This cranberry pretzel salad is loaded with the salty goodness of pretzels, a light and fluffy sweet cream cheese mixture and the tartness of cranberries with a hint of orange, come together in this unusual, but delicious pretzel salad recipe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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If you love pretzel salad, then get ready for a holly jolly holiday take on a classic sweet and salty dessert. This delicious dessert takes a classic and turns it on its head with a topping full of classic holiday flavor. Unlike many of the recipes I make, I haven’t been making this one for decades. In fact, I only started making it a couple of years ago. I’ve made this festive dessert recipe a few times over the last couple of holiday seasons (and in between), and it’s always welcome when I serve it. After you make it, I know you’ll love it, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Cranberry Pretzel Salad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This delicious pretzel salad starts with a sweet and salty crust made of crushed pretzels, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, and butter that’s baked to crispy, golden brown perfection, then topped with a sweet cream cheese filling, and a deliciously sweet and tart cranberry orange topping made with fresh cranberries, oranges, and sugar. It’s so easy to make, and every bite tastes like the classic holidays of old. You’ll be expecting to find wooden toys under the tree!<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Why You’ll Love This Cranberry Pretzel Salad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
It’s sweet, salty, and super easy to make.<\/li>
It’s loaded with fresh cranberries, oranges, a sweet cream cheese filling, and a pretzel crust.<\/li>
And, it’s super festive, and a great dessert for the holidays.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Tips<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fully soften your cream cheese to avoid a lumpy filling with little bits of raw cream cheese in it.<\/li>
Crush your pretzels just enough for them to combine with the other ingredients. You want them small, but you don’t want powder.<\/li>
Stir your cranberry mixture frequently while it cooks so it doesn’t scorch.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Variations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Change the flavor, by making the fruit filling with your favorite berries.<\/li>
Use diced fruits like apples, pears, or peaches for different filling, as well.<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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What to Serve with Cranberry Pretzel Salad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Serve up this delicious pretzel salad alongside any of your other favorite holiday desserts at your next holiday gathering. The flavors are also perfect after the holiday meal, whether you have turkey, ham, prime rib, or something else. Honestly, there’s never a bad meal to pair this sweet and salty dessert with.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Recipe FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What is cranberry pretzel salad?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pretzel salad is a sweet and salty dessert made with a pretzel crust and sweet cream cheese and fruit toppings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why is it called pretzel salad?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
No one seems to know why it’s called a salad? We know that it was called that when it first appeared in the 1960s in the “Joys of Jell-O” cookbook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you use frozen cranberries in place of fresh cranberries?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Absolutely. Defrost them and use them in the same quantities that you’d use fresh cranberries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you make cranberry pretzel salad in advance?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
You sure can. Pretzel salad is actually better the longer it sits, so feel free to make it the day before you’re ready to serve it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Can you freeze cranberry pretzels salad?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Yes. Wrap the original container in a double layer of plastic wrap, then a layer of foil, and freeze it for up to a month.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to Store Cranberry Pretzel Salad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Store this pretzel salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container or in the original container wrapped in a double layer of plastic wrap and a layer of aluminum foil.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Cranberry Pretzel Salad Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Every part of this recipe uses simple ingredients that you’ll easily find at your local grocery store. Many of them are baking staples, so you probably have most of the ingredients in your kitchen right now. The actual measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Pretzel Crust<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crushed pretzels<\/li>
Vanilla extract<\/li>
Brown sugar<\/li>
All purpose flour<\/li>
Butter<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cream Cheese Filling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cream cheese<\/li>
Powdered sugar<\/li>
Cool whip<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Cranberry Orange Topping<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fresh cranberries<\/li>
Sugar<\/li>
Brown sugar<\/li>
Zest from 1orange<\/li>
Orange juice<\/li>
Cornstarch<\/li><\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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How to Make Cranberry Pretzel Salad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This recipe is very basic, so anyone can make it. It only takes a few minutes, and there’s absolutely nothing complicated about it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Prep<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees and lightly spray a 13×9 glass baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Make the Pretzel Crust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Add crushed pretzels, vanilla, brown sugar, and flour to a medium bowl and stir. Melt the butter and add it to the pretzel mixture. Stir to combine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 3: Bake the Pretzel Crust<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spread the pretzel mixture into the prepared baking dish and press it into an even, smooth layer. Save \u00bd cup for the topping. Then, bake for 10 minutes, remove from the oven, and let cool completely.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Step 4: Make the Cranberry Orange Topping<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Add the cranberries, sugar, orange zest, orange juice, and cornstarch to a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring constantly until the cranberries burst and thicken up. Remove from the heat and let cool a bit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 5: Make the Cream Cheese Filling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Beat the cream cheese for 2 to 3 minutes with an electric hand mixer for 2 to 3 minutes on medium speed until light and fluffy. Then, add the powdered sugar and beat until combined. Fold in the Cool Whip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 6: Make the Cranberry Pretzel Salad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled crust. Then, pour and spread the cranberry orange mixture evenly over the cream cheese mixture. Finally, top with the remaining crushed pretzels. Cover the dish with foil or plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours to overnight.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Try This Delicious Pretzel Salad Today<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This delicious pretzel salad is so good and so easy to make. It’s loaded with festive, holiday flavors, and it takes so little effort, you’ll be happy to serve it up anytime, anywhere. Bring this sweet and salty dessert to your next holiday gathering or holiday potluck and get ready to be the star of the dessert show. Once you try this, I guarantee you’ll be making it all the time.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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