Ambrosia Salad Recipe
Ambrosia Salad is a slight variation of the classic fruit salad made with marshmallows, canned fruit, maraschino cherries, and whipped cream. It is super easy to make that can be ready to serve in 10 minutes!
This easy recipe can be paired off with Brown Sugar Glazed Salmon, Roasted Asparagus, and Baked Barbecue Chicken for a relaxing dinner with family and friends. Served chilled, it can be so refreshing after a hot, long day!
The Best Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad has all the goodness of the classic fruit salad that is usually served during Thanksgiving dinners but has the added goodness of marshmallows and nuts! It is bursting with flavors and so colorful too! But this is not a “salad” in the traditional sense because it is on the sweet side. So, we love serving this for dessert instead!
With the combination of preserved or fresh pineapple, mandarin orange, sweetened shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries, we only add a little bit of powdered sugar to the cream while whipping it! This easy and delicious recipe will surely be a hit during your parties!
WHAT IS AMBROSIA SALAD?
Ambrosia Salad is a variation of the classic fruit salad. However, the difference is the added miniature marshmallow, sweetened coconut, and nuts. But the ever-present fruits are included. Since all the fruits to be used are preserved, this recipe is super easy to make.
HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD?
Just combine the drained fruits, shredded coconut, nuts, and cream in a single sizable bowl and you are all set! It is best chilled, so you can do this a couple of hours before you need it.
If you want to make the cream from scratch, whip the chilled cream in a mixer until light and fluffy and add powdered sugar and a bit of vanilla extract before adding it with the rest of the ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD WITH COOL WHIP?
We love making it sometimes with a cool whip instead of whipped cream. Just combine all the ingredients with a well-shaken cool whip instead of whipped cream, and you are ready to go!
HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD WITH SOUR CREAM?
Using sour cream in this recipe is a nice option, especially if you run out of whipped cream. Sour cream adds a bit of tang to this dessert so it surprises our family when we serve it to them.
Then, simply replace the whip with the sour cream and mix the ingredients well. It balances out the sweetness of the fruits pretty nicely in this recipe.
HOW MANY CALORIES IN AMBROSIA SALAD?
This salad typically contains about 269 calories per half a cup serving.
HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD WITH CREAM CHEESE?
If you want to add the slightly sweet taste and tang of cream cheese to it, first whip it on low. Then, add your whipped cream gradually to blend and combine with the rest of the ingredients.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATERGATE AND AMBROSIA SALAD?
These two dishes are very similar except for one ingredient. Watergate salad has an additional ingredient in it, which is pistachio pudding.
HOW TO MAKE AMBROSIA SALAD WITH JELL-O?
Use a 3-ounce packet of Jell-O and follow this basic instruction. Dissolve the gelatin in 1 cup of hot water and stir for 2 minutes until dissolved. Add 1 cup of cold water and combine. Refrigerate until firm, for about four hours. Cut the Jell-O into cubes and combine with the rest of the ingredients.
HOW TO MAKE LOW-CALORIE AMBROSIA SALAD?
To reduce some calories we suggest to use light cream or light sour cream in this recipe. Also, yogurt is an option, and fat-free yogurt can be used instead as well.
HOW LONG CAN AMBROSIA SALAD SIT OUT?
Since we use dairy in it, it should be chilled at all times. We suggest serving it on top of a larger bowl filled with ice to maintain its coolness. You should probably change the ice once or twice during the whole party.
RECIPE TIPS AND NOTES
- Drain the preserved fruits in advance to get all the syrup out before mixing the ingredients.
- Do this recipe in advance because it is best served chilled.
- If you have time, make your cream from scratch because it would taste better with whipped cream.
- Also, if you’re having a party, bring out only as much as you need to maintain the temperature of the salad.
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Classic Ambrosia Salad
Ingredients
Cream Ingredients:
- 8 oz Cool Whip
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Salad Ingredients:
- 4-6 cups miniature marshmallows
- 11 oz can mandarin oranges drained
- 20 oz can diced pineapple drained
- 10 oz red maraschino cherries drained
- 10 oz green maraschino cherries drained
- 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
Instructions
- Add all the Cream Ingredients to a large bowl, and whisk with an electric hand mixer for about 1 minute.
- Add all the Salad Ingredients to the bowl with cream and gently fold in, until well coated in cream.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Nutrition
