy-homemade-creamy-layers/