Dreamy Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake Recipe for Dessert Lovers

Sweet dreams meet reality with this strawberry pretzel crusted cheesecake that breaks all dessert boundaries.

Salty and smooth textures dance together in perfect harmony.

Creamy layers melt against a crunchy pretzel foundation, creating unexpected flavor magic.

Rich cream cheese blends seamlessly with bright strawberry notes, promising a memorable slice.

Each bite tells a delightful story of contrasting sensations.

Crumbly pretzels provide a surprising twist that elevates this classic dessert beyond ordinary expectations.

You’ll want to savor every single moment of this incredible culinary adventure.

Why Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake Pops With Flavor

• Craft Unique Flavor Profile: Blend salty pretzels with sweet cheesecake for a mouthwatering combination that surprises taste buds and breaks traditional dessert boundaries.
• Master Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Create a show-stopping treat perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, and special celebrations that will impress guests with minimal advanced baking skills.
• Customize with Ease: Swap strawberry topping with other fruit compotes or fresh berries, allowing personal creativity and seasonal ingredient flexibility in one versatile recipe.
• Build Textural Excitement: Enjoy a delightful contrast between crunchy pretzel crust, creamy cheesecake filling, and vibrant fruity topping that provides multiple sensory experiences in each bite.

Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake Ingredient List

• Pretzels: A salty and crunchy base that provides a unique texture and flavor contrast to the creamy cheesecake.
• Butter: Helps bind the pretzel crumbs together and adds richness to the crust.
• Sugar: Provides a touch of sweetness to balance the salty pretzels.

• Cream Cheese: The primary ingredient that creates the smooth, rich, and creamy texture of the cheesecake.
• Sugar: Sweetens the cheesecake filling and enhances its overall flavor.
• Eggs: Act as a binding agent and help create the classic dense cheesecake texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the cream cheese.
• Sour Cream: Contributes to the creamy texture and adds a subtle tangy flavor.
• Flour: Helps stabilize the cheesecake filling and prevents cracking.

• Strawberries, Sugar, Water, Cornstarch, Lemon Juice: Combine to create a glossy, sweet-tart sauce that adds fruity brightness and moisture to the cheesecake.

How To Make Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake Easily

Step 1: Pulverize Pretzels

Grab your food processor or rolling pin and transform pretzels into ultra-fine crumbs. Aim for a consistent, sandy texture that will create a killer crust.

Step 2: Create Pretzel Base

• Melted butter
• Sugar

Mix until the mixture clumps together like wet beach sand. Press this mixture firmly into a 9-inch springform pan, covering the bottom and slightly climbing the sides.

Step 3: Chill Pretzel Crust

Pop the pan in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to help the crust set firmly.

Step 4: Prepare Oven

Warm up your oven to 325°F. Ensure cream cheese sits at room temperature for smooth blending.

Step 5: Whip Cream Cheese

Beat cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until silky smooth with zero lumps.

Step 6: Build Cheesecake Filling

• Sugar
• Eggs (one at a time)
• Vanilla extract
• Sour cream
• Flour

Blend until the mixture looks dreamy and uniform.

Step 7: Fill and Bake

Pour the creamy filling over the chilled pretzel crust. Bake for 55-60 minutes until the center looks almost set but still slightly wiggly.

Step 8: Gentle Cooling

Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for one hour to prevent cracking.

Step 9: Craft Strawberry Topping

• Strawberries
• Sugar
• Water
• Cornstarch
• Lemon juice

Simmer and stir for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and strawberries soften.

Step 10: Final Chill

Cool the strawberry sauce, spread over the cheesecake, and refrigerate for an additional hour before serving.

Tips For Perfect Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake

• Crush Pretzels Perfectly: Use a food processor or rolling pin to create uniform, fine crumbs that will bind together seamlessly for a delightful crust texture.
• Prevent Cheesecake Cracks: Cool the cheesecake slowly in the oven with the door cracked open to minimize temperature shock and prevent unsightly surface cracks.
• Balance Strawberry Topping: Simmer the strawberry sauce until it reaches a thick, glossy consistency, ensuring a vibrant and flavorful complement to the creamy cheesecake.
• Soften Cream Cheese Correctly: Allow cream cheese to sit at room temperature for even mixing, creating a smooth, lump-free filling that guarantees a silky cheesecake texture.

Yummy Twists On Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake

• Chocolate Pretzel Crunch: Replace strawberry topping with a rich chocolate ganache made from dark chocolate and heavy cream, then sprinkle crushed chocolate-covered pretzels on top for extra crunch.
• Salted Caramel Pretzel Dream: Top the cheesecake with homemade salted caramel sauce and garnish with additional pretzel pieces for a sweet and salty combination.
• Berry Blast Pretzel Fusion: Swap strawberry topping with a mixed berry compote using raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries, creating a vibrant and tangy flavor profile.
• Nutty Pretzel Paradise: Add chopped toasted pecans or almonds to the pretzel crust and drizzle with warm honey before serving, enhancing the nutty undertones of the dessert.

