Heavenly Ambrosia Salad Recipe for Sweet Tooth Joy

Summers call for cool, refreshing desserts that sparkle with nostalgic ambrosia salad memories.

This classic potluck favorite combines sweet marshmallows, tropical fruits, and creamy coconut in a delightful symphony of flavors.

Southern gatherings buzz with excitement when this colorful treat arrives at the table.

Soft marshmallows mingle with tangy pineapple and sweet mandarin oranges, creating a dreamy dessert that feels like pure comfort.

Each spoonful delivers a creamy, fruity explosion that transports you to childhood picnics and family celebrations.

Light, sweet, and irresistibly delicious, this ambrosia salad promises to be the star of any summer spread.

Prepare to fall in love with this timeless dessert that never goes out of style.

Why You’ll Love Ambrosia Salad

• Quickest Crowd-Pleaser: Perfect for potlucks and family gatherings, this no-bake dessert comes together in minutes with minimal cooking skills required.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe lets you swap ingredients based on preferences, making it a flexible crowd-pleaser for various dietary needs and tastes.
• Sweet Nostalgic Treat: Brings back memories of classic Southern desserts, offering a comforting and familiar taste that spans generations of food lovers.
• Super Kid-Friendly: Colorful fruits, fluffy marshmallows, and sweet flavors make this an irresistible dessert that children will absolutely adore and eagerly help prepare.

Ingredients for Classic Ambrosia Salad

• Pineapple Chunks: Sweet and juicy tropical fruit.
• Mandarin Oranges, Maraschino Cherries: Bright and colorful fruit additions.

• Sour Cream, Whipped Topping: Smooth and creamy binding ingredient.

• Shredded Coconut, Mini Marshmallows, Nuts (Optional): Soft, sweet, and crunchy mix-ins for extra texture.

Steps to Make Fluffy Ambrosia Salad

Step 1: Prep Colorful Fruits

Drain canned pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges completely.

Pat maraschino cherries dry with paper towels to prevent excess liquid from making the salad watery.

Step 2: Combine Fruity Goodness

In a spacious mixing bowl, tumble together the pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, and bright red maraschino cherries.

Use a soft spatula to gently mix the fruits without crushing them.

Step 3: Add Fluffy Textures

• Shredded coconut
• Mini marshmallows
• Chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)

Fold these ingredients carefully into the fruit mixture.

Step 4: Create Creamy Coating

• Whipped cream
• Cool whip
• Sour cream

Gently fold the creamy element throughout the mixture until every fruit piece gets a luxurious coating.

Step 5: Chill and Blend Flavors

Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.

This resting time allows the marshmallows to soften and the flavors to harmonize beautifully.

Step 6: Final Touch Before Serving

Give the Ambrosia Salad a light stir just before serving to redistribute the ingredients.

Serve directly from the chilled bowl and enjoy the sweet, tropical dessert.

Pro Tips for Better Ambrosia Salad

• Choose between sour cream or whipped topping based on your preference for a richer or lighter texture.
• Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour to let the ingredients meld and marshmallows soften, enhancing the overall taste.
• Add chopped pecans or walnuts for extra crunch and depth of flavor, making the salad more interesting and textured.
• Use well-drained canned fruits to prevent the salad from becoming watery and maintain its creamy consistency.
• Prepare the Ambrosia Salad a day in advance for a convenient and delicious dessert or side dish that saves time and tastes even better after resting.

Storing & Serving Ambrosia Salad Later

• Store leftover Ambrosia Salad in an airtight container to maintain freshness and prevent absorption of other refrigerator odors.
• Consume within 2-3 days for optimal taste and texture, as marshmallows and fruits can lose their quality over time.
• Not recommended due to the creamy base and soft fruit components, which may separate or become watery when thawed.
• Always serve cold directly from the refrigerator to preserve the salad's creamy consistency and prevent ingredient separation.

Perfect Pairings for Ambrosia Salad

• Pair Sweet Sparkling Wines: Select light, bubbly moscato or prosecco that complement the salad's tropical fruit and marshmallow sweetness, enhancing the dessert's refreshing character.
• Serve Creamy Coconut Mocktails: Create a non-alcoholic coconut-based drink with pineapple juice and a hint of maraschino cherry syrup, mirroring the salad's tropical flavor profile.
• Match Tropical Iced Tea: Brew a chilled passion fruit or mango tea with a subtle sweetness that balances the rich, creamy texture of the Ambrosia Salad.
• Blend Citrus Punch: Mix orange juice, mandarin segments, and a splash of grenadine to create a vibrant, fruity beverage that echoes the salad's bright citrus notes.

