Strawberry Pretzel Salad Parfaits
These Strawberry Pretzel Salad Parfaits combine sweet, tangy strawberries, creamy cheesecake, and crunchy pretzels in every bite. Easy to assemble, visually stunning, and perfect for parties or family desserts, they’re a treat everyone will love.
Ingredients
- Pretzel Crust Layer:
- 1 ½ cups crushed pretzels
- ¼ cup granulated erythritol allulose, or sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted
- Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- ½ cup powdered erythritol or preferred sweetener
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- Strawberry Layer:
- 2 cups fresh strawberries chopped
- 2 tbsp granulated erythritol or sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Optional: 1 tsp cornstarch or xanthan gum for thickening
- Optional Garnishes:
- Whipped cream
- Fresh mint leaves
- Extra crushed pretzels
- Sugar-free chocolate shavings
- Substitutions:
- Pretzels: Gluten-free or low-carb crackers for keto
- Cream Cheese: Vegan cream cheese for dairy-free
- Heavy Cream: Coconut cream or dairy-free whipping cream
- Sweeteners: Monk fruit stevia, or allulose
- Strawberries: Substitute raspberries blueberries, or mixed berries
Instructions
- Prepare Pretzel Crust:
- In a medium bowl, combine crushed pretzels, sweetener, and melted butter. Stir to coat evenly. Press about 2 tablespoons into the bottom of each parfait cup. Optional: lightly toast remaining crumbs in a dry skillet for extra crunch.
- Make Cheesecake Layer:
- Beat softened cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sweetener and vanilla extract; mix until creamy. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks and gently fold into cream cheese mixture. Spoon or pipe over pretzel layer in each cup.
- Prepare Strawberry Layer:
- Combine chopped strawberries with sweetener and lemon juice. Let sit 10–15 minutes to release juices. Optional: cook lightly with cornstarch or xanthan gum to thicken.
- Assemble Parfaits:
- Layer strawberries over cheesecake layer. Repeat layers if cups are tall enough, finishing with a dollop of cheesecake or extra strawberries. Sprinkle with extra pretzel crumbs.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate at least 1–2 hours to allow flavors to meld and layers to firm. Serve chilled.
Notes
Toast pretzel crumbs for crunch and flavor.
Use fully softened cream cheese for smooth cheesecake layer.
Layer carefully with a spoon or piping bag for neat presentation.
Make-ahead: Assemble a day in advance; add fresh strawberries before serving.
Taste and adjust sweetness in cheesecake and strawberries separately.
Flavor Variations:
Mixed Berry: Use blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries.
Chocolate Pretzel: Sprinkle sugar-free chocolate chips between layers.
Tropical Twist: Add diced mango or pineapple.
Citrus Burst: Add orange zest to cheesecake layer.
Nutty Crunch: Fold finely chopped pecans or almonds into pretzel layer.