Ambrosia salad is an easy, creamy fruit dessert that features Cool Whip, pineapple, mandarins, cherries, mini marshmallows, and more! It's a delightfully refreshing dish to bring to your next potluck, family gathering, or party with your friends. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or need a simple dessert to make in a pinch, this fruit salad recipe is sure to be a hit with adults and kids alike!
10-12ozmaraschino cherries(drained, patted dry, halved - reserve some whole cherries for garnish if desired)
1cupmini marshmallows(use multi-colored fruity marshmallows or regular)
1cupsweetened shredded coconut(up to 1½ cups)
½cupchopped walnuts or pecans(optional)
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Instructions
Combine the thawed 8 oz Cool Whip topping and ½ cup sour cream in a large mixing bowl.
Add the drained 11 oz mandarin oranges, 15 oz pineapple tidbits, sliced 10-12 oz maraschino cherries, 1 cup mini marshmallows, 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut, and optional ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans if using. Fold the fruit into the whipped cream mixture.
Cover the bowl with plastic cling film and chill for at least one hour before serving. I prefer to chill the ambrosia at least 4 hours, giving the flavors more time to marry while the fruit salad chills.
Serve with additional coconut (toasted coconut is a nice touch), additional cherries on top, and/or some extra marshmallows if desired.
Notes
For the canned fruits (mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, tidbits, or crushed pineapple), you just need at least 1 cup of each fruit once well drained of liquid.
If your creamy salad is too runny, add a bit more shredded coconut or some more of the crushed nuts to balance out the mixture, then chill before serving.
You can substitute the Cool Whip or sour cream with your favorite dairy-free alternatives if you'd like for this salad to be dairy-free.
If you're not a fan of marshmallows or want a healthier alternative, you can try using Greek yogurt. Keep in mind this will change the texture and taste of the salad.
If you'd like to make this dessert in advance, you can prepare it up to a day in advance. In fact, some people prefer it after it's been allowed to chill and the flavors meld together.
To store: Store your leftover ambrosia salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. However, keep in mind that the texture may slightly change as the fruits release moisture over time. It's best to consume it within the first day or two for the freshest taste and texture.