Indulge your sweet and salty cravings with Cherry Pretzel Squares, a crowd-pleasing layered dessert perfect for gatherings or a casual treat. This no-fail recipe starts with a buttery, crunchy pretzel crust that's baked to golden perfection, providing the ideal base for the creamy filling. A luscious layer of whipped cream cheese, sweetened with powdered sugar and a hint of vanilla, is topped with vibrant cherry pie filling for a dazzling finish. The contrast of flavors and textures—from the salty crunch of pretzels to the smooth, tangy cream and fruity sweetness—makes every bite irresistible. Quick to prep and easy to assemble, this make-ahead dessert only improves as it chills. Serve these chilled squares for a refreshing and stunning dessert that promises to be the highlight of your table.
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
In a mixing bowl, combine crushed pretzels, granulated sugar, and melted butter. Stir until the mixture is well combined and resembles wet sand.
Press the pretzel mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to form the crust.
Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.
While the crust cools, prepare the filling by beating softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract together in a medium bowl until smooth and creamy.
Gently fold in the whipped topping until fully incorporated, creating a fluffy filling.
Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, ensuring it creates a solid layer. This helps prevent the cherry topping from seeping through.
Top the cream cheese layer with an even layer of cherry pie filling.
Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) to allow the dessert to set.
Slice into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy!
Calories |
8822 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 699.2 g | 896% | |
| Saturated Fat | 443.6 g | 2218% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 1801 mg | 600% | |
| Sodium | 5600 mg | 243% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 628.2 g | 228% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.4 g | 55% | |
| Total Sugars | 355.6 g | ||
| Protein | 44.2 g | 88% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.0 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 532 mg | 41% | |
| Iron | 17.3 mg | 96% | |
| Potassium | 1241 mg | 26% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.