Strawberry Pretzel Pie

Strawberry Pretzel Pie is a delectable dessert that combines fresh strawberries, salty pretzels, and a creamy cheesecake layer into one heavenly treat. With its perfect balance of flavors and textures, this pie is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. Whether you’re hosting a summer barbecue, a family gathering, or simply treating yourself, this recipe is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

I am a sucker for anything strawberry. I mean, they are my favorite fruit. Strawberry dessert recipes like my Strawberries Lenox Shortcake, Strawberry Rhubarb Galette, and even this Lattice Strawberry Rhubarb Pie are perfect for summer, too!

So, when I saw this Strawberry Pretzel Pie recipe in my friend Christi’s (of Love From the Oven), My Little Pony Baking Book, I just had to make it. If you like Strawberry Pretzel Salad, then you’ll love this recipe even more! And who doesn’t love dessert?

Look at how colorful this book is! I absolutely love it!
It’s full of so many incredible recipes, like this Lemon Cake with Lemon Glaze.

The History of Strawberry Pretzel Pie

Strawberry pretzel pie has a rich history and a devoted following. It first gained popularity in the southern United States, where the combination of sweet and salty flavors is highly desired. The origins of this dessert can be traced back to the 1960s when it was commonly found in “salad” form. Over the years, the recipe evolved and gained recognition as a pie, eventually earning its place as a beloved classic.

Ingredients for Strawberry Jello Pretzel Pie

Let’s break the ingredients down into three separate layers. Here’s what you’ll need:

Pretzel Pie Crust

3 cups small pretzels

4 tablespoons brown sugar

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Cheesecake Layer Filling

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon lemon zest

¼ cup granulated sugar

½ cup heavy cream

Strawberry Pie Filling

4 cups fresh strawberries, washed and cut

¼ cup sugar

½ cup water

1 tablespoon lemon juice

3 tablespoons strawberry gelatin mix

2 tablespoons corn starch

How to make this recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Pie

Again, let’s walk through this recipe one layer at a time.

Making the salty pretzel crust

Heat oven to 350°F.

In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and brown sugar. Mix until well combined.

Press the pretzel mixture into the bottom of the pie dish, forming an even layer.

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until it sets. Remove the crust from the oven and let it cool completely.

Cheesecake Layer

In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.

In a separate bowl, beat the heavy cream until you have stiff peaks, and then fold it into the cream cheese mixture.

Pour the cheesecake filling on top of the cooled pie crust, then place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to set.

Prepare the Strawberry Filling

Now that the pie is set and ready, it’s time to prepare the strawberry filling and layer it on top of the creamy filling.

In a medium saucepan, combine the sugar, water, lemon juice, gelatin mixture, and cornstarch. Bring it to a boil over medium heat and allow it to bubble for just one minute. It will thicken and will then be perfect to pour over the strawberries.

Pour the gelatin mixture over the washed and cut strawberries and gently toss to completely cover. Smells delicious, doesn’t it?

Gently place the coated strawberries over the cheesecake layer, filling in any empty spaces. The trick here is don’t let any of the white cheesecake layer show through the top!

Place the pie into the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours before serving.

Isn’t she GORGEOUS??!!

Tips and Tricks for Strawberry Pie with Pretzel Crust

To ensure your strawberry pretzel pie turns out perfectly every time, consider these helpful tips:

Cut the strawberries in various sizes. This will make sure you don’t have any empty spots on the top of your pie. Everyone has to have a lot of strawberries on their slice, right?

Crush the small pretzels by using a food processor. If you don’t have a food processor, you can place the pretzels into a large plastic freezer bag, seal the bag, and crush them with a rolling pin. Then add the crushed pretzels to a mixing bowl with the other crust ingredients. A blender will work as well.

The key to a perfect crust is to really pack it down! Use clean, greased hands or a flat-bottomed measuring cup. Press the edges and sides of the pie crust first, then press mixture down into the bottom of the pie pan.

Grease the pie pan to make it easier to remove the slices when serving.

Top with a dollop of Cool Whip, my substitute for Cool Whip- this Stabilized Whipped Cream, or fresh homemade whipped cream before serving!

How to store leftover Strawberry Pretzel Pie

Store the pie in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Note—the crust will begin to soften over time.

Can you freeze Strawberry Pie?

Yes, you can freeze this pie for up to 3 weeks! Store it tightly covered in the freezer. You can serve it right from frozen if you want, just let it thaw about ten minutes before slicing and serving. Or let it thaw in the fridge overnight before serving for a softer pie.

More Delicious Pie Recipes

You can’t go wrong with a pie, and they’re great for summer desserts, too! This No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie will cool you off in the dog days of summer. And if you don’t want to turn the oven on? Then make this No-Bake Blueberry Pie or this No-Bake Nutella Snickers Pie! Everyone will love all of them!

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This post was originally published July 11, 2019. It has been updated in format and with pictures on May 3, 2024.

I knew when I opened her My Little Pony Baking Book and saw Christi’s recipe for Strawberry Pretzel Pie that I just knew it was the recipe I had to make.
This book is one of the most beautiful cookbooks I have in my collection. Besides the fact that she’s got so many delicious baking recipes, each item is accompanied by gorgeous and colorful pictures.

This book needs to be in every baker’s kitchen. These recipes are near and dear to Christi’s heart because they are all of her family favorites and they’re all in this beautiful book.

It will make a great gift for those My Little Pony lovers in your life, grandchildren, grandmother’s, mom or anyone who loves to bake.

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