Mandarin Orange Pretzel Dessert

This classic Mandarin Orange Pretzel Dessert features a crunchy pretzel crust, a creamy center, and silky top with mandarin oranges and orange flavored gelatin. Perfect for a summer luncheon!
The original Pretzel Salad Dessert calls for strawberries, but we go through those like rolls of toilet paper, thanks to Trevor, and I was actually out. So, I made mine with canned mandarin oranges because I always have those in the house. It was perfect and the kids loved it!

This dessert totally reminds me of something you would find at a midwestern luncheon, where it disappears before anything else. And then everyone is calling the hostess the next day for the recipe. And guess what? After a little research, I was pretty close!

What is Pretzel Salad Dessert?

Well, it’s clearly not a salad at all, but really a light dessert that resembles cheesecake with a mousse like texture. Also very similar to a Lush dessert that everyone loves.

It has a salty crust (made from crushed pretzels, sugar, and butter), a creamy middle, and a silky fruit topping. At first glance, it does sound weird, but it totally works! Plus, because of how rich it is, smaller servings are just fine, making it great for a crowd. Which is why it’s become a staple for so many people at holiday time, but mostly for BBQ potlucks and Sunday brunches all year long.

The recipe is believed to have originated in the 1960s when The Joys of Jell-O cookbook was published. And over the years there have been so many variations and a traditional southern (not midwestern!) dessert . All delicious!

Mandarin Orange Pretzel Dessert
This looks incredibly delicious! I love this! looks so good!

Prep Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the crust:

•     3/4 cup Fisher Nuts Pecans
•     2 1/2 cups pretzels
•     1/2 cup granulated sugar
•     3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

•     2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
•     1 Tbsp lemon juice
•     1 container (8 oz) whipped topping, thawed
•     1 can (14oz) sweetened condensed milk

For the topping:

•     2 boxes (3 oz each) orange gelatin mix
•     2 cans (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
•     1 3/4 cup boiling water

Instructions

1. In a large food processor, add pecans and sugar. Add pretzels and pulse several times until you have some crumbs and some broken pieces. Add melted butter and mix with a fork.
2. Press into the bottom of a deep, 13x9 baking dish. Set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with condensed milk and lemon juice until smooth (several minutes). Fold in whipping topping and spread over pecan crust.
4. In a medium bowl, combine gelatin with boiling water until dissolved. Add in oranges and allow mixture to cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes). Pour over cheesecake filling.
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6. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night or at least 8 hours. Slice and enjoy!

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