Ambrosia Salad Twist Ideas

• Low-Sugar Delight: Replace marshmallows with stevia-sweetened marshmallows and use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream for a healthier version with reduced sugar content.
• Tropical Paradise: Swap mandarin oranges with fresh mango chunks and add passion fruit pulp for an exotic Caribbean-inspired flavor profile.
• Dairy-Free Option: Use coconut cream instead of sour cream and choose vegan marshmallows to create a plant-based friendly version suitable for lactose-intolerant individuals.
• Nutty Crunch: Incorporate toasted macadamia nuts or sliced almonds for added texture and a rich, nutty dimension to the classic Ambrosia Salad.

FAQs

• Why is it called Ambrosia Salad?

The name comes from Greek mythology, where ambrosia was the food of the gods, symbolizing a heavenly, delightful treat. This sweet fruit salad earned its divine name due to its incredibly delicious and indulgent combination of ingredients.

• Is Ambrosia Salad a dessert or a side dish?

It’s versatile! Ambrosia Salad can be served as a sweet side dish, a light dessert, or even a refreshing snack. Its creamy texture and fruity flavors make it popular at potlucks, holiday gatherings, and summer parties.

• Can I make Ambrosia Salad ahead of time?

Absolutely! In fact, preparing it in advance is recommended. Refrigerating for at least an hour before serving allows the flavors to blend and the marshmallows to soften, creating a more harmonious and delicious dish.

• Are there any healthy alternatives in this recipe?

You can make it healthier by using Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, choosing low-fat whipped topping, or adding more fresh fruits like berries to increase nutritional value.

Ambrosia Salad Recipe

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4.7 from 30 reviews

• Total Time: 20 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Sweet Southern Ambrosia salad brings a nostalgic blend of marshmallows, coconut, and tropical fruits that delights taste buds. Cool creamy comfort mingles with fruity freshness, offering pure dessert magic for family gatherings and summer celebrations.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Fruits:

• 1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained
• 1 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 cup maraschino cherries, stemmed and halved

Dairy and Sweet Ingredients:

• 1 cup sour cream or whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
• 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
• 1 cup mini marshmallows

Nuts (Optional):

• 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts

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Instructions

1. Drain pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges thoroughly to prevent excess liquid from diluting the salad’s creamy texture.
2. Transfer the drained tropical fruits into a spacious mixing vessel, creating a vibrant foundation for the classic dessert.
3. Incorporate maraschino cherries, distributing them evenly throughout the fruity mixture for bursts of sweet color.
4. Sprinkle shredded coconut over the fruit, ensuring a delicate, tropical layer that adds textural complexity.
5. Gently cascade mini marshmallows across the surface, allowing them to nestle between the fruit pieces.
6. If desired, introduce chopped pecans or walnuts to provide a subtle crunch and nutty undertone.
7. Dollop sour cream or whipped topping into the mixture, using a soft folding motion to coat every ingredient without crushing the delicate components.
8. Carefully blend all elements until each morsel is enrobed in a creamy, luscious embrace.
9. Seal the bowl with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap, then transfer to the refrigerator for a minimum of one hour to allow flavors to harmonize and marshmallows to soften.
10. Just before serving, give the salad a gentle stir to redistribute the ingredients and restore its appetizing appearance.
11. Present the chilled Ambrosia Salad as a refreshing, nostalgic dessert that promises sweet memories with every spoonful.

Notes

• Drain fruits thoroughly to prevent watery consistency and ensure creamy texture.
• Choose full-fat sour cream or whipped topping for richer, more indulgent flavor profile.
• For lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt and use sugar-free marshmallows to reduce calories.
• Experiment with additional tropical fruits like mango or kiwi for unique flavor variations.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: None
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 230
• Sugar: 25g
• Sodium: 70mg
• Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Unsaturated Fat: 1g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 36g
• Fiber: 1g
• Protein: 2g
• Cholesterol: 15mg