• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to header navigation
  • Skip to footer navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Eat Well.
Live Well.
Be Well.
Display Search Bar
  • Dinners Made Simple
  • Work with Us
  • Let’s Chat!
  • Blog
Follow us on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Follow us on Pinterest! Follow us on Twitter! Follow us on YouTube!

The Real Food Dietitians

Eat well. Live well. Be well.

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Specialty Diets
      • Whole30
      • Paleo
      • Egg-Free
      • Dairy-Free
      • Gluten-free
      • Grain-Free
    • Meal Prep Recipes
    • Whole30
    • Freezer-Friendly
    • Appetizers
    • Main Entree
    • Breakfast
    • Drinks & Smoothies
    • One-Dish Meals
    • Slow-Cooker
    • Instant Pot
    • Salads & Sides
    • Sauces & Dressings
    • Soups & Stews
    • Snacks
    • Sweets & Treats
  • Real Plans
  • Meal Prep

Sep 15, 2020 By Jessica Beacom

Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

Egg-Free
Gluten-free
Nut-free
Vegetarian
Jump to Recipe

Life is too short to not enjoy dessert! We’ve combined the elements of one of our favorite childhood desserts with our grown-up values to create a dessert that’s equally fitting for an everyday weeknight treat or a special occasion. We think you’ll love the salty-sweet-creamy combination in this Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie. 

An ice cream pie with pretzel crust, a ribbon of strawberry jam, and dark chocolate shavings and pretzels with a slice lying on its side on a slab of white and grey marble.  This post was created in collaboration with Alden’s Organic

Growing up in the upper midwest it was almost a guarantee that someone would bring some variation of a dessert commonly referred to as the “Strawberry Pretzel Dessert”. Sometimes it was made with strawberry gelatin and sometimes it was made with an overly sweet homemade strawberry jam – but it always included pretzels and a creamy filling like sweetened cream cheese. While probably not the most nutrient-dense option on the potluck table, that sweet-creamy-salty-crunchy combination sure was delicious!

 Today, we’re sharing a frozen dessert that’s a nod to that childhood favorite. We’re really excited about it because we’ve teamed up with Alden’s Organic to use their Vanilla Bean ice cream and just a few other simple ingredients to make a fun dessert that can be enjoyed year-round and for any occasion. 

September is National Organic Month and what better way to celebrate than with a slice of this Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie? Made with just a handful of organic ingredients, it’s a sweet way to indulge in dessert while supporting organic agriculture and family farms.

A sideview of a thick slice of Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie on a small white plate.

3 Reasons to Make This Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

  1. It’s delicious
  2. It’s easy
  3. It’s perfect for any occasion (including National Organic Month!)

And did we mention that it’s also made with organic ingredients? Now that we’re all grown up, we put more thought into what goes into the recipes we create and using organic ingredients whenever possible is one of our own personal values. And that’s why we choose Alden’s Organic ice cream, novelties, and dairy-free frozen desserts for our own families. 

A slice of Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie with shaved chocolate, pretzels, and fresh strawberry sits on a small white plate in front of a blue tub of Alden's Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

Alden’s Organic is America’s best-selling organic ice cream. Alden’s started making ice cream in 2004 in Eugene, Oregon where they still make every batch using milk from small, family-owned organic farms. 

All of their products are non-GMO and certified organic and are available at over 10,000 natural, specialty, and traditional stores across the U.S. 

An ice cream pie with chocolate shavings, pretzels and berries on a white-grey slab of marble with a blue container of Alden's Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream next to it.

Why Choose Organic?

Choosing foods with the USDA organic symbol on their package means you’re supporting organic producers who use natural processes and materials in their farming systems. By doing so, they contribute positively to the soil, crop and livestock nutrition, pest and weed management, attainment of production goals, and conservation of biological diversity while simultaneously creating a healthier working environment for those putting food on your table. 

A recent study found that organic is the cleanest and safest milk sold on supermarket shelves. By choosing ice cream made with organic milk, you can feel good knowing you are looking out for your health. You can read more about this study here at https://www2.organic-center.org/

Alden’s has been making it’s ice cream with organic ingredients and has been an industry leader since 2004 so it’s a brand we feel good about buying for our own families to enjoy. 

Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie removed from the pie dish and sliced for serving.

