Lemon Blackberry Dessert with Pretzel Crust

Lemon Blackberry Dessert

This delicious dessert starts with a simple crust made with pretzels, brown sugar, vanilla, flour, and butter. I just mix it all up in a food processor, press it into a dish, and bake it until it’s golden. From there, I add my easy lemon filling made with lemon pudding, cream cheese, evaporated milk, and frozen lemonade concentrate. Finally, I top it with homemade blackberry sauce and more pretzel crust mixture, and chill the entire thing for at least four hours. It’s an easy recipe that gets me in and out of the kitchen quickly, and the hardest part is just waiting for it to fully chill. It’s the best kind of recipe – easy and delicious!

Why You’ll Love This Lemon Blackberry Dessert Recipe

• The pretzel crust is the perfect base, adding a satisfying crunch to the recipe.
• This refreshing lemon filling perfectly complements the salty pretzel crust and the sweet blackberry topping, creating a delightful burst of flavor in every bite.
• It’s easy to make and is a versatile dessert. Use blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, or a mixture of all the berries for an additional flavor combination.

Lemon Blackberry Pretzel Dessert Ingredients

You’ll find everything you need for this recipe by simply raiding your pantry and fridge. The only thing you might have to shop for is the cream cheese and lemonade concentrate.

Pretzel Crust

• Coarsely crushed pretzels
• Light brown sugar
• All-purpose flour
• Vanilla extract
• Melted butter

Lemon Filling

• Evaporated milk
• Instant lemon pudding and pie filling
• Cream cheese
• Frozen lemonade concentrate

Blackberry Topping

• Fresh blackberries
• granulated sugar
• Lemon juice
• Water
• Cornstarch

The actual measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

How to Make Lemon Blackberry Dessert

With just a few minutes of mixing, a brief 10 minutes in the oven for the crust, and even less time on the stove for the blackberry topping, this is a quick and easy recipe that anyone can make.

Step 1: Prep

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 7×11 baking dish lightly with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 2: Mix the Crust

Using a food processor or large baggie and a rolling pin or mallet, crush the pretzels into small pieces. Then, combine them with the brown sugar, flour, and vanilla in a large mixing bowl. Add the melted butter and stir until fully combined.

Step 3: Bake and Cool

Press the mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, reserving 1 cup for the topping. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove the dish and let the crust cool.

Step 4: Make the Lemon Filling

Combine the evaporated milk and pudding mix in a small mixing bowl and beat on medium speed for 2 minutes. It will be very thick. In a medium bowl, beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy – about 3 minutes. Gradually beat the lemonade concentrate into the cream cheese. Then, gradually beat the cream cheese mixture into the pudding mixture. Spoon the mixture evenly onto the cooled pretzel crust. Cover and chill while making the blackberry topping.

Step 5: Make the Blackberry Topping

Stir 2 cups of the blackberries, sugar, lemon juice, and 3 tablespoons of water together in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat and bring to a boil. Stir while boiling the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes. Then, add the last cup of blackberries and stir. Make a slurry of 4 tablespoons of water with the cornstarch and mix it into the blackberry mixture. Cook until the sauce thickens. Remove the sauce from the heat and let it cool.

Step 6: Top and Chill

Spread the cooled blackberry topping evenly over the lemon filling. Sprinkle the reserved pretzel crust mixture on top of the blackberry topping. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and chill for at least 4 hours. Enjoy!

Recipe Tips

• Stir your pretzel mixture thoroughly to ensure all the ingredients are fully combined. This helps the mixture form a crust as it bakes.
• Press the pretzel mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of your dish. Again, this allows the mixture to form a homogenous crust that won’t break apart when you slice your dessert.
• Fully soften your cream cheese to achieve the most silky texture possible for your lemon filling.
• Be sure to cool your blackberry filling completely before spreading it on top of the lemon filling. Even slightly warm sauce will cause the lemon filling to lose its texture.

Variations

• Use your favorite berries to create different flavor profiles for this dessert.
• If you prefer a sweeter dessert, use a graham cracker crust mix.
• Try folding fresh berries matching your topping into the lemon filling for even more fruity flavor.

What to Serve with Blackberry Lemon Dessert

This dessert is perfect with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee or tea. The bright berry and lemon flavors also make dark chocolate a wonderful pairing with it, as well. You could also serve it alongside something like fruit salad to tie the fruit theme together.

Recipe FAQ

How to Store Leftover Lemon Blackberry Pretzel Dessert

Refrigerate this dessert in an airtight container or covered tightly with foil or plastic wrap for up to 4 days. For longer storage, wrap chilled slices tightly with plastic wrap and freeze them for up to a month in an airtight, freezer-safe container. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy!

Try This Easy Lemon Blackberry Dessert Recipe Today

This lemon blackberry dessert takes a classic berry and lemon flavor combination and kicks it up with a sweet and salty crust to create a dessert that’s full of delicious flavors and textures without a lot of effort, and I think we can all agree that’s a great thing! This recipe is one that I make all summer and fall long, and once you try it, I know you’ll do the same!

More Delicious Dessert Recipes You’ll Love

This Lemon Pretzel Dessert is made with a sweet and salty crust, a sweet cream cheese layer, and is topped with lemon pie filling. An easy and refreshing summer dessert the whole family will enjoy.