Creamy Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe Easy Homemade Crunchy Twist
A sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy salad combining tangy cranberries with a salty pretzel crust and a smooth cream cheese layer. Perfect for holidays, potlucks, or casual family dinners.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups crushed pretzels (classic twisted kind)
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for crust)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces whipped topping or whipped cream
- ½ cup granulated sugar (for cream cheese layer)
- 1 (14-ounce) can jellied cranberry sauce
- Optional: extra crushed pretzels or fresh cranberries for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a medium bowl, combine 2 cups crushed pretzels, 6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar. Mix well until pretzels are evenly coated and mixture sticks together.
- Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish. Bake for about 10 minutes or until golden and fragrant. Let cool completely.
- In a large bowl, beat 8 ounces softened cream cheese with ½ cup granulated sugar until smooth and fluffy (2-3 minutes with mixer).
- Gently fold in 8 ounces whipped topping, folding slowly to keep it light and airy.
- Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust and smooth the top with a spatula.
- Spread 1 (14-ounce) can of jellied cranberry sauce gently over the cream cheese layer.
- Optionally, sprinkle crushed pretzels or fresh cranberries on top for extra texture and color.
- Chill the salad for at least 3 hours or overnight to let layers set and flavors meld.
Notes
Ensure pretzel crust is baked and cooled completely before adding creamy layer to keep crust crunchy. Fold whipped topping gently to maintain fluffiness. Chill overnight for best flavor and texture. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pretzels. Dairy-free alternatives can be used but texture may vary.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (1/12th of t
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Fiber: 1
- Protein: 3
Keywords: cranberry salad, pretzel salad, creamy salad, holiday dessert, potluck recipe, crunchy salad, easy dessert