Cookie Salad Recipe
Cookie Salad is a delightful and easy-to-make dessert salad that combines instant vanilla pudding, whipped topping, juicy pineapple and mandarin oranges, and crunchy Fudge Stripe cookies. This sweet and creamy treat comes together quickly and is perfect for potlucks, family gatherings, or any occasion that calls for a simple yet delicious dessert.
- Author: Elena
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Salad Base
- 1 package instant vanilla pudding mix (3.4 ounces)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 8 ounces whipped topping
Fruit
- 1 can crushed pineapple (20 ounces), drained
- 1 can mandarin oranges (11 ounces), drained
Cookies
- 12 Fudge Stripe cookies, roughly crushed (reserve a few for garnish)
- Whisk pudding: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and buttermilk until the mixture becomes thick and smooth, ensuring no lumps remain.
- Fold topping: Gently fold in the whipped topping using a spatula until the pudding mixture is well blended and creamy.
- Stir fruit: Carefully stir in the drained crushed pineapple and mandarin oranges, mixing just enough to combine without breaking up the fruit.
- Chill: Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to firm up.
- Add cookies: Right before serving, fold the roughly crushed Fudge Stripe cookies into the salad. Garnish with a few extra cookie pieces on top for added texture and visual appeal.
Notes
- For best results, drain the canned fruit thoroughly to avoid a watery salad.
- Use fresh whipped topping or stabilized whipped cream for optimal texture.
- Allowing the salad to chill helps it thicken and enhances the flavors.
- Chocolate or other flavored cookies can be substituted according to preference, though Fudge Stripe cookies are traditional.
- Serve chilled for a refreshing dessert experience.
Keywords: cookie salad, pudding salad, dessert salad, instant pudding dessert, pineapple salad, mandarin orange salad, Fudge Stripe cookies, no bake dessert