Strawberry Pretzel Dessert in a Jar

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Finding delicious desserts for the summer months can be a little difficult. But these adorable individual desserts are perfect for any get together. The combination of salty pretzels and sweet strawberries in this delicious dessert in a jar is perfect. Not to mention these cute desserts are a fun mason jar craft you can eat!

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We’ve been social distancing for the past few months. And while restrictions are easing, it’s still a good idea to keep your distance when you’re hanging out with friends and family. If you’re hosting a party while still trying to social distance, making individual desserts for each guest is a great idea. It keeps the transfer of germs at a minimum because each guest can simply grab their own jar!

That’s why I love this easy dessert in a jar so much! And when we’re finished social distancing, it’s still an adorable way to display this yummy dessert.

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

To make these easy strawberry pretzel salad dessert in a jar, you’ll just need a few simple ingredients. But keep in mind that the jello and cheesecake layer of this delicious dessert needs time to set, to plan to make these desserts at least a few hours before you’ll be serving them.

To make these easy desserts in a jar, you’ll need:

• Pretzels
• Butter
• Powdered sugar
• Cream cheese
• Whipped topping
• Strawberry gelatin
• Water
• Strawberries
• Half pint jars

One thing I love about this easy recipe is that it can easily be made gluten free! Just use gluten free pretzels for the crust to quickly and easily turn this into a gluten free dessert in a jar!

To make this easy jar dessert, you’ll be making three different layers:

• Pretzel crust layer
• No bake cheesecake layer
• Strawberry Jello layer

Start by making the bottom layer, the pretzel crust. Crush your pretzels finely without turning them into powder. I found the best way to do this is to place the pretzels in a large bag and use a rolling pin to smash the pretzels. After they’re crushed, pour them into a bowl and combine the pretzels with melted butter and powdered sugar.

Pour the crushed pretzel mixture into your jars and press it down into the bottom of the jar until a firm crust forms. Place the jars in a baking dish or cake pan and bake them in the oven for 10 minutes. When the crust becomes fragrant, remove them from the oven and set them aside to cool enough to start filling them with other ingredients.

While the crust is baking, take the time to make your Jello layer. Start by preparing your Jello. Disregard the instructions on the package because we’ll be making our gelatin slightly differently. Bring one cup of water to a boil, then stir in the contents of the Jello package until disolved. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then add the chopped strawberries and stir to combine.

Now it’s time to mix up your cheesecake layer! This simple no-bake cheesecake couldn’t be easier to make! Start by beating together softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla.

Once smooth, add in the whipped topping and stir by hand until the mixture is well combined.

Easy Dessert in a Jar

Now that all your layers are ready, it’s time to start building your dessert in a jar!

Make sure your jars are cool enough to touch, then spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the top of the pretzel crust. I found the best way to do this is to pipe the cheesecake mixture into the jars. You can use a piping bag or simply cut the corner off a gallon size zip-top bag.

After creating an even layer over the top of the pretzel crust with your no bake cheesecake, you can pour in your Jello mixture. I suggest using a canning funnel on top of your jars to keep you from spilling the gelatin as you pour.

After filling each jar with the Jello layer, place the lids on top and allow the jars to chill for at least four hours before serving.

Tips for Making Dessert in a Jar

This easy recipe is delicious and simple! But if you have questions as you’re baking, I probably have the answer!

Can I make this a gluten free dessert in a jar?

It’s so simple to make this a gluten free dessert in a jar! Since the strawberry Jello layer and cheesecake layer are both gluten free, the only substitution you’ll need to make is to the pretzel layer. Just chop up your favorite gluten free pretzels (I love Snyder’s) and mix them with butter and powdered sugar to create your own gluten free pretzel crust.

Will I have ingredients leftover?

Making desserts in a jar is a little bit of a science. Since you only have a limited amount of space inside each jar, you may end up with some leftover ingredients. While you will use up all of the pretzels and cheesecake mixture to fill your jars, you may end up with a small amount of Jello after filling each jar.

Can I use a different Jello flavor?

Sure! You can easily swap out the flavor of Jello and fruit to create a fun new dessert in a jar for any occasion. Here are some delicious flavor ideas:

• Tropical dessert in a jar with pineapple
• Banana pudding dessert in a jar with bananas
• Blueberry dessert in a jar
• Orange dessert in a jar

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