I don't remember a family pot-luck/reunion where a Jell-O salad or two wasn't there. Midwesterners know what's up. Like, why is it called salad? For those of you living outside of the Midwest and not in the 50's - have no fear, no weird things in gelatin here. Not a Jell-O fan, no worries, it's not all that jiggly. It's a nicely coated fruit in a thick sauce over a creamy base with crunchy pretzels. See? Not too shabby, eh? Maybe I'll stick to calling it salad! Raspberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad is nothing short of amazing!
Once I became an adult, I was the designated Jell-O salad-bringer to our events. I would go between two I always loved. Raspberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad was usually my #1 choice, but my dad was not a fan of raspberries. Despite my many attempts to get dad to like or try this, he just was not having it. So I would bring something the family called Boston Salad. No clue as to why it was called that. When I look it up nowadays, there are similar things out there, but nothing exactly like this one.
Are you like my dad and don't like raspberries? Swap out the raspberry Jell-O for strawberry, berry blue, or cherry Then just sub out the fruit to match. For strawberries, if you can find the sliced ones, that will be easiest. Otherwise, just let whole strawberries thaw a little just to be able to chop them up a little bit, then add them to the Jell-O. I also mention the vanilla bean paste. In my humble opinion, this is not to be missed! I love it so much. There is no Trader Joe's close to me, so I love that I can find it on Amazon.
This makes a really fast and easy dessert or potluck dish to bring and share. Kids love it too, and it's healthy-ish right? It has fruit! Ok, maybe that's a stretch. Regardless though, make this salad, pick your fruit, or come up with your own fruit/Jell-O combo and let me know what you make! I love hearing about new ways to make my favorite things!
Raspberry Jell-O Pretzel Salad
Equipment
- 1 9x13 cake pan
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups coarsely crushed pretzels see notes
- ½ cup white sugar (100g)
- ½ cup melted butter (112g)
- 8 oz cool whip (226g)
- 8 oz plain cream cheese (226g)
- ½ cup white sugar (100g)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla - bean paste if you have it!
- 6 oz package of raspberry Jell-O (170g)
- 2 cups boiling water
- 2 - 12 oz packages of frozen raspberries (680g) see notes
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Mix well and press into a 9x13 pan, making sure to bring it up the sides too! Bake in oven for 8-10 mins. Let fully cool.1.5 cups coarsely crushed pretzels, ½ cup white sugar (100g), ½ cup melted butter (112g)
- Add the cream cheese and sugar to a medium bowl, whip with a hand mixer until smooth. Add in the cool whip and vanilla, thoroughly mixing to get a creamy mixture.8 oz cool whip (226g), 8 oz plain cream cheese (226g), ½ cup white sugar (100g), 2 teaspoon vanilla - bean paste if you have it!
- Spread the cream mixture over the fully cooled pretzel crust, make sure to cover every part, don't leave any pretzel uncovered! Let sit in fridge for at least an hour to firm up.
- After it is fully set up, boil the water. In a medium bowl, add the Jell-o and slowly add the boiling water, mixing well until fully dissolved.6 oz package of raspberry Jell-O (170g), 2 cups boiling water
- This will go VERY fast, so it's important to work fast! Stir the frozen raspberries into the Jell-o and quickly pour this mixture on top of the cream layer. Place in fridge for at least an hour to fully set. This is best within 3 days.2 - 12 oz packages of frozen raspberries (680g)
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