Cranberry Pretzel Salad

This seasonal Cranberry Pretzel Salad will make a delightful addition to your holiday side dish menu. It’s not a salad at all, but a sweet and salty dessert that has delighted party goers for ages. Enjoy a taste of holiday nostalgia straight from my Southern kitchen to yours.

Easy Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

This seasonal pretzel salad is a spin off of the summer version that features strawberries. Strawberry pretzel salad like this one from Natasha’s Kitchen, have been the belle of picnic and potluck tables for eons. I couldn’t resist a seasonal variation using whole berry cranberry sauce. That’s right, this is a perfect reason to buy cranberry sauce in a can. It’s believed pretzel salads originated with the publishing of The Joys of Jell-O cookbook in the 1960’s. The intention of Brand cookbooks is often to give the home cook ideas for making dishes that feature their products. This is one such example, and all I can say is, regardless of how it originated, I’m so glad that it did. How to make simple Cranberry Pretzel Salad –

• Crust – Crushed salted pretzels, chopped pecan pieces, granulated sugar and melted butter.
• Cream Cheese Layer – Plain cream cheese, powdered sugar, heavy cream and pure vanilla extract.
• Whipped Cream – Frozen whipped topping,  thawed. Part is used for the cream cheese layer and the rest is used on top.
• Jell-O – Two boxes of cranberry or black cherry Jell-O mix.
• Liquid – Cranberry cocktail juice or water.
• Cranberries – Two cans whole berry cranberry sauce.

How to Make the Best Cranberry Pretzel Salad Recipe

Making pretzel salad isn’t difficult, it just takes a few steps to get it right.

• Ingredients you’ll need to make homemade Cranberry Pretzel Salad: Cranberry flavored Jell-O or dark cherry flavored Jell-O, whole berry cranberry sauce, cranberry cocktail juice (or water), softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, pretzels, chopped pecans, melted butter, granulated sugar and whipped topping, either Cool Whip or your favorite brand.
• Kitchen gadgets you’ll need: A 13 x 9 inch baking dish, measuring cups and spoons, nut chopper or food processor, mixing bowls. a hand mixer or a stand mixer and a large rubber spatula.
• Adding chopped pecans to the pretzels in the crust adds a fantastic nutty flavor to the base. You can omit the nuts and use all pretzels, if preferred.
• It’s important to press the crust firmly onto the dish before baking so it will hold together.
• When spreading the cream cheese layer, make sure you take it completely to the sides of the dish to prevent the Jell-O from seeping down the sides.
• To keep the layers separated when assembling, allow each one ample time to fully set-up. Meaning, allow time for the cream cheese layer to set-up as well as chill time for the cranberry Jell-O, before adding it to the top.
• The cranberry Jell-O won’t be completely congealed before pouring on top, but it should be cool. Pour it gently so as to avoid disturbing the cream cheese layer. Use a spoon to arrange and separate the berries so they’ll be in each piece before it sets.
• It’s not unusual for the pretzel crust to crumble a bit when cutting. This is normal, and part of the charm of this Cranberry Pretzel Salad.
• Just like any Jell-O salad it’s important to allow ample time for it to chill before cutting into pieces for serving.
• Store Cranberry Pretzel Salad chilled in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

More Cranberry Recipes to Make

Cranberries can be a delicious addition to both savory and sweet dishes. More recipes featuring cranberries you may also like to try:

• Dried cranberries provide a yummy texture in this Cranberry Almond Chicken Salad.
• For the holidays, Cranberry Apple Fruit Chutney or Cranberry Fluff can be served as a tasty alternative to cranberry sauce at Thanksgiving or Christmas.
• Treat the family to homemade Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls.
• Christmas Cranberry Cake will take you from brunch to dessert.
• Cranberry Muffins are the ideal side for a cup of Joe or hot tea.
• This Cranberry Pistachio Cheese Log is bound to be the hit of the party.

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Helpful Kitchen Items:

• Mixing Bowls
• Knife and Chopping Board
• Measuring Set
• Colander