Berry Patriotic Jello Pretzel Salad made with layers of strawberry jello, fresh berries, whipped cream cheese & a sweet and salty pretzel crust. Lovely salad topped with a fresh berry flag on top, perfect for 4th of July!
We love a good pretzel jello salad in our family and this one is a huge hit during the summer. I love that the flag decoration on top is made easily with some fresh berries. I am not an artist, ha! But this one is super simple; even my kids managed it. It’s great for potlucks and I love that I can easily swap out a different flavor of jello, or use more strawberries and less raspberries, etc. Use what you have on hand!
Highlights of this Jello Salad recipe
- Make it ahead of time: You can make this dessert ahead of time which can come in handy due to the time needed for the jello to set. If making ahead, I would make it no more than one day in advance to ensure the freshest quality.
- Versatile ingredients: For a lighter, slightly healthier version of this berry pretzel salad, try using sugar-free jello, low fat cool whip, and/or low fat cream cheese. Enjoy this dish without any guilt!
- Great for summer parties: You’ll enjoy the bright, colorful layers that make this salad perfect for patriotic gatherings such as 4th of July or Memorial Day. The red, white, and blue colors come from fresh berries and strawberry jello, creating a fun, festive look!
Red, White & Blue Berry Jell-O Salad Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
Pretzels: You’ll need 2 ½ cups of pretzels for the crunchy base of this jello salad.
Sugar: Give the crust a subtle sweet with ¼ cup of granulated sugar.
Butter: Coat the pretzels with ½ cup of butter before baking.
Jello Layer
Jello: Use 6-oz of strawberry jello (or any red jello) for a patriotic dessert.
Water: You’ll need 2 cups of water, boiling, to dissolve the Jello in.
Cream cheese: An 8-oz package of cream cheese, softened, creates a creamy layer in this salad.
Sugar: Add ½ cup of granulated sugar to the cream cheese for a slightly sweet taste.
Whipped topping: Mix 16-oz of whipped topping into the cream cheese for a light, fluffy layer.
Berries: Use 3 cups of sliced strawberries, 2 cups of raspberries, and 2 cups of blueberries (all divided).
Tips for making Patriotic Berry Jell-O Salad
Full instructions in the recipe card below, but here are a few tips for making the process easier.
- Pretzels: Using the thinner varieties like mini pretzel twists or sticks yield the best results and are easier to crush than thicker varieties like rods. Also, make sure to not over-crush them. Having a coarser crush creates the right amount of crunchy texture and salty pretzel flavor for the crust.
- Berries: You can substitute the fresh berries with frozen for the jello layer if you’d like, however, I do not recommend using frozen berries for the very top as they will not look as appealing when thawed and will produce excess liquid when thawed.
- Berries for topping: The amount of berries you will need for the topping will vary depending on the size of the berries you’re using.
How long is this Jello fruit salad good for?
Store leftover pretzel jello salad covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep refrigerated as long as possible before serving. Due to the dairy in the cream cheese and whipped topping, do not leave out for more than 4 hours.
It is not recommended to freeze this pretzel salad as the cream cheese layer may separate after thawing, and the berries may produce excess liquid once thawed.
Berry Patriotic Jello Pretzel Salad Recipe
Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- 2 ½ cups pretzels
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup butter
Jello Layer
- 6 oz strawberry jello or any red jello
- 2 cups water boiling
Sweet Cream Cheese Layer
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 16 oz whipped topping
Fresh Berry Topping
- 3 cups sliced strawberries divided
- 2 cups raspberries divided
- 2 cups blueberries divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray a 9×13 baking dish with non stick spray and set aside.
- Place the pretzels in a large ziplock bag, and use a rolling pin to coarsely crush the pretzels. (Make sure not to finely crush them!)
- Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over med-low heat and stir in the sugar. Stir in the crushed pretzels until combined. Spread pretzel mixture evenly onto the bottom of a 9×13 pan or baking dish. Place in oven and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool to room temp.
- Meanwhile, bring 2 cups of water to a full boil using the stovetop or microwave. Stir in the jello and whisk until completely dissolved. Set aside to cool to room temp.
- While jello is cooling, combine the softened cream cheese and ½ cup sugar in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric hand mixer, beat until creamy and smooth. Fold in 1 tub (8oz) of whipped topping until fluffy and no visible streaks of cream cheese remain.
- Spread cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Make sure to go all the way to the edges of the pan, sealing any gaps. (This is to prevent the jello layer from seeping down into the crust.) Top with 1 cup sliced strawberries, 1 cup blueberries, and 1 cup raspberries. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- Pour the jello/berry mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until jello is completely set.
- Spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the jello layer. Use the remaining berries to create the “flag” design on top. In the top left corner, create a square using the blueberries. Create the red stripes with the raspberries and strawberries by lining them up in a row, alternating. Have fun and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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What alternate fruit can be used in this recipe but still stay patriotic as well?
You can substitute cherries for raspberries or use blackberries instead of blueberries. These fruits maintain the red, white, and blue color scheme.
What kind of cream cheese works best for this recipe?
Regular, low-fat, or even non-fat will all work. Just be sure it’s fully softened so it blends smoothly with the other topping ingredients.
What other red Jello flavors can I use in this recipe?
Try cherry, raspberry, or watermelon Jello as alternatives to strawberry. Each will add a slightly different flavor but keep the red color.
How do you serve strawberry pretzel salad for a gathering?
Use a clear glass bowl to showcase the layers. Chill it completely before serving to help it hold shape. Serve with a large spoon to scoop each layer evenly.
Love Jello? So do we! Try more of our favorite Jello salads here:
- Try a couple of our most popular Jello dessert recipes, this Raspberry Jello Poke Cake and No-Bake Strawberry Jello Cheesecake are incredibly delicious and easy to make too!
- This Blueberry Jello Salad can be served as a side or dessert, no matter the time it’s a flavorful dish that is sure to impress! It’s a summertime favorite and perfect for your 4th of July celebration.
- Our Creamy Raspberry Jello and Creamy Lemon Jello are both made with only 3 ingredients! Simple recipes with flavorful results, yum!
- For the citrus lovers out there, this Orange Jello Salad is for you! Loaded with amazing flavor and texture, it’s a delightful dish your whole family will enjoy.
- Made with only 4 simple ingredients, this Raspberry Vanilla Jello Salad is always a favorite at potlucks!
Berry Patriotic Jello Pretzel Salad is a refreshing dessert that’s perfect for patriotic gatherings. The red, white, and blue colors come from fresh berries and strawberry jello, create a festive look!
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