Description
A refreshing and vibrant salad featuring juicy strawberries, crunchy granola, and a sweet-tangy dressing. Perfect as a side dish for any meal or as a light, healthy snack.
Ingredients
For the Strawberry Crunch Salad:
- 1 (6-ounce) box strawberry-flavored Jell-O (instant)
- 1 (8-ounce) tub whipped topping, thawed
- 2 cups fresh strawberries, diced
- 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
- 1 cup crushed Graham crackers or vanilla wafer cookies
- 1 cup crushed pretzels or rice cereal (for crunch)
- 1 cup mini marshmallows (optional for extra texture)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional for added tang)
Instructions
Start by preparing the strawberry-flavored Jell-O according to the package instructions. This typically involves dissolving the Jell-O powder in boiling water. In a large mixing bowl, combine the Jell-O powder with 1 cup of boiling water, stirring until fully dissolved. Once the Jell-O is dissolved, add 1 cup of cold water and stir again.
After mixing, allow the Jell-O to cool for a few minutes at room temperature before proceeding. The cooling process is crucial for ensuring the salad has the right texture once everything is combined.
In another large bowl, whisk together the sweetened condensed milk and whipped topping. If you want a slight tang to your dressing, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. This is an optional step, but it gives a nice balance to the sweetness of the other ingredients. If you’re using an electric mixer, mix until smooth and well-blended.
The whipped topping should be soft and fluffy. Be gentle when folding in the Jell-O mixture to avoid deflating the whipped topping.
Once the Jell-O has cooled slightly, carefully fold it into the creamy mixture. Use a spatula to gently combine, ensuring everything is evenly mixed without losing the light texture of the whipped topping.
Add the diced fresh strawberries to the mixture. Fold them in carefully, so you don’t break them up too much. The strawberries add freshness, flavor, and a beautiful pop of color to the salad. They will also release some juice into the mixture, making the salad extra flavorful.
In a separate bowl, combine the crushed Graham crackers, pretzels, or rice cereal. These ingredients are what give the salad its crunchy layer. If you prefer a sweet crunch, opt for Graham crackers, but if you want something more savory, crushed pretzels work wonderfully.
You can either crush these by hand or use a food processor to break them down into smaller pieces. The choice of crunchy base is really up to you, but the combination of sweet and salty is what makes this salad stand out.
Once everything is prepared, layer the mixture in a large serving bowl or individual bowls. Start with a base layer of the creamy strawberry mixture, followed by a layer of the crunchy topping. Repeat the layers until you’ve used up all the ingredients. The final layer should be the crunchy topping.
If desired, garnish the top with a few extra fresh strawberry slices or some additional mini marshmallows for added sweetness and texture.
Cover the assembled salad with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and helps the salad set properly. The chilled salad has a much better texture and is more refreshing when served cold.
Once the salad is properly chilled, serve it in individual portions or spoon it onto a large platter for your guests to help themselves. The creamy base, sweet strawberries, and crunchy texture make each bite absolutely irresistible.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Chilling Time: 1 hour
Nutrition
- Calories: 250-300 kcal
- Fat: 12-14g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40g
- Protein: 3g