Description

Salted Bliss Blackberry Pretzel Fusion is a delightful sweet and salty dessert featuring a buttery pretzel crust topped with a creamy vanilla-cream cheese layer and a luscious blackberry compote. Finished with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt, this American-style dessert offers a perfect balance of flavors and textures, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion.

Ingredients

Crust

2 cups crushed salted pretzels
3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
3 tablespoons granulated sugar

Cream Layer

8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks

Blackberry Topping

2 cups fresh blackberries
1/3 cup blackberry jam or preserves
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup water

Topping

Flaky sea salt, for sprinkling

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Prepare the crust: Preheat the oven to 350°F. In a bowl, mix crushed salted pretzels, melted unsalted butter, and 3 tablespoons granulated sugar until the mixture is evenly coated. Press this firmly into the bottom of a 9×9-inch baking dish to form an even crust. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Make the cream layer: In a large bowl, beat softened cream cheese with 1/2 cup granulated sugar and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped heavy cream until fully combined. Spread this cream cheese mixture evenly over the cooled pretzel crust.
Cook the blackberry topping: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine fresh blackberries, blackberry jam, lemon juice, cornstarch, and water. Stir frequently and cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the mixture thickens and the blackberries soften. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
Assemble the dessert: Spoon the slightly cooled blackberry topping evenly over the cream layer spreading gently. Lightly sprinkle flaky sea salt on top for that perfect sweet and salty finish.
Chill and serve: Refrigerate the assembled dessert for at least 3 hours or until fully set. Slice into squares and serve chilled for best flavor and texture.

Notes

Ensure the pretzel crust is fully cooled before adding the cream layer to prevent melting or mixing of layers.
If fresh blackberries are unavailable, frozen ones can be used; thaw completely and drain any excess liquid before cooking.