After experimenting with about 32 different variations, I’ve finally ~mastered~ my strawberry pretzel salad recipe and have it included below for your printing pleasure.
TIP: Thin pretzels work best for crushing. I use my NutriBullet to pulse to near-crumbs, since that helps the crushed pretzels pack better when mixed with butter for a more solid crust.
TIP: Beat your cream cheese first to fluffiness before folding in your whipped topping! Then, beat again until your final mixture is as fluffy and clump-free as possible.
TIP: Add the whipped cream cheese layer once the pretzel crust is cooled – you don’t want it to melt at all! I use a bigger spatula to evenly plop down the mixture before using the back of a spoon to lightly spread the layer.
TIP: Put the frozen berries in AFTER the JELL-O has been removed from heat (their purpose is to help set the JELL-O, the way that ice might otherwise in making plain gelatin, so make sure heat is turned off when it’s time to add the strawberries!).