Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert: A Delicious Treat to Satisfy Your Cravings

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With a sweet and salty pretzel crust, fluffy peanut butter layer, and silky chocolate pudding, this peanut butter pretzel dessert is a decadent twist on peanut butter pie.

Peanut butter pretzel dessert with two slices removed

Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert Inspired by Peanut Butter Pie

If you’re a fan of peanut butter pie, then prepare yourself for a new favorite treat. After seeing someone make a peanut butter pie with a pretzel crust, I was inspired to create a similar dessert. Have you ever tried those peanut-butter-filled pretzels from Trader Joe’s? They are such a delightful snack, making this dessert a sure hit!

This recipe features a sweet-and-salty pretzel crust topped with a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese filling, followed by a luscious chocolate pudding layer and a final layer of Cool Whip.

Perfect for summer cookouts and gatherings, this dessert is designed to serve a crowd and will undoubtedly impress your guests!

How to Make This Layered Dessert

This dessert is not only crowd-pleasing, but it’s also what I like to call a “low-bake” recipe—the crust is the only part that gets baked, while the rest is no-bake. It’s an ideal choice for summer when you want to minimize oven time. Plus, it requires at least 4 hours of refrigeration before serving, making it a convenient make-ahead dessert option.

Ingredients You’ll Need

  • 8 ounces salted pretzel twists, coarsely crushed
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • ¾ cup (12 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
  • 1 ¾ cups powdered sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 ¾ cups creamy peanut butter
  • 16 ounces thawed Cool Whip or TruWhip, divided use
  • 2 (3.9-ounce) packages instant chocolate pudding mix
  • 3 cups whole milk

Making My Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Prepare a 13×9-inch pan by spraying it with cooking spray and lining it with parchment paper for easy removal later.

To create the crust, combine the crushed pretzels, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan and bake for 10 minutes. Allow it to cool completely before adding the subsequent layers.

Once cooled, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla together in a large mixing bowl for about 5 minutes. Add the peanut butter and blend until thoroughly mixed. Use a spatula to gently fold in 8 ounces of the thawed Cool Whip until no streaks remain, then spread this mixture evenly over the pretzel crust.

For the pudding layer, whisk together the pudding mix and milk for about 3 minutes before pouring it over the peanut butter layer. Spread it evenly and top with the remaining Cool Whip. Cover the dessert and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Topping Options

To elevate this dessert, feel free to add some delicious toppings. I enjoy garnishing it with halved Reese’s mini peanut butter cups, melted peanut butter, and a sprinkle of chopped pretzels. Other tasty options include drizzling hot fudge sauce, adding chocolate shavings, or incorporating Reese’s Pieces or mini chocolate chips.

Plated slice of peanut butter pretzel dessert with a cup of coffee

More Dessert Recipes Using Pretzels

If you’re a fan of combining the saltiness of pretzels with sweet treats, here are some delightful dessert recipes that you will love:

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