The Key Ingredients You'll Need To Make Minnesota's Beloved Cookie Salad

Minnesota's beloved cookie salad is a unique and delightful dessert that combines a variety of textures and flavors, making it a favorite at gatherings and potlucks. The base of this salad starts with instant vanilla pudding mix, which provides a creamy and sweet foundation. To this, you add buttermilk, which not only enhances the creaminess but also adds a slight tang that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients. Whipped topping is then folded in to create a light and fluffy texture, giving the salad its signature airy quality. Next, you incorporate canned mandarin oranges, which bring a burst of juicy freshness and a hint of citrus flavor. Crushed pineapple is another essential component, adding sweetness and a tropical note that complements the other ingredients. The star of the salad, however, is the addition of fudge-striped shortbread cookies. These cookies are broken into bite-sized pieces and mixed throughout, providing a delightful crunch and a rich, buttery flavor with hints of chocolate. As the salad sits, the cookies soften slightly, creating a blend of creamy and crunchy textures. This combination of ingredients results in a dessert that is both nostalgic and delicious, capturing the essence of Minnesota comfort food.