Delightful Strawberry Crack Salad Recipe
This Delightful Strawberry Crack Salad combines a creamy, sweetened cream cheese mixture with fresh strawberries and a crunchy, caramelized pretzel and pecan topping. The salad balances creamy, sweet, tangy, and crunchy textures for a refreshing and irresistible dessert or side dish.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 9 minutes
- Total Time: 24 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cream Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz whipped topping
Crunch Topping
- 1 cup pretzels, chopped
- ½ cup pecans, chopped
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup melted butter
Fruit
- 2–3 cups strawberries, diced
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the crunch topping.
- Prepare Strawberries: Wash, dry thoroughly, and dice the strawberries into bite-sized pieces. Set them aside to keep fresh.
- Mix Crunch Topping: In a mixing bowl, combine the chopped pretzels, chopped pecans, melted butter, and brown sugar. Stir well until all pieces are evenly coated with the buttery sugar mixture.
- Bake Crunch: Spread the coated pretzel and pecan mixture evenly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and caramelized. Remove from oven and let it cool completely to firm up the crunch.
- Make Cream Cheese Base: Using a mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract together until the mixture is smooth, fluffy, and well combined.
- Fold in Whipped Topping: Gently fold the whipped topping into the cream cheese mixture to create a light, airy texture.
- Combine Salad: Carefully fold in the diced strawberries and the cooled crunch topping into the cream cheese mixture, taking care to keep some crunch intact.
- Serve Immediately: Transfer the strawberry crack salad to a serving bowl and enjoy immediately for the best texture and freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is completely softened for a smooth cream base.
- Cool the crunch topping fully so it maintains its crispiness in the salad.
- Use fresh, ripe strawberries for the best flavor.
- This salad is best served immediately to keep the crunch topping from becoming soggy.
- Variations can include adding other nuts or using gluten-free pretzels for dietary needs.
Keywords: Strawberry Crack Salad, Cream Cheese Salad, Sweet Crunch Salad, Dessert Salad, Quick Dessert
