Ambrosia Salad
A classic Southern dessert salad that's sweet, creamy, and packed with fruit. This no-bake treat combines pineapple, oranges, coconut, and marshmallows in a luscious whipped cream dressing.
For 6 servings
4 steps.
- 1
Step 1
- a.Make the Creamy Dressing
- b.Place a large mixing bowl and the beaters from an electric mixer in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill.
- c.Pour the cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract into the chilled bowl.
- d.Beat with the electric mixer on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes, or until stiff peaks form. Stiff peaks will hold their shape and won't droop when the beaters are lifted.
- e.Add the sour cream to the whipped cream. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold it in until just combined. Avoid overmixing, as this can deflate the cream.
- 2
Step 2
- a.Combine Salad Ingredients
- b.To the bowl with the dressing, add the thoroughly drained pineapple tidbits, drained mandarin oranges, miniature marshmallows, shredded coconut, and toasted pecans.
- c.Gently fold all the ingredients together with the spatula until everything is evenly coated in the creamy dressing. Be careful not to break the mandarin orange segments.
- 3
Step 3
- a.Chill to Meld Flavors
- b.Cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap.
- c.Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. For the best texture and flavor, chill for 4 hours. This allows the marshmallows to soften and the flavors to meld together.
- 4
Step 4
- a.Garnish and Serve
- b.Just before serving, give the salad a gentle stir.
- c.Transfer to a serving dish and garnish with the halved maraschino cherries. Serve cold.
What to keep in mind.
6 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Thoroughly draining the canned fruit is the most critical step to prevent a watery salad. Pat the fruit gently with paper towels if needed.
- 2For a richer flavor, toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until fragrant. Let them cool completely before adding to the salad.
- 3Use full-fat sour cream for the creamiest texture and best flavor.
- 4Chilling your mixing bowl and beaters before whipping the cream helps it achieve stiff peaks faster and maintain its volume.
- 5Ambrosia is best enjoyed within 24 hours of making it. After that, the marshmallows can dissolve and the salad may become watery.
- 6Be very gentle when folding the ingredients, especially the mandarin oranges, to keep them intact.
Adapt it for your goals.
Quick Version
For a faster preparation, substitute the homemade whipped cream and sour cream with an 8-ounce tub of frozen whipped topping (like Cool Whip), thawed.
Fruit AdditionsFruit Additions
Incorporate other fruits like halved seedless grapes, sliced bananas (add just before serving), or canned fruit cocktail (well-drained).
Healthier TwistHealthier Twist
Use plain full-fat Greek yogurt instead of sour cream, and use unsweetened shredded coconut to reduce the overall sugar content.
Nut FreeNut-Free
Simply omit the pecans for a nut-free version of the salad.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Source of Vitamin C
The pineapple and mandarin oranges in the salad provide Vitamin C, an essential antioxidant that helps support a healthy immune system.
Provides Healthy Fats
Pecans are a good source of monounsaturated fats and antioxidants, which are beneficial for heart health when consumed in moderation.
Quick Energy Source
The combination of natural sugars from the fruit and added sugars from other ingredients provides a quick boost of energy.
Frequently asked questions
Ambrosia Salad is best considered a dessert or a special occasion treat. It is high in sugar and fat due to the whipped cream, marshmallows, sweetened coconut, and canned fruits in syrup.