Description
Ambrosia Salad is a classic American no-bake dessert featuring a creamy mixture of sour cream, whipped topping, and a medley of sweet fruits including pineapple chunks, mandarin oranges, and maraschino cherries. Enhanced with mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, and optional pecans, this festive salad offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors perfect for holiday gatherings or as a refreshing sweet side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 2 cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whipped topping
- 1 can (20 ounces) pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 can (11 ounces) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Creamy Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and whipped topping. Stir them together until the mixture is smooth and well blended, creating the creamy base for the salad.
- Add the Fruit: Gently fold in the drained pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges to the creamy mixture. Stir carefully to distribute the fruit evenly without breaking them apart.
- Incorporate Remaining Ingredients: Fold in the mini marshmallows, sweetened shredded coconut, maraschino cherries, and chopped pecans if using. Mix all the ingredients until they are evenly coated with the creamy dressing.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 1 hour. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the marshmallows to soften slightly.
- Serve: Give the salad a gentle stir before serving to redistribute any settled ingredients, then serve chilled as a sweet, creamy dessert or festive side dish.
Notes
- Make sure to drain the canned fruit thoroughly to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for the sour cream.
- The salad tastes best after chilling for several hours or overnight, allowing flavors to fully blend.
- Chopped pecans are optional but add a wonderful crunch and nutty flavor.
