Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad

Sweet, salty, and perfectly refreshing, Orange Gelatin Pretzel Salad is a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. This classic layered treat begins with a crisp, buttery pretzel crust that provides the perfect salty contrast to the luscious cream cheese and Cool Whip layer. The final touch is a shimmering top of orange gelatin studded with juicy mandarin orange segments, creating a vibrant, fruity finish that’s hard to resist. Ideal for potlucks, holiday gatherings, or summer BBQs, this easy-to-make recipe combines texture and flavor in every bite. With just 20 minutes of prep time and a few simple steps, this no-fuss favorite is bound to become a household staple. Keywords: orange gelatin pretzel salad, mandarin orange dessert, layered pretzel dessert, sweet and salty dessert recipe, holiday potluck recipes.

Nutriscore Rating: 53/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups (crushed) pretzels
• 0.75 cups (melted) unsalted butter
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar (for crust)
• 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 8 oz cool whip (thawed)
• 6 oz orange gelatin mix (Jell-O)
• 2 cups boiling water
• 2 cups cold water
• 20 oz (canned) mandarin orange segments (drained)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).

Step 2

In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crushed pretzels, melted butter, and 3 tablespoons of granulated sugar. Mix until evenly combined.

Step 3

Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to form an even crust layer.

Step 4

Bake the crust in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and let it cool completely on a wire rack.

Step 5

While the crust is cooling, make the cream cheese layer. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy.

Step 6

Fold in the thawed Cool Whip gently until fully incorporated. Spread the cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust, making sure to seal the edges completely to prevent the gelatin layer from seeping through.

Step 7

Refrigerate the dish while preparing the gelatin layer.

Step 8

In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the orange gelatin mix in 2 cups of boiling water. Stir until the gelatin has completely dissolved.

Step 9

Add 2 cups of cold water to the gelatin mixture. Stir well and let it cool to room temperature.

Step 10

Once the gelatin has cooled, gently stir in the drained mandarin orange segments.

Step 11

Pour the gelatin mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer in the baking dish.

Step 12

Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 4 hours or until the gelatin is fully set.

Step 13

Slice into squares and serve chilled. Enjoy this delightful combination of sweet, salty, and tangy flavors!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	2545.2 grams (2545.2g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4299

Total Fat 255.10g	327%
Saturated Fat 151.40g	757%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.00g
Cholesterol 625mg	208%
Sodium 2239mg	97%
Total Carbohydrate 499.40g	182%
Dietary Fiber 8.80g	31%
Total Sugars 395.90g
Protein 42.40g	85%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 387mg	30%
Iron 5mg	30%
Potassium 931mg	20%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 51.4%

Protein: 3.8%

Carbs: 44.8%