Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly spray a 13 x 9 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a medium size mixing bowl toss together pretzels, 1/4 cup pecans and sugar with melted butter. Mix until fully moistened. Press firmly onto bottom of dish. Bake for 12 minutes or just until set. Cool completely.
In a medium size mixing bowl using an electric mixer, whip together cream cheese and powered sugar until combined. Add cream and vanilla, whipping until smooth. Fold in one 8 oz whipped topping by hand. Spread over cooled crust. Chill while making jello topping.
In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together Jell-O mix and boiling cranberry juice OR water. Stir until completely dissolved. Add cranberry sauce. Stir until combined and cranberry sauce has melted. Chill for 30 minutes.
Pour cranberry Jell-O topping evenly over cream cheese. Use a spoon to arrange cranberries evenly on top before it sets. Chill overnight to allow it to set.
Frost the top with remaining whipped topping and sprinkle with reserved 2 Tbsp pecans. Store leftovers chilled.
Notes
If you'd like to toast the pecans for garnishing, place them on a separate pan and into the oven while the crust bakes. Bake for 5 minutes or until fragrant, then cool.
You can also serve this pretzel salad plain without whipped cream and pecans on top.