Grandma’s Pretzel Jello Mold

It is tradition to get together every Christmas Eve with my husband’s family. This a is a big group as two of the families have five kids each.  As you can imagine we make hearty, fun bulk recipes for this crowd.  One year my sister-in-law made a favorite of my husband and his sister’s when they were younger, their Grandma’s Pretzel Jello Mold.  

I had never seen this before, and the combination of the salty pretzels, sweet jello and whipped cream cheese was AMAZING.  It has become a staple in my house for parties, BBQ’s, and of course Christmas Eve.  I am not near as good as my sister-in-law in making this, as if you don’t get that top layer right it can seep through to the other layers.  However, even if you mess it up, while it may not look as pretty it will still taste fabulous.

If you can’t find frozen strawberries, I have done this with raspberries and mixed berries.  In those cases I also mixed up the jello flavor a little to match my berry selection.

What You Need

2 1/4c Pretzels, crushed 

2T Powdered sugar 

3/4c Butter, melted 

8oz Cream Cheese 

1 Eggs 

1c Powdered sugar 

8oz Cool Whip 

20oz Strawberries

Grandma’s Pretzel Jello Mold Instructions

This recipe takes a little planning and time as the first layer has to cool and the second layer needs to chill enough to put the third layer on.  I even chill the third layer a little before adding to be sure it does not seep through.

Warm your oven to 350. Make sure the pretzels are crushed well.  I add to a freezer bag and let the little hands in my house either smacks with the Pampered Chef Meat Tenderizer or with the Pampered Chef Bakers Roller.  Mix pretzels, melted butter and 2 T powdered sugar together. Pat down in a 9×13 inch pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Beat cream cheese and egg together until smooth. I use my Kitchen Aid Mixer to be sure to get out any lumps.  Add cup of powdered sugar and beat again. Then fold in the Cool Whip. Chill for 15 minutes.  Sometimes I put in the fridge and forget it for a while and make dinner, etc.  I just like to be sure this layer is nice and chilled.

Mix Jello with hot water and juice from strawberries. Add strawberries and chill just slightly.  I just don’t want the heat of the water to melt into that cream cheese layer.  Pour over the cheese mixture. Chill until ready to serve.