Description
Sweet and salty apple pretzel salad brings together crisp apples, crunchy pretzels, and creamy dressing in a delightful midwest-inspired dessert. Guests will savor each refreshing bite of this simple yet irresistible summer side that perfectly balances classic flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups apples, chopped
- 2 cups pretzels, crushed
- 1 cup cream cheese
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tbsp vanilla extract
Binding/Topping Ingredients:
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 2 tbsp chopped pecans
Instructions
- Thoroughly wash and carefully dice apples into uniform small cubes to ensure consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Crush pretzels into fine, uneven crumbs using a rolling pin or food processor, creating a varied, crunchy base for the dessert.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and well-integrated, forming a rich, creamy foundation.
- Melt butter gently in a small saucepan over low heat, allowing it to become smooth and glossy without burning.
- Fold the melted butter into the cream cheese mixture, blending until the ingredients create a uniform, silky consistency.
- Gently incorporate the chopped apples into the cream cheese blend, ensuring each apple piece is evenly coated and distributed.
- Sprinkle the crushed pretzel crumbs over the apple and cream cheese mixture, folding carefully to maintain the pretzels’ crisp texture.
- Whip cream until it forms soft, billowy peaks, creating a light and airy topping for the salad.
- Carefully spread the whipped cream over the apple-pretzel mixture, creating an even, cloud-like layer.
- Drizzle caramel sauce in a decorative pattern across the whipped cream surface.
- Scatter chopped pecans over the top, adding a final layer of crunch and nutty flavor.
- Chill the salad in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to meld and texture to set before serving.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and easier mixing without lumps.
- Select crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith or Honeycrisp to balance the sweet cream cheese base and add vibrant flavor.
- Lightly toast pretzel crumbs in a dry skillet for enhanced nutty depth and extra crunch before incorporating into the salad.
- Customize the dessert by substituting gluten-free pretzels for a celiac-friendly version or using almond cream cheese for a dairy-free alternative.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 250 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg