My Grandma has been serving strawberry jello pretzel salad at Christmas dinner ever since I was a little girl and it’s one of the most requested dishes each year. The traditional recipe is made with cool whip, loads of white sugar and of course, a packet of jello. Last year while having a plate-full at my Grandma’s house, I decided I was going to figure out a way to re-vamp the recipe to use all organic ingredients. The jello was the most difficult for me. I laughed at myself as I made 8 or so batches one afternoon until I got just the right consistency. Don’t as me why, but I’ve always had a problem cooking with gelatin. The end result was worth all of the trouble though. The salad has a sweet-salty crust, a smooth sweetened layer of cream cheese and homemade jello with strawberries to top it all off. It’s a plate of gooey yumminess. Who could resist?
And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth…
Strawberry Jello Pretzel Salad
Serves 8-10
2 3/4 cups crushed pretzels (I like use spelt
1 1/4 cups melted butter
3 tablespoons organic whole cane sugar or sucanat (to read more click here)
12 ounces cream cheese, preferably cultured (I like this brand)
1 cup maple syrup
1 1/2 cups sour cream, preferrably cultured (I like this brand)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 cups whipped cream10 ounces frozen strawberries, thawed and chopped
1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons gelatin (I prefer this
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix crushed pretzels, melted butter and whole cane sugar together in a large bowl. Press into bottom of a 13×9 baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes. Let cool completely.
Cream cream cheese, maple syrup, sour cream, and vanilla together. Fold in whipped cream. Spread 2/3 of mixture on cooled pretzel layer.
Sprinkle gelatin over 1 cup pomegranate juice, and let sit for 5 minutes. Pour remaining 1/2 cup pomagranate juice and orange juice into a saucepan and heat until 100 degrees (it is very important that the juice does not get too hot or it will kill the gelatin). Pour heated juice into gelatin mixture and stir until gelatin has dissolved. Add strawberries, cover and place in the refrigerator for about 1 hour until just beginning to set. When gelatin is just beginning to set, pour it over the cream cheese mixture to create a third layer. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Before serving top with remaining cream cheese mixture and sprinkle with pecans.
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I rave about myself every night at the dinner table, “Honey, can you believe I made this??” And it’s all thanks to you!! (and teaching me that organic butter is welcomed and embraced! No more fat free, yay!!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
Everything looks wonderful!Merry ChristmasCarl
Hi, Coming to you by way of SITS. Great pictures of some great food. Can't wait to try one. thanks for letting me visit.
That sounds really delicious! Visiting from SITS to say happy Christmas
Thank you, thank you! This is a favorite in my extended family too, but I'm trying to get away from processed foods. Definitely bookmarking this!
You dont have a link on the "I like this version of gelatin" – Can you post or update what that brand of gelatin is that you like, please? Thank you.
Thanks for figuring all this out. pretzel jello has been a Holiday family favorite for years, but now that I have embarked on a new way of eating, it is great to know that there is a healthy alternative out there.
Thank you!! I just whipped this up tonight and cannot wait to try or tomorrow!!