I have a special bargain recipe to share with The Budget Mom readers today. This is a one of a kind Raspberry Pretzel Salad. I have never seen this recipe anywhere else, and I think it is completely different. It uses ingredients that are affordable, and I am positive this will become a go-to dessert recipe in your home. I was introduced to this recipe last week when I was attending a birthday party, and I immediately fell in love. Joyce, who is a part of my HUGE extended family, gave me this recipe to share with you all, and I am so glad she did. This dessert salad has an amazing pretzel base, with a middle layer of cool whip & cream cheese, and it’s topped off with a delicious raspberry jello. It also uses real raspberries, which I absolutely love. I hope you all love it as much as I do. Enjoy!

Raspberry Pretzel Salad
Cost Per Serving: $1.05
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

Pretzel Base:

• 2 1/2 cups crushed pretzels
• 3 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 3/4 cups melted butter

Cool Whip Middle Layer:

• 8oz cool whip – thawed
• 8oz cream cheese
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Raspberry Top Layer:

• 1 6oz package raspberry jello
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 packages of frozen or fresh raspberries

If you are not a raspberry fan, you can substitute the raspberries for a fruit of your choice. I am also a huge blueberry fan, and I plan on making this again with blueberries. Another great idea would be to play with the middle layer by adding vanilla, and using strawberries as the top layer. You could create more of a strawberry shortcake salad that would be absolutely delicious.

Pretzel Base:

Step #1)  Turn the oven on at 325 degrees. Crush the pretzels by placing them in a plastic bag and smash them with your fist. This is a great time to let out all of your frustration from the day, and really let it all out:-) Combine the crushed pretzels, powdered sugar, and melted butter in a large bowl and stir gently until evenly coated. Once it is all mixed, place in a 9 x 13 baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes.

Cool Whip Middle Layer:

Step #2: Beat the cool whip, cream cheese, powdered sugar, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Chill in the fridge.

Raspberry Top Layer:

Step #3: Combine the jello powder with 2 cups boiling water. Make sure the jello is completely dissolved before adding the raspberries. Once dissolved, add the raspberries to the bowl and gently stir. Set in the fridge until thickened.

Step #4: With your pretzel bottom layer ready to go, take out the cool whip middle layer and spread on the pretzels. Once the jello is thickened, spread the raspberry jello on top of the cool whip middle layer. Place in the fridge until your ready to eat it.

Note from Joyce: Thaw out the berries a little before adding them to the jello. The jello will set too fast it the berries go in frozen. Try not to make this too far ahead of time, as the pretzels will get a little soggy it they sit out too far ahead of time. Make sure the jello is completely dissolved before adding the berries, or the jello powder will not dissolve.

I am so glad Joyce shared this delicious recipe with me and allowed me to share it with you! I love how this recipe incorporates every day snack food, like pretzels, and really transforms them. Surprise your friends and bring this to your next get-together.

kumiko Ehrmantraut

A little about me: I love helping women take charge of their financial lives. As an Accredited Financial Counselor, I love teaching about money management and realistic budgeting. Away from the computer, you can usually find me behind a camera lens or coloring with my 4-year-old son.

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