Description
Sweet and salty Lemon Pretzel Dessert featuring a pretzel crust, creamy filling, and refreshing lemon Jell-O topping. A crowd-pleasing treat!
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups crushed pretzels (about 8 ounces)
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks) unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 8 ounces frozen whipped topping, thawed (like Cool Whip)
- 1 (6-ounce) package lemon flavored Jell-O
- 2 cups boiling water
- 1 ½ cups cold water
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries (optional, for garnish)
- Lemon slices (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Prepare the Pretzel Crust: Crush pretzels. Combine crushed pretzels, melted butter, and sugar in a bowl. Mix well. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake the Crust: Bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden brown. Let cool completely.
- Make the Cream Cheese Filling: Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar and beat until combined. Stir in vanilla extract. Gently fold in thawed whipped topping.
- Assemble the Dessert: Spread cream cheese filling evenly over the cooled pretzel crust. Refrigerate while preparing the Jell-O.
- Prepare the Lemon Jell-O Topping: Dissolve lemon Jell-O in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Let cool slightly.
- Pour and Chill: Carefully pour the cooled Jell-O mixture over the cream cheese filling. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the Jell-O to set completely.
- Serve: Garnish with raspberries and lemon slices, if desired. Cut into squares and serve cold.
Notes
- Pretzel Type: Traditional pretzel sticks are preferred, but snaps or gluten-free pretzels can be used. Adjust butter if needed.
- Sugar Adjustment: Reduce sugar in the cream cheese filling by ¼ cup for a less sweet dessert.
- Flavor Variations: Experiment with different Jell-O flavors (strawberry, lime, orange). Add a layer of fresh fruit between the cream cheese filling and Jell-O.
- Whipped Topping Substitute: Use homemade whipped cream (heavy cream, sugar, vanilla) instead of store-bought.
- Make Ahead: Prepare up to 2 days in advance. Garnish just before serving.
- Freezing: Freezing is possible, but texture may change. Wrap tightly before freezing and thaw in the refrigerator overnight.
- Crust Thickness: Increase pretzels and butter for a thicker crust. Adjust baking time accordingly.
- Crust is too crumbly: Use enough butter and press firmly. Add more melted butter if needed.
- Cream cheese filling is lumpy: Ensure cream cheese is fully softened. Beat longer with an electric mixer.
- Jell-O is not setting: Use correct water amounts and refrigerate sufficiently. Add unflavored gelatin if needed.
- Jell-O is melting the cream cheese filling: Cool Jell-O before pouring. Chill cream cheese filling longer.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes