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Creamy No-Bake Strawberry Pretzel Salad Bars

creamy no-bake strawberry pretzel salad bars - featured image
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A quick and easy no-bake dessert featuring a salty pretzel crust, creamy filling, and fresh strawberry topping, perfect for summer gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 5 ounces or 140 g)
  • 1 cup granulated sugar (200 g)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted (113 g)
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened (225 g)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups heavy whipping cream (480 ml)
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced (about 600 g)
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the crushed pretzels and granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture looks evenly moistened. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of your 9×13-inch pan, creating a compact crust layer. Bake for about 10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let it cool completely.
  2. While the crust cools, toss the sliced strawberries with sugar and lemon juice in a bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 15-20 minutes to macerate and release their juices.
  3. In a chilled bowl, beat the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat.
  4. In another large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with powdered sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped cream using a spatula, combining carefully to keep the airy texture intact.
  5. Spread the creamy filling evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Then, dollop the strawberry topping on and spread it gently across the cream layer, allowing some juices to drizzle down for a marbled effect.
  6. Cover the pan with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until the bars are firm enough to cut cleanly. For best results, chill overnight.
  7. Cut into squares and serve chilled. Let sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before cutting for cleaner slices if desired.

Notes

Press the pretzel crust firmly and bake briefly to avoid soggy bars. Chill the bowl and beaters before whipping cream for best results. Fold whipped cream gently into cream cheese mixture to keep filling light and airy. Let strawberries macerate to create a natural glaze. Bars are best chilled overnight for firm texture and flavor melding. Can substitute gluten-free pretzels for gluten-free option. Frozen strawberries can be used if thawed and drained well.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-bake dessert, strawberry pretzel salad bars, summer dessert, easy dessert, creamy dessert, pretzel crust, strawberry topping

Find it online: https://sofiaspice.com/creamy-no-bake-strawberry-pretzel-salad-bars-recipe-easy-and-perfect-for-summer/