Description
Ambrosia Salad is a classic American no-cook dessert salad that blends sweet fruits, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, nuts, and a creamy dressing made from sour cream or whipped cream. This chilled fruit salad offers a delightful combination of textures and flavors, perfect for holiday gatherings or summer potlucks.
Ingredients
Scale
Fruits and Mix-ins
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup canned pineapple chunks, drained
- 1 cup canned mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans or walnuts (optional)
Dressing
- 1 cup sour cream or whipped cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Combine Fruits and Marshmallows: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mini marshmallows, sweetened shredded coconut, drained pineapple chunks, drained mandarin oranges, and halved seedless grapes. If using nuts, gently fold them in to maintain texture.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a separate small bowl, whisk together the sour cream or whipped cream with vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well blended.
- Mix Dressing with Fruit Mixture: Pour the cream mixture over the fruit and marshmallow mixture. Gently fold the ingredients together until everything is evenly coated with the creamy dressing, taking care not to crush the fruit.
- Chill the Salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld and the salad chill properly.
- Serve: Serve the Ambrosia Salad chilled as a refreshing dessert or side dish at your gathering.
Notes
- For a lighter version, substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream to reduce fat content while maintaining creaminess.
- Add maraschino cherries for an extra pop of color and sweetness.
- Chilling the salad overnight enhances the flavor by allowing the ingredients to meld completely.
