In the book, Matt explains that there are many, many variations of this. In my family, there are two. One of which I've blogged about before (and my personal favorite) made with a pretzel crust, sweetened condensed milk, vanilla pudding and cool whip, and topped with raspberry pie filling. The other has a graham cracker crust, some kind of creamy filling (i'm sure cool whip is involved) and topped with jello.
This Baked version is a combination of the two. A pretzel crust, whipped cream and cream cheese filling, and strawberry jello. Although the crust and the filling is pretty fool proof, I had never made the one topped with jello and struggled with the instruction to wait until the jello is partially set before pouring it over the dessert. I guess I waited to long, because my jello was slightly lumpy. I took a blow torch to it, thinking it would melt down a bit and get smoother, it helped a bit, but it didn't have a significant impact on the over all look. My jello layer remained lumpy.
I waited until we cut into it and served it to whip out the camera, but it was a mess. A delicious mess, but a mess nonetheless. It was basically impossible to cut neat squares of this dessert. The jello layer was way too soft, and was sliding everywhere.
So I decided to make it again, but in a way I could get cute pictures out of it. I made a half batch and got 10 servings out of it. And again, I screwed up the jello layer, letting it set too much before pouring it on the creamy filling. So I started over, and as soon as the liquid jello was cool I poured it on the dessert to get a nice, smooth final layer. I let it set, and added sliced strawberries to the top.
I'm a huge fan of desserts using pretzel crusts (see this insanely delicious tart, here), and you really can't go wrong with a filling of whipped cream, sugar and cream cheese, although, I'm not a big fan of the jello. Ever since my first pregnancy, I have had a weird thing with artificial flavors. So that's basically all I could taste. Still, I thought it was a refreshing dessert, perfect for a summer bbq!
The recipe can be found on the Baked Sunday Mornings website.
okay, i'm obsessed with this now, so next time i make it, it's definitely going in JARS!!!
ReplyDeleteYours look beautiful in the jars what a great idea! I agree anything with pretzel base gets my vote.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful - I think your raspberry pretzel delight sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteI love the individual desserts in glass dishes because there was no way to get a clean square out of a 9" x 13" pan! And - just because they're beautiful! You've turned a very pedestrian dessert into something lovely.
ReplyDeleteYou had me at blow torch! I'm still laughing...what a sight and thanks for the laugh. Actually, I'm glad you went through all your troubles because your finished presentation inspires me. I'm making a note in my book. Beautifully done.
ReplyDeleteThe jar idea was genius -- not only so much easier to serve and eat, but simply beautiful, too, especially with your sliced strawberry garnish! This was my first time ever making anything with a pretzel crust, but now I feel that I've been missing out this whole time... Your chocolate dulce de leche pretzel tart looks absolutely amazing, and I am so putting that on my to-bake list, it looks insane! Thanks for the wonderful inspiration!
ReplyDeleteWhat a gorgeous looking dessert! I have never heard of a pretzel crust! These I can see would be fabulous! BTW I love your pulla! I grew up surrounded by Finns and loved their pulla! I should make some soon! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteI am totally drooling over this. The colours of the jelly and strawberry totally pop!
ReplyDeleteI just saw your tweet about this gorgeous strawberry jello salad getting low clicks on TS, and I'm shocked! It looks freakin' amazing! Both my challah and focaccia got super low clicks on both FG and TS last weekend, but I chalk that up to many not being interested in bread baking. You need a quick and easy junk food photo to hike up the clicks lol
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