Ingredients for Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

  • Pretzels – Twists or sticks will work. Use gluten-free pretzels, if needed. 
  • Butter 
  • Alden’s Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – Made with fresh organic cream and real vanilla beans, this ice cream is speckled goodness in every bite.
  • Strawberry jam – You can use a store-bought organic jam or make your own at home with fresh or frozen strawberries and honey. 
  • Dark chocolate – Chop or grate your favorite chocolate bar for a fun twist on the original dessert (which, oddly, didn’t include chocolate!). After all, chocolate and strawberries and vanilla ice cream are meant to be together.
  • Whipped cream – An optional but highly recommended topping! Look for organic whipped topping in a can or buy organic heavy whipping cream and make your own.

How to Make Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

For more detailed instructions, see the recipe card below, but this will give you a good idea of how to make this strawberry pretzel ice cream pie. 

Step 1: Make the crust by pulsing the pretzels in a food processor or blender until mostly fine with a few textured pieces left. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse again to combine. Then pour the crust mixture into the pie plate or 9-inch Springform pan.  Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a pie plate.

Crushed pretzels and melted butter combined in a food processor to make the crust.

Step 2: Scoop half of the softened ice cream onto the crust and gently press it down with the back of a large spoon or spatula, disrupting the crust as little as possible. Spread some of the strawberry jam over the softened ice cream. Sprinkle with a little chopped chocolate.

The first layer of vanilla ice cream, strawberry jam, and dark chocolate shavings in a pretzel crust.

Step 3: Top the jam layer with more softened ice cream, again spreading it to the edges of the pie plate with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Dot the remaining jam onto the top of the pie and, using a knife, gently swirl the jam into the ice cream by dragging the tip of the knife through the top 1-inch of ice cream in a swirling pattern. 

Step 4: Sprinkle the top of the pie with chopped chocolate and place it in the freezer until frozen solid (about 4 hours).

The second layer of the ice cream pie is added with a strawberry jam swirl and liberal dusting of chocolate shavings.

Step 5: Prior to serving, garnish with whipped cream, pretzel twists, and/or additional chopped or shaved chocolate, if desired. 

How to Store Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

Assuming you have any leftovers or maybe you want to prep your ice cream pie ahead of time to serve for an upcoming event, this is what we recommend:

  • Freeze whole: Once the pie is frozen solid, wrap the entire pie (in the dish) tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and return to the freezer for up to 1 month. 
  • Freeze individual slices: Once the pie is frozen solid, slice into 10-12 slices and wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store wrapped slices in a zip-top plastic bag or other freezer-safe containers with a lid in the freezer for up to 1 month. 

Can I make this dairy-free?

You absolutely can! You can simply swap the vanilla bean ice cream with Alden’s Organic Dairy Free Vanilla Bean

All of Alden’s Organic Dairy Free products are certified vegan. They do, however, contain oat flour which is not certified gluten-free.  

A gold fork with a bite of ice cream pie on a small white plate.

Where to Find Alden’s Organic Ice Cream and Dairy-Free Frozen Desserts

Alden’s Organic products can be purchased online on the Store Locator page, and at major retailers across the country including Sprouts, Natural Grocers, Kroger stores, and more.

Let’s Make Some Ice Cream Pie!

To sweeten the deal, grab your coupon for $1 off any Alden’s Organic product here then head to the kitchen and make this Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie – you won’t regret it. 

A slice of Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie on a small white plate in front of a container of vanilla ice cream.

Hungry for More? Subscribe to get our newsletter delivered straight to your inbox! And be sure to stay in touch on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram for all of the latest updates.

Let's Get Cookin'

Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie

Life is too short to not enjoy dessert! We’ve combined the elements of one of our favorite childhood desserts with our grown-up values to create a dessert that’s equally fitting for an everyday weeknight treat or a special occasion. We think you’ll love the salty-sweet-creamy combination in this Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie.

  • Author: Jessica Beacom
  • Prep Time: 45 mins.
  • Total Time: 45 mins.
  • Yield: Serves 10-12 1x
  • Cuisine: Gluten-Free, Egg-Free, Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 6 ounces pretzel twists, crushed (plus a few more for topping; use gluten-free, if needed)
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 ½ quarts Alden’s Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, softened
  • 1 cup strawberry jam**
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate, chopped
  • For topping: Whipped cream, extra pretzel twists, chopped or shaved chocolate

