Q1: What exactly is a "Cookie Salad"?

Cookie Salad is a type of "fluff salad," a dessert-style salad that is very popular in the American Midwest. It's not a green salad, but a sweet, creamy concoction typically made with a pudding or whipped topping base, canned fruit, and, in this case, the signature ingredient: cookies! It's usually served as a side dish or a dessert at potlucks and family gatherings.

Q2: Why do you use buttermilk in this recipe? Can I use regular milk?

Using buttermilk is the secret that makes this Cookie Salad recipe stand out! Its natural tanginess perfectly cuts through the sweetness of the pudding, condensed milk, and whipped topping, creating a much more balanced and interesting flavor that is similar to a light cheesecake. You can use regular milk in a pinch, but the final salad will be much sweeter and will be missing that signature tangy flavor.

Q3: Can I add the cookies ahead of time?

It is highly recommended that you do not add the cookies until just before serving. The best part of this salad is the textural contrast between the creamy, fluffy pudding and the crunchy, buttery cookies. If you add the cookies too early, they will absorb moisture from the salad and become soft and soggy.

Q4: What other kinds of cookies can I use in this salad?

Fudge stripe cookies are the classic choice, but you can have fun experimenting! Coarsely crushed Oreo cookies are a very popular variation. You could also use Nutter Butters , shortbread cookies , vanilla wafers , or even animal crackers .

Q5: The recipe only lists 4 ingredients, but the article says 5?

The original recipe provided seems to have a typo, as it's missing the cookie ingredient in the list, even though the dish is called "Cookie Salad" and the instructions in my expanded version include it. This article is based on the classic, well-known version of this recipe, which always includes the cookies. The 5 ingredients for the version I've detailed are: instant vanilla pudding mix, buttermilk, whipped topping, canned fruit (pineapple and oranges), and fudge stripe cookies. The original user recipe was missing the cookies in the ingredient list and had an incomplete set of directions.

The Best Viral Potluck Cookie Salad Recipe

A classic Midwestern dessert salad, this ‘Cookie Salad’ is a sweet, creamy, and fruity confection. The recipe involves creating a fluffy base by mixing instant vanilla pudding with buttermilk and folding in thawed whipped topping. This creamy mixture is then combined with drained pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges. Just before serving, fudge stripe cookies are broken and folded in, providing a delightful crunch and chocolatey flavor.

Author: Evelyn
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes (includes chilling time)
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Bake, Mixing, Chilling
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

2 (3.4 ounce) packages instant vanilla pudding mix
2 cups buttermilk
12 ounces frozen whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained
2 (11 ounce) cans mandarin oranges, drained
½ (11.5 ounce) package fudge stripe cookies

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Instructions

In a large bowl, whisk together the instant vanilla pudding mix and the buttermilk until combined.
Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until the mixture is smooth.
Stir in the drained pineapple chunks and drained mandarin oranges.
Cover the bowl and chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour to allow the pudding to set and the flavors to meld.
Just before serving, gently break the fudge stripe cookies into bite-sized pieces and fold them into the chilled salad.

Notes

This is a very quick, no-cook recipe that relies on canned and pre-made ingredients for convenience.
It is important to drain the canned fruit well to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
For the best texture, fold in the cookies just before serving so they remain crisp.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/6 of recipe
Calories: 600-700
Sugar: 80-95 g
Sodium: 700-900 mg
Fat: 25-30 g
Saturated Fat: 18-24 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 90-110 g
Fiber: 2-3 g
Protein: 6-8 g
Cholesterol: 15-25 mg

Find it online: https://cookupjoy.com/cookie-salad/