Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert is a sweet, salty, layered dessert with a pretzel crust, a creamy peanut butter layer, chocolate pudding, and whipped topping. Then, chopped pretzels and melted peanut butter are added for garnish and even more crunch and flavor! For another decadent and indulgent layered treat, check out my Peanut Butter Oreo Dessert, too!
Ingredients & Substitutions
Crust: A pretzel crust is the base layer of the dessert, giving each bite its saltiness. For the best results, use a food processor to crush the pretzels into a fine crumb. (Any kind of salted pretzels will work.) Ensure the crumbs are completely coated in the melted butter. If you do not want a pretzel crust, an Oreo cookie, graham cracker, or shortbread crust would all be delicious.
Peanut Butter: Although I used creamy peanut butter, you could use the crunchy variety for more texture. Melt some more peanut butter to drizzle over the top of the dessert. If preferred, you could try the dessert with a different kind of nut butter like cashew or almond butter.
Pudding: Look for a 5.9-ounce box of instant chocolate pudding mix. Mix it with whole milk and spread it on top of the peanut butter layer.
Whipped Topping: You will need 2, 8-ounce tubs of whipped topping, like cool whip, for this dessert. One tub of whipped topping is folded into the peanut butter layer; the second is used as the topping.
Toppings: Have extra crushed pretzels and more peanut butter for garnish.
Can I Use A Different Kind Of Pudding?
Absolutely! I love the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, but this would be a fun dessert to try other flavors. Try it with vanilla pudding, butterscotch, or even peanut butter pudding if you really love peanut butter!
Can I Make Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert Ahead Of Time?
Yes! Because this dessert does need at least 2 hours to chill before serving, it is the perfect dessert to get made a day in advance. Just be aware that the longer it is stored, the more chance the pretzel crust will lose some of its crunchiness.
How To Store Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert
Store peanut butter pretzel dessert in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 2-3 days (although it’s best to serve within a day or two). If not serving right after it has chilled, wait until serving to add the crushed pretzels and melted peanut butter on top. I do not recommend freezing this dessert.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Dessert
Ingredients
Pretzel Crust
- 4 cups salted mini pretzel twists
- ¾ cup (1 ½ sticks / 170 g) unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (128 g) creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup (125 g) confectioners' sugar
- 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping
Chocolate Layer
- 1 box (5.9 ounces) chocolate instant pudding mix
- 3 cups (735 g) whole milk
Topping
- 1 container (8 ounces) whipped topping
- pretzels, chopped for garnish
- peanut butter, melted for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F and spray a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
Pretzel Crust
- Add the pretzels to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse or process until the pretzels are crushed to a fine crumb.
- To a medium bowl, add pretzel crumbs, butter, and sugar. Mix until combined. Pour into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and press into an even layer. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven to cool completely.
Peanut Butter Layer
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with a hand mixer until smooth. Add peanut butter and confectioners' sugar. Mix until fully combined.
- Add the whipped topping. Mix until fully incorporated. Spread on top of the cooled pretzel crust.
Chocolate Layer
- In another medium bowl, add instant pudding and milk. Using a hand mixer, beat on medium speed for 2 minutes or until smooth. Carefully spread on top of the peanut butter layer.
Topping
- Top with whipped topping and place in the refrigerator to chill for at least two hours.
- When ready to serve, garnish with chopped pretzels and melted peanut butter. Serve immediately.
Video
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What the Test Kitchen had to say about this recipe:
Autumn
This is a perfect make-ahead dessert for when you are short on time. Salty and sweet fans will love this one!
Elizabeth
This was interesting in texture with the creamy toppings over the pretzel crust. But, it grew on me after a few bites; I liked the saltiness from the crust and ended up going back for more bites!
Rachael
It's not overly sweet and well balanced with the salt. I think anything with chocolate and peanut butter is a winning dessert!
Selena
I really like this. It's not super sweet and I love the contrast of the salty pretzel crust.
Annabelle
This was a lovely dessert and reminded me of a Butterfinger bar! Not too sweet, but well balanced!
