Ambrosia Salad

This fun and easy Ambrosia Salad is a delectable combination of fresh whipped cream, sour cream, mini marshmallows, coconut, mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans. The end result is a side dish that is pure heaven and always a hot commodity at potlucks, family reunions, and holiday parties like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Spring and summer are right around the corner, and with them brings lots of bright, fun, and festive side salads. This recipe, Best Broccoli Salad, Tomato Salad, and Carrot Salad are just a few of our favorites.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• This beautifully bright and colorful dessert salad is always a show-stopper, whether on the Christmas or Thanksgiving dinner table or at the office potluck.
• Even with fresh whipped cream, this recipe only takes about 15 minutes of hands-on time, leaving plenty of time for the rest of the meal.
• This classic salad is loved by multiple generations, from the grandparents right down to the little kiddos.

Ingredients Needed

• Whipping cream: I like the taste of real whipped cream in this dish, but in a pinch, Cool Whip works as a good substitute.
• Powdered sugar: also known as confectioners’ sugar
• Mini marshmallows: white or the fun fruity ones
• Coconut: sweetened coconut flakes
• Mandarin oranges: canned; don’t forget to drain them
• Pineapple: canned is best; don’t forget to drain
• Maraschino cherries: pitted and stems removed
• Nuts: chopped pecans or walnuts

How to make Ambrosia Salad

This is the nutshell version; see the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and instructions.

Start by making the whipped cream using a stand mixer or handheld electric mixer. First, chill the bowl and beaters for about 15-20 minutes. Then combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar in the chilled large bowl. Beat on medium-high speed until medium to stiff peaks form.

Add the sour cream, mini marshmallows, coconut, mandarin orange slices, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans. Using a spatula, gently fold the ingredients together. For best results, chill for about 1 hour prior to serving.

Recipe Tips

• Other fresh fruits to consider adding or substituting are grapes, blueberries, peaches, or bananas.
• You can add vanilla Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or cream cheese, but I like the texture of the whipped cream and sour cream.
• For added flavor, toast the pecans. Toast them whole in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until fragrant. As soon as you remove them from the oven, transfer them to a bowl to stop the cooking process. Walnuts and pistachios work well too.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It does not freeze well.

More fruit recipes

Ambrosia Salad Recipe

This colorful and tasty classic Ambrosia Salad is a mixture of whipped cream, sour cream, fruit, marshmallows, nuts, and coconut.  It is always a huge hit at parties and one of the first sides to go.

5 from 26 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: side

Cuisine: Southern

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 468kcal

Author: Beth Pierce

Ingredients

• ¾ cup whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• ½ cup sour cream
• 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
• 1 cup sweetened coconut flakes
• 1 (11 ounce) can mandarin oranges, drained
• 1 (8 ounce) can pineapple tidbit drained
• ½ cup maraschino cherries drained stems removed
• ¾ cup toasted chopped pecans

Instructions

• Chill the bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 15-20 minutes. Combine the whipping cream and powdered sugar in the chilled bowl.  Beat on medium-high speed until medium to stiff peaks form.
• Add the sour cream, mini marshmallows, coconut, mandarin oranges, pineapple, maraschino cherries, and pecans.
• Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the ingredients together.  For best results, chill for 1 hour prior to serving.

Notes

• Other fresh fruits to consider adding or substituting are grapes, blueberries, peaches, or bananas.
• You can add vanilla Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, or cream cheese, but I like the texture of the whipped cream and sour cream.
• For added flavor, toast the pecans. Toast them whole in a single layer on a baking sheet at 350 degrees for 7-8 minutes or until fragrant. As soon as you remove them from the oven, transfer them to a bowl to stop the cooking process. Walnuts and pistachios work well too.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. It does not freeze well.

Nutrition

Calories: 468kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 37g | Saturated Fat: 22g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 315mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 26g | Vitamin A: 637IU | Vitamin C: 16mg | Calcium: 77mg | Iron: 1mg

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