Best Matches For Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake

• Create Sweet-Salty Wine Harmony: Pair this decadent strawberry pretzel cheesecake with a crisp Moscato d'Asti, balancing its sweet bubbles against the salty pretzel crust while complementing the strawberry notes.
• Enhance Flavor Contrast: Select a chilled rosé wine with light berry undertones that will beautifully echo the strawberry topping and cut through the rich, creamy cheesecake texture.
• Craft Dessert Beverage Magic: Match the cheesecake with a smooth cream liqueur like Bailey's or Kahlúa, which will harmonize with the dessert's sweet-salty profile and provide a luxurious drinking experience.

How To Store Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake Well

• Wrap the cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, keeping it in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to maintain freshness and prevent absorbing other food odors.
• Carefully place the entire cheesecake or individual slices in an airtight freezer-safe container, protecting it from freezer burn by wrapping in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil, which can preserve the dessert for 1-2 months.
• Insert small pieces of parchment paper between individual slices before storing to prevent them from sticking together, making it easier to remove and serve later.
• Allow refrigerated cheesecake to sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften slightly and enhance its creamy texture, ensuring the most delightful eating experience.

FAQs About Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake

• Why use pretzels for the crust?

Pretzels add a delightful salty crunch that perfectly balances the sweet, creamy cheesecake, creating a unique and irresistible flavor contrast.

• Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

While you can, full-fat cream cheese provides the best texture and richness, ensuring a smooth and luxurious cheesecake that doesn’t taste watery or dense.

• How do I prevent cracks in my cheesecake?

Baking at a low temperature, cooling slowly in the oven with the door cracked, and avoiding overmixing are key techniques to prevent unsightly surface cracks.

Strawberry Pretzel Crusted Cheesecake Recipe

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4.8 from 9 reviews

• Total Time: 6 hours 25 minutes
• Yield: 12 1x

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Description

Strawberry pretzel crusted cheesecake blends salty and sweet in a dessert that defies ordinary expectations. Creamy layers marry crunchy pretzel crust with luscious strawberry topping, inviting you to savor each indulgent bite of this irresistible treat.

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Ingredients

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Crust:

• 2 cups pretzel crumbs
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 3 tbsp granulated sugar

Cheesecake Filling:

• 4 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Strawberry Topping:

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp water
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp lemon juice

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Instructions

1. Crush pretzels into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin, ensuring a uniform texture for a consistent crust.
2. Mix pretzel crumbs with melted butter and sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand and holds together when pressed.
3. Press the pretzel mixture firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan, creating an even layer.
4. Refrigerate the crust for 15 minutes to help it set while preparing the cheesecake filling.
5. Preheat the oven to 325°F and ensure cream cheese is completely softened at room temperature.
6. Beat cream cheese in a large mixer bowl until smooth and creamy, with no lumps visible.
7. Gradually add sugar to the cream cheese, mixing until fully incorporated and the mixture is light and fluffy.
8. Incorporate eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky texture.
9. Blend in vanilla extract, sour cream, and flour, stirring until the filling is completely smooth.
10. Pour the cheesecake filling over the chilled pretzel crust, spreading evenly to the edges.
11. Bake for 55-60 minutes, or until the center is almost set but still slightly jiggly when gently shaken.
12. Turn off the oven, crack the door open, and let the cheesecake cool inside for 1 hour to prevent cracking.
13. Remove from oven and cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
14. For the strawberry topping, combine strawberries, sugar, water, cornstarch, and lemon juice in a saucepan.
15. Simmer the mixture over medium heat for 5-7 minutes, stirring constantly until the sauce thickens and strawberries soften.
16. Cool the strawberry topping to room temperature, then spread evenly over the chilled cheesecake.
17. Refrigerate for an additional hour before serving to allow the topping to set.

Notes

• Ensure pretzels are crushed into fine, uniform crumbs for a consistent and crispy crust texture that provides perfect crunch.
• Use room temperature cream cheese to achieve a smooth, lump-free filling that blends seamlessly and creates a silky cheesecake.
• Prevent cheesecake cracking by baking slowly at a lower temperature and allowing gradual cooling inside the oven with the door slightly open.
• Adjust sweetness by reducing sugar in the strawberry topping for a more tart flavor or using alternative sweeteners for dietary restrictions.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 12
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 30 g
• Sodium: 320 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 15 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 90 mg