Remember that strawberry pretzel salad your aunt used to make—the one that showed up at every church potluck wearing its Cool Whip crown like it was royalty? This Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie is her slightly flashier cousin. We’re talkin’ a salty-buttery pretzel crust and a rich strawberry cream cheese layer. It’s no-bake, no-fuss, and guaranteed to make someone ask for the recipe before their fork hits the empty plate. Basically, it’s summer in a pie plate with attitude.
Table of Contents
🎧 Prefer to listen?
Listen to the Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie recipe, tips, and how-to's. Then sit back and get ready for a quick visit to the fictional town of Picklefork, Texas, where my childhood memories come to life. Just click the arrow to get started.
🗝️ Key takeaways
- Sweet, Salty & Creamy. A crunchy pretzel crust meets a rich cream cheese filling swirled with juicy strawberries. Every bite hits that sweet-salty spot just right.
- No-Bake & Summer Ready. This pie chills in the fridge or freezer instead of heating up your kitchen, making it a perfect low-effort dessert for warm weather and last-minute backyard cookouts.
- Retro Classic, Reimagined. Inspired by vintage strawberry pretzel salad, this version stirs strawberry jello and fresh berries right into the cream cheese filling for a creamy, fruit-filled pie with all the nostalgic flavor.
🧾 Ingredients & variations
This is best with fresh, ripe strawberries but you *can* use frozen. Make sure they are thawed and drained really well or your pie won't set up.
I like a light brown sugar in this pie crust. I feel like dark brown overpowers the pretzels but you can use it if you prefer.
And, make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature! This is very important for a smooth, creamy filling.
While we prefer the salty-sweet combo of using a pretzel crust you could make this with a graham cracker crust.
🔪 How to make Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie
Add boiling water to Jello.
Mix cream cheese, cream, sugar, & Jello.
Fold in berries and spoon into crust.
Chill. Top with Cool Whip before serving.
Be sure to download the free Strawberry Pretzel Pie Kitchen Cheat Sheet with tips, faqs, storage, and more.
📖 Recipe
Strawberry Pretzel Icebox Pie
Print Pin Recipe Save Recipe Rate RecipeIngredients
Crust
- 2 cups finely ground pretzel crumbs
- ¾ cup butter, melted
- ½ cup light brown sugar
Strawberry filling
- 2 tablespoons boiling water
- 1 tablespoon strawberry jell-o
- 8 ounces cream cheese, soft room temperature
- 1½ cups heavy cream, cold
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh strawberries
- 8- ounces Cool Whip, thawed
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°.
- Spray a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with cooking spray and set aside.
Crust
- Stir together pretzel crumbs, melted butter, and brown sugar until moistened and well combined.
- Press mixture firmly and evenly into bottom and up sides of prepared pie pan.
- Bake 12-13 minutes, or until firm. Let cool completely before continuing. This may be done a day ahead of time.
Filling
- In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons boiling water and the jell-o; let cool to room temperature but it should still be pourable.
- In another bowl beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cold heavy cream and powdered sugar.
- Whip at high speed until fluffy, stopping to scrape sides of bowl as needed.
- Beat in gelatin mixture until well mixed and no streaks of red remain.
- Fold in chopped strawberries.
- Spoon filling into prepared crust.
- Loosely cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- Just before serving top the pie with Cool Whip and garnish with berries and pretzels.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition information is estimated as a courtesy. If using for medical purposes, please verify information using your own nutritional calculator. Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
This recipe has been tested several times. If you choose to use other ingredients, or change the technique in some way, the results may not be the same.
Marye's Tips
Make sure the pretzel crust is completely cool before you pour in the strawberry filling. For more tips remember to download the Strawberry Pretzel Pie Kitchen Cheat Sheet!
📚 More Southern comfort: related recipes you'll love
Icebox pies are some of my favorite treats for summer. They're easy to make, generally freeze well, and don't heat up the kitchen! Here are some more recipes you'll want to try.
Laurie L Kearnes says
Ha! Remember I was just asking you if you had a recipe for Jello Pie? This is WAY better! And exactly what I had in mind. Thank you so much! I'm making it for our holiday cookout tomorrow.