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Flavorful Star-Spangled Strawberry Pretzel Salad Cups

strawberry pretzel salad cups - featured image
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A quick and easy patriotic dessert featuring a crunchy salty pretzel crust, creamy cream cheese layer, and sweet strawberry topping served in individual cups.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups pretzels, finely crushed
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
  2. Crush 2 cups of pretzels into fine crumbs using a food processor or zip-top bag and rolling pin.
  3. In a bowl, combine crushed pretzels, 3/4 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup melted butter. Mix until crumbs are evenly coated and clump together when pressed.
  4. Spoon about 2 tablespoons of the pretzel mixture into each small cup. Press down firmly to create a compact crust base.
  5. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and fragrant. Let cool completely before adding layers.
  6. Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth.
  7. In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup cold heavy cream until stiff peaks form.
  8. Gently fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until combined and fluffy.
  9. In a saucepan, combine 4 cups sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp lemon juice.
  10. Cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes until thickened and syrupy. Let cool to room temperature.
  11. Spoon or pipe the cream cheese layer over the cooled pretzel crust in each cup.
  12. Top generously with the strawberry mixture.
  13. Refrigerate the assembled cups for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, to allow layers to set and flavors to meld.

Notes

Crush pretzels finely for a compact crust. Press crust firmly to avoid crumbling. Let cream cheese soften before mixing. Whip cream cold for best peaks. Cool strawberry topping before assembling to prevent melting the cream layer. Chill assembled cups overnight for best flavor and texture. Optional substitutions include vegan cream cheese and coconut cream for a vegan version, and gluten-free crackers or almond flour for gluten-free crust.

Nutrition

Keywords: strawberry dessert, pretzel crust, patriotic dessert, Fourth of July, easy dessert, creamy dessert, summer dessert

Find it online: https://elaraeats.com/flavorful-star-spangled-strawberry-pretzel-salad-cups-recipe-easy-patriotic-dessert-ideas/