Fudge Stripe Cookie Salad with Mandarin Oranges

This cookie salad is one of my favorite summertime desserts. It’s not your typical potluck “salad” but trust me, your guests won’t mind one bit!

Cookie Salad?

Even though this isn’t your typical salad, by definition, it can still be considered a salad. A salad can be any mixture of small pieces of food combined that may or may not be combined with a dressing. Yes, I will admit, it is a stretch. It probably qualifies as more of a dessert, but bringing this as a “salad” to a potluck will make you a rockstar. I don’t think you will get any complaints.

Ingredients for Cookie Salad

Besides some of those delicious Keebler fudge stripe cookies, you only need a few other ingredients to make a yummy cookie salad recipe. This is how we start but keep reading for suggestions to add in!

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix – Make sure it’s instant and not the cook and serve kind.
• Milk – We love using whole milk but you can use a cup buttermilk or regular milk or whatever you have on hand.
• Frozen whipped topping – thaw out a tub of whip cream or Cool Whip before you start assembling the salad.
• Mandarin oranges – drain the juice
• Crushed pineapple – drain the juice on this as well. You can also use pineapple tidbits.

Cookie Salad Dessert Mix Ins

I love the combination of the mandarin oranges and pineapple mixed with the vanilla pudding in this recipe. It really doesn’t need more. But here are some more yummy ingredients you can toss in to the salad:

1. Add sliced banana or 
2. Add mini-marshmallows to the mixture. 
3. Add a splash of lemon juice for a tangy flavor.
4. Try shortbread cookies or crushed Vienna fingers instead of the chocolate cookies.

With buttermilk or without buttermilk?

This seems to be the great debate with Cookie salad. Some love buttermilk others just like plain milk. I actually like it with milk because the buttermilk makes it a little too rich for my liking. Plus I feel like I am saving a few extra calories by sticking with skim milk. Granted, I know it’s not MUCH healthier, but a little healthier nonetheless.

Can this Salad Be Make Ahead of Time?

You can assemble some of the ingredients ahead of time, but do not add the cookies, or they will get soggy. This salad is best made right before you need to serve. You can, of course, chill it in the fridge for a few hours before serving.

Even More Salads

Make even more amazing salads for your next barbecue or family get together by trying some of these recipes (traditional and non-traditional) below.

Salads

Snickers Salad

Side Dishes

Watergate Salad

Side Dishes

Creamy Grape Salad

Salads

Ambrosia Salad

How to Make Cookie Salad