Instructions

  1. To make the crust, place pretzels in a food processor and process until mostly fine with a few textured pieces left. Drizzle in the melted butter and pulse again to combine. 
  2. Pour the crust mixture into a 9-inch glass pie plate or 9-inch Springform pan.  Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of the pie plate (don’t worry if the crust doesn’t go all the way to the top edge of the pie plate). Place the pie plate in the freezer for 10-15 minutes to help the crust firm up a bit. 
  3. Scoop half of the softened ice cream onto the crust into 5-6 mounds and gently press it down with the back of a large spoon or spatula, disrupting the crust as little as possible. 
  4. Spread ¾ of the strawberry jam over the softened ice cream. Sprinkle with ½ of the chopped chocolate.
  5. Top the jam layer with the remaining softened ice cream, again spreading it to the edges of the pie plate or pan with the back of a spoon or a spatula. 
  6. Dot the remaining ¼ cup of jam onto the top of the pie and, using a knife, gently swirl the jam into the ice cream by dragging the tip of the knife through the top 1-inch of ice cream in a swirling pattern. 
  7. Sprinkle the top of the pie with chopped chocolate and place it in the freezer until frozen solid (about 4 hours).
  8. Prior to serving, garnish with whipped cream, pretzel twists, and additional chopped or shaved chocolate, if desired.

Notes

**For a Homemade Strawberry Jam option: 

1 pound (16 ounces) fresh or frozen strawberries + 2 Tbsp. honey

  • If using fresh strawberries, add 2 Tbsp. water along with the honey. 

Place strawberries and honey (and water, if using) into a small saucepan with a lid over medium heat. When the strawberries start to simmer, reduce the heat slightly and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally until the strawberries are completely thawed. Use a fork or potato masher to crush the strawberries and continue cooking, covered, and stirring occasionally until reduced to about half. Pour jam into a shallow heat-proof bowl to cool completely (you can speed this up by placing it in the fridge or freezer for 10-30 minutes and stirring occasionally).

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 360
  • Sugar: 26g
  • Sodium: 60mg
  • Fat: 19g
  • Saturated Fat: 12g
  • Carbohydrates: 41g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 4g

Pin it now, Make it later!

Pin image for Strawberry Pretzel Ice Cream Pie (photo has a slice on a plate)


This post was made possible by our friends at Alden’s Organic. Although we received compensation for this post, the opinions expressed here are – as always – 100% our own. Thank you for supporting the great companies we work with thereby allowing us to continue creating great recipes and content for you.

All photos and content are copyright protected. Please do not use our photos without prior written permission. If you wish to republish this recipe, please rewrite the recipe in your own unique words and link back to the source recipe here on The Real Food Dietitians. Thank you!

Photo Credit: The photos in this blog post were taken by Jess of Plays Well with Butter. 

  • Facebook16
  • Pinterest258
  • Yummly2
  • Email

About Jessica Beacom

Jessica is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist living in Boulder, CO with her hubby and two daughters. She's been described as a 'real food evangelist' and loves sharing her knowledge with others to help them break free of the diet mentality and find their own food freedom. In her spare time she enjoys CrossFit, telemark skiing, mountain biking, teaching herself how to play the banjo and camping out under the stars.

< Previous Post
Next Post >

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

The Real Food Dietitians is the passion-driven product of Registered Dietitian Nutritionists Stacie Hassing and Jessica Beacom. They’ve combined their love of nutrition, health and real food with the concepts of ease and convenience to bring you recipes that are big on flavor but short on ingredients.

Free eBook

Sign up to get your FREE recipe eBook + weekly newsletter!

Favorite Recipes

Sheet Pan Baked Salmon with Vegetables

Shepherd's pie topped with sweet potatoes plated and ready to serve

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

A plate full of baked chicken nuggets with a side of honey mustard sauce

Baked Chicken Nuggets with Honey Mustard Dipping Sauce

Shredded easy salsa verde chicken over cauliflower rice, topped with radishes, avocado, cilantro, and cracked black pepper

Salsa Verde Chicken (Instant Pot or Crockpot)

A parchment covered serving platter piled high with chocolate chip peanut butter oatmeal energy bites

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Balls with Chocolate Chips

Overhead view of easy skillet lasagna in a bowl with a side salad and garlic bread

Easy Skillet Lasagna

Free Recipe eBook

Sign up to get your FREE recipe ebook + weekly newsletter!

Follow us on Facebook! Follow us on Instagram! Follow us on Pinterest! Follow us on Twitter! Follow us on YouTube!
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Let’s Chat!
Copyright © 2021 The Real Food Dietitians Site Credits. Designed by Melissa Rose Design. Developed by Once Coupled.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptReject Read More
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.

How about a free recipe ebook?

Sign up for our newsletter and get your FREE recipe ebook delivered right to your inbox!

We respect your privacy! Your information will *never* be shared, traded or sold to a 3rd party.
  • 16
  • 258
  • 2