Dazzling Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Salad Recipe for Sweet Fans

Sweet summer memories dance on the palate with this delightful strawberry shortcake cookie salad recipe that combines creamy textures and fruity bursts.

Soft cookies nestle alongside fresh, juicy strawberries in a dreamy dessert that breaks all the traditional salad rules.

Buttery shortbread crumbles mingle with luscious whipped cream, creating a decadent treat that feels both indulgent and refreshing.

Each spoonful promises a perfect balance of crunch and smoothness, surprising taste buds with its unexpected charm.

No picnic or potluck is complete without this crowd-pleasing dessert that brings smiles and satisfies sweet tooths.

Lighter than cake but more exciting than a typical fruit salad, this recipe turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary culinary experience.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that defies expectations and delights every single time.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 218 kcal

Servings: 9

Ingredients in Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Salad

• Instant Vanilla Pudding Mix: Creates a silky smooth foundation that binds the salad together with creamy sweetness.
• Buttermilk: Adds tangy richness and helps activate the pudding mix for a perfectly smooth texture.
• Whipped Topping: Lightens the mixture, providing an airy and fluffy consistency that makes the salad irresistibly creamy.

• Fresh Strawberries: Brings vibrant color, juicy sweetness, and a burst of summer flavor to the salad. Choose bright red, firm berries with no soft spots or mold.

• Shortbread Cookies: Introduces a delightful crunch and buttery flavor that complements the creamy base. Select crisp, high-quality cookies for the best taste and texture contrast.

What You’ll Need for Cookie Salad

• Mixing Bowl: Large, sturdy container for combining ingredients smoothly.
• Whisk: Essential for blending pudding mix and buttermilk without lumps.
• Hand-Held Mixer: Optional tool for quick, even mixing of ingredients.
• Cutting Board: Helpful for chopping strawberries and cookies.
• Sharp Knife: Needed for precise strawberry and cookie cutting.
• Spatula: Perfect for folding whipped topping and scraping bowl edges.
• Measuring Cups: Accurate for measuring buttermilk and pudding mix.
• Serving Bowl: Clean dish for chilled cookie salad presentation.

How to Prepare Strawberry Cookie Salad

• Creamy Pudding Base

Start by combining pudding mix and buttermilk in a large mixing bowl. Whisk until the mixture becomes smooth and begins to thicken, creating a rich and velvety foundation for your dessert.

• Whipped Cloud Layer

Gently fold whipped topping into the pudding mixture, creating a light and airy texture that will make each spoonful feel like a delightful cloud of sweetness.

• Fruity Burst

Add fresh strawberries to the creamy mixture, stirring carefully to distribute the vibrant red berries throughout the dessert. The fruit will bring a burst of natural sweetness and color.

• Chilled Perfection

Refrigerate the mixture for at least an hour, allowing the flavors to meld and the dessert to set into a refreshing treat that will cool and delight.

• Cookie Crunch

Just before serving, crush some crisp cookies and sprinkle them on top. The added crunch will provide a delightful contrast to the smooth, creamy base. Garnish with a few extra strawberry slices for a picture-perfect finish.

Topping Ideas & Tips for Cookie Salad

• Swap fresh strawberries with mixed berries like raspberries or blueberries for a vibrant flavor twist.
• Crush additional shortbread or vanilla wafer cookies for extra crunch on top of the dessert.
• Prepare the base mixture up to 24 hours in advance, storing cookies separately to maintain their crisp texture until serving time.
• Use low-fat buttermilk and sugar-free pudding mix to create a lighter version of this sweet treat without compromising delicious taste.

Ways to Present Cookie Salad

• Summer Picnic Perfection: Serve this delightful dessert in small mason jars for a charming, portable treat that's easy to transport and share at outdoor gatherings.
• Cookie Crunch Surprise: Sprinkle extra crushed cookies on top just before serving to add a delicious textural contrast and create an Instagram-worthy presentation.
• Fresh Fruit Accent: Garnish with whole fresh strawberries or mint leaves to elevate the visual appeal and add a burst of natural freshness to the creamy dessert.
• Chilled Dessert Delight: Refrigerate for at least an hour before serving to allow flavors to meld and create a cool, refreshing summer dessert that will impress guests.

Storing Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Salad

• Quick Refrigeration Strategy: Store the cookie salad in an airtight container in the coldest part of your refrigerator to maintain optimal freshness and prevent absorption of other food odors.
• Shelf Life Wisdom: Enjoy this delightful dessert within 1-2 days for the best taste and texture, as the cookies will gradually soften and lose their crunch over time.
• Smart Preparation Tip: Prepare the base mixture ahead of time and add the cookies just before serving to keep them crisp and prevent soggy texture.
• Temperature Control Advice: Keep the strawberry cookie salad consistently chilled below 40°F to ensure food safety and maintain the quality of fresh ingredients.

Sweet Strawberry Shortcake Cookie Salad

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4.8 from 32 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 9 1x

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Description

Summer’s delightful strawberry shortcake cookie salad combines creamy textures with sweet dessert elements. Cool Minnesota potluck magic blends crisp cookies, ripe berries, and whipped cream into one irresistible dish you’ll crave at gatherings.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (332 g) strawberries, diced (reserving some for garnish)
• 1 cup (245 g) buttermilk
• 8 oz (226 g) whipped topping, store-bought or homemade
• 1 package (3.4 oz or 96 g) instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 box (8 oz or 226 g) shortbread cookies, roughly chopped (reserving some for garnish)

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Instructions

1. Pudding Base Preparation: Whisk instant pudding mix and buttermilk until achieving a silky, lump-free consistency, creating a smooth foundation for the dessert.
2. Creamy Integration: Gently fold whipped topping into the pudding mixture, ensuring a light, airy texture that promises a delectable mouthfeel.
3. Fruit Infusion: Carefully incorporate fresh strawberries throughout the creamy base, distributing them evenly to maximize fruity flavor and visual appeal.
4. Chilling and Setting: Refrigerate the mixture for at least 30 minutes, allowing flavors to harmonize and the dessert to develop a perfectly chilled texture.
5. Final Assembly and Garnish: Moments before serving, crumble cookies into the chilled salad, adding a satisfying crunch. Top with additional cookie crumbs and sliced strawberries to elevate both presentation and taste, creating a visually stunning and deliciously textured dessert that promises to delight.

Notes

• Chill for Flavor Fusion: Refrigerating the mixture allows pudding and fruits to blend seamlessly, intensifying the overall taste profile and creating a more harmonious dessert experience.
• Smooth Mixing Matters: Whisking the pudding mix and buttermilk thoroughly prevents lumps, ensuring a silky, creamy base that serves as the perfect foundation for the strawberry shortcake salad.
• Gentle Folding Technique: Use a gentle folding motion when adding whipped topping and strawberries to maintain the light, airy texture and prevent deflating the delicate mixture.
• Last-Minute Crunch: Add cookie crumbles just before serving to preserve their crisp texture, preventing them from becoming soggy and maintaining that delightful contrasting crunch.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 9
• Calories: 218
• Sugar: 14 g
• Sodium: 192 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 31 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 3 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg