Yield: 24 servings

Mandarin Orange Pretzel Bars

Prep Time 20 minutes
Additional Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 20 minutes

Sweet and salty, this Mandarin Orange Pretzel Bars recipe is the perfect dish to share this summer! You'll love the nutty pecans in the crust of this sweet treat!

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • ¾ cup pecans
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 ½ cups pretzels
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

  • 1 packages (8 ounce each) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 container (8 ounce) whipped topping, thawed

For the topping:

  • 2 boxes (3 ounces each) orange gelatin mix
  • 1 ¾ cup boiling water
  • 2 cans (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained

Instructions

  1. In a large food processor, add pecans and sugar. Add pretzels and pulse several times until you have some crumbs and some broken pieces. Add melted butter and mix with a fork.
  2. Press into the bottom of a deep, 13x9 baking dish. Set aside.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese with sugar until smooth (several minutes). Fold in whipping topping and spread over pecan crust.
  4. In a medium bowl, combine gelatin with boiling water until dissolved. Add in oranges and allow mixture to cool to room temperature (about 15 minutes). Pour over cheesecake filling.
  5. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate over night or at least 8 hours. Slice and enjoy!

Notes

  • Use a deep 13x9 pan. You need room for each layer to stack within the pan. Lasagna pans are best!
  • Don't over pulse the crust. The crust mixture should have some pieces of pecans and pretzels in it; don't process it until it's only crumbs.
  • Dissolve the gelatin mix completely. If the powder doesn’t dissolve all the way into the hot water, you'll have specks of color instead of a pretty, uniform color.
  • Chill overnight. The dessert may set in as little as 4-6 hours, but I recommend making it in advance so the layers can fully set properly and get chilled, at least 8 hours or even better, overnight.
  • See blog post for more recipe tips and tricks.
  • Nutrition Information:

    Yield:

    24

    Serving Size:

    1 slice

    Amount Per Serving: Calories: 154Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 75mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 1gSugar: 14gProtein: 2g

    *Nutrition facts are an estimate and not guaranteed to be accurate. Please see a registered dietitian for special diet advice.

    Did you make this recipe?

    Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Instagram