Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad

square portion of orange pretzel dessert on white plate

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Mandarin Orange Pretzel Salad

This classic Orange Pretzel Salad dessert features a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy center, and silky top with mandarin oranges and orange flavored gelatin. A fun and delicious twist on traditional Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Perfect for a summer luncheon or anytime!

Prep Time20

Cook Time10

Chill Time5 30

Total Time6

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: mandarin orange, pretzel dessert, pretzel salad

Servings:

Ingredients

FOR THE PRETZEL CRUST

2 1/2 cups finely crushed pretzels
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
3/4 cup unsalted butter , melted

FOR THE JELLO TOPPING

6 ounce box orange gelatin
10 ounce can DOLE Mandarin Oranges , drained, juice reserved and chilled

FOR THE CREAMY FILLING

8 ounces cream cheese , softened
1 cup granulated sugar
8 ounces cool whip topping , thawed

Instructions

Make the crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
In a medium bowl, mix together the pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Press evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, or until mixture is lightly toasted. Set aside to cool completely.
Make the topping:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the orange gelatin powder with 2 cups boiling water. Stir until completely dissolved. Then whisk in the reserved cold mandarin orange juice. Chill in the fridge for about 1 hour to partially solidify (but not too much longer or it will set too much and you won't be able to pour it.)
Make the filling:
In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar with a handheld mixer. Fold in the whipped topping until thoroughly combined. Spread evenly over the cooled pretzel layer, making sure it goes completely to the edges so the jello layer doesn't leak through.
Evenly place the mandarin orange segments on top. Chill for 30 minutes. Then pour chilled orange gelatin over the cream cheese layer.
Refrigerate until completely chilled and set, at least 4 hours (or overnight). Slice and serve!

Video

Notes

Ignore the directions on the box of jello. Ensure the Jell-o is the larger 6 oz size box and do not follow the instructions on the package. Follow the written recipe.

Spread the cream cheese layer to the edges. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the top of the pretzel crust completely to the edges so the gelatin won't leak through.

Chill the can of mandarin oranges. Don’t skip chilling the mandarin orange juice or the jello might now set properly.

Allow each layer to cool/chill completely before adding the next layer. If you proceed with the next layer before the previous once has time to chill, the layers can melt.

Nutrition