A super simple and incredibly easy holiday recipe for cookie salad is perfect for Easter! Cookie salad with fudge stripe cookies are a tasty crunchy and fruity treat that everyone loves. Goes well with holiday ham and Alfredo Twice Baked Potatoes and Homemade Sweet Bread.
This festive cookie salad with mandarin oranges is a holiday staple at our house! I’m pretty sure it’s just a regional thing. But those that don’t know about it, are missing out! Cookie salad is such a fun dish that everyone from grandma to the kids can enjoy it.
Recipe for Cookie Salad
I got this recipe from my husband’s aunt, and it’s always been a huge hit at family dinners. My husband would probably eat it for breakfast if I let him. (I can hear him now… “It has fruit! It’s healthy!” Ha. Nice try.) I like to serve it as a little treat alongside a nice Sunday dinner or for holiday dinners, like Easter or New Year’s. Regardless of when you plan to serve it, I hope you enjoy it- it’s delicious!
What is Cookie Salad?
Cookie salad is a creamy dish that combines vanilla pudding, mandarin oranges, fudge striped cookies, and whipped cream. Popular in Minnesota and North Dakota, it’s a dish mostly served around potlucks and family gatherings. Although cookie salad history is unclear on when it originated, it still feels like it’s been around for a few generations.
Is Cookie Salad a Side Dish or Dessert?
Honestly, it’s a bit of both. My husband’s family refers to it as a salad and I personally see it as more of a dessert. Either way, it’s a tasty recipe that everyone enjoys. Bring it out at your next summer barbecue and watch it disappear just as quickly.
Cookie Salad Ingredients
-1- 3 oz box instant vanilla pudding
-1 cup milk
-1- 20 oz can crushed pineapple, drained well (I like to dump the fruit into a strainer and let it -sit for a good 10 minutes, gently tapping and stirring it occasionally)
-1- 10 oz can mandarin oranges
-1- 8 oz tub of whipped topping
-1/2 package of Keebler Fudge Striped cookies
How to Make Cookie Salad
In a large mixing bowl, whisk the pudding and milk until it’s mostly smooth.
Fold in the whipped topping and then fold in the fruit.
Cover and chill the dish in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours.
Break up cookies into small pieces about the size of a nickel.
Gently stir them into the salad.
Serve.
Holiday Cookie Salad
Ingredients
- 1 3oz box instant vanilla pudding
- 1 cup milk
- 1 20oz can crushed pineapple, drained well
- 1 10oz can mandarin oranges
- 1 8oz tub of whipped topping
- 1/2 pkg Keebler Fudge Striped cookies
Instructions
- Whisk pudding and milk until mostly smooth.
- Fold in whipped topping, then fold in fruit.
- Chill in fridge for at least 3-4 hours.
- Break up cookies into small pieces about the size of a nickel.
- Gently stir into salad. Serve and Enjoy!
Video
Nutrition
Can I Use Oreos?
While true fans of cookie salad will say that you should stick to fudge striped cookies, Oreos can be used. The chocolate and cream flavored cookies taste great in the mix too!
How Long Will Cookie Salad Last?
It can last up to a day or two in the fridge after the cookies have been added, but the longer the cookies are in the mixture, the softer they become. Personally, I think this salad tastes best the first day that it’s made, so I recommend eating it as soon as possible for best tasting results.
Other Fluffy, Creamy, Jello Salad Recipes That You’re Going To Want to Try!
- Orange Cream Fruit Salad
- Cranberry Jello Salad
- Snickers Apple Salad
- Raspberry Vanilla Jello Salad
- Strawberry Pretzel Salad
- Easy Raspberry Jello Salad
- Creamy Orange Fruit Salad
- Creamy Cranberry Salad
- Berry Jello Pretzel Salad
- Peaches and Cream Salad
- Raspberry Ambrosia Salad
- Patriotic Layered Jello Salad
With this delicious cookie salad recipe you won’t want to bring anything else to your next potluck. This simple and tasty treat is a unique dish that everyone will love, and you’ll love how easy it was to make! A super simple and incredibly easy holiday recipe for cookie salad is perfect for Easter! Cookie salad with fudge stripe cookies are a tasty crunchy and fruity treat that everyone loves.
fromcalculustocupcakes says
This is such a unique recipe. It sounds yummy! Thanks for sharing on Foodie Friends Friday.
B Rucks says
A nice twist to this is substituting butermilk for regular milk.
Jessica says
Great idea!
Vickie says
Jessica,
Am I right, you DO NOT drain the oranges or did I miss that step? Thanks for sharing the recipe?
Jessica says
Yes, you do drain the oranges!