Ingredients
For the Pretzel Crust
- 2 cups crushed pretzels
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
For the Creamy Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 8 ounces whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed
For the Pineapple Topping
- 1 (20-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1 (6-ounce) package pineapple gelatin
- 2 cups boiling water
Optional Garnishes
- Fresh pineapple chunks
- Mint leaves for a pop of color
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and granulated sugar. Stir until the mixture is evenly coated.
- Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to form an even crust.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from the oven and let it cool completely.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and fluffy.
- Fold in the thawed whipped topping gently to maintain its airy texture.
- Spread the creamy mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring it reaches the edges to create a seal. This prevents the gelatin layer from seeping through.
- In a large bowl, dissolve the pineapple gelatin in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until fully dissolved.
- Add the drained crushed pineapple to the gelatin mixture and stir well. Let it cool to room temperature, but do not let it set completely.
- Pour the cooled pineapple mixture over the cream cheese layer, spreading it evenly.
- Refrigerate the dish for at least 4 hours or until the gelatin is fully set.
- Once the salad is fully chilled, slice into squares or scoop with a serving spoon. Garnish with fresh pineapple chunks or mint leaves for an extra touch of elegance.
Notes
Crushing Pretzels: Place pretzels in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin for even crumbs. Avoid over-crushing to maintain some texture.
Cream Cheese Softening: Leave the cream cheese at room temperature for about 30 minutes to make mixing smoother and easier.
Gelatin Cooling: Allow the gelatin mixture to cool slightly before pouring it over the cream layer to prevent melting the creamy filling.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Pineapple Pretzel Salad, Sweet and Salty Dessert, No-Bake Dessert