This heavenly Ambrosia Salad is the right dessert for any get-together. A pleasant mixture of fruit, marshmallows, and pecans, it is a basic dish that nobody can be ready to withstand!

Heavenly Ambrosia Salad
Ambrosia Salad is as stunning and dreamy because the title implies! Btw, isn’t the phrase ambrosia stunning? Simply me!?
Named after the meals of the Gods in mythology, it lives as much as its title: ambrosia salad is gentle, refreshing, candy, and creamy, . Plus, these pecans give it an addictive crunch! There’s a motive this straightforward recipe continues to be super-popular, particularly at holidays, child showers, marriage ceremony showers, and for potlucks.
Nonetheless, Ambrosia Salad is simply too good to avoid wasting for the occasional occasion! This can be a recipe that’s fantastic to serve up at Sunday lunch, for a festive weeknight dessert, and even as a “something-different” afternoon snack. And once you see how straightforward it’s to drag collectively, you’ll need to do exactly that.

What Nation Does Ambrosia Salad Come From?
Despite the nod to mythology tradition in its title, ambrosia salad is definitely a reasonably latest recipe, and it comes from the USA. 🇺🇸 Like different candy and creamy fruit salads ( you, Orange Fluff!), ambrosia salad could be very fashionable particularly within the South – nevertheless it’s scrumptious in all 50 states, I promise. I can vouch for Indiana; there’s not a bridal bathe or child bathe that this salad doesn’t seem at.
The Listing of Components
So simply what goes into this divine fruit salad? All you want are a handful of straightforward substances to make this straightforward and splendidly creamy fruit salad mixture.
- Cool Whip: It’s essential to thaw out the cool whip earlier than you utilize it on this recipe, so that you just get a clean combination.
- Bitter Cream: You may also use plain yogurt, however bitter cream tastes higher on this recipe and it’s extra genuine.
- Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract offers the very best taste, however you might additionally go away this out for those who want.
- Fruit: You’ll want canned mandarin oranges, canned pineapple tidbits, and maraschino cherries (yum). Make sure that to empty all the fruit very effectively so your ambrosia doesn’t prove watery. I drain them for about half-hour after which calmly pat dry the fruits with paper towels.
- Coconut: Shredded, sweetened coconut makes this dish “chef’s kiss” excellent.
- Marshmallows: Mini marshmallows are so enjoyable! You should use the plain white ones, or the pastel-tinted ones.
- Pecans: Chopped pecans are optionally available, however extremely advisable for that good textural distinction.
Let’s Make Ambrosia Salad!
Now to make the ambrosia. The method could be very easy – you simply combine every thing collectively. Truthfully, it’s really easy that you just mainly don’t want directions!
- Make the Salad. First, gently combine collectively the cool whip, bitter cream, and vanilla in a big mixing bowl. This would be the creamy fluffy dressing. Subsequent, use a rubber spatula, and fold within the remaining substances.
- Chill. Cowl the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid, and refrigerate the salad for 4 hours, or for greatest outcomes, chill it in a single day. For those who don’t have that a lot time, chill it for not less than an hour earlier than serving.
- Garnish and Serve. Garnish the ambrosia with chopped pecans and stemmed maraschino cherries. Get pleasure from!

Useful Ideas
Listed below are a number of useful suggestions that may aid you to attain success along with your ambrosia salad! And keep in mind, ambrosia is a versatile recipe – you may adapt it to fit your personal dietary wants and preferences.
- Mixing Directions: While you’re mixing your salad, do it gently and watch out to not overdo it. Stirring too exhausting or too lengthy could make the salad mushy.
- Sauce Consistency: If you’d like a thicker dressing, attempt switching the bitter cream for softened cream cheese. This can be a super-rich choice.
- Add the Pecans Final: For an ideal crunch, attempt to reserve the pecans till you’re able to serve. It will hold them from softening up whereas the salad is chilling.

Simple Variations
Ambrosia salad is a basic, however that doesn’t imply you may’t tweak it! Make it with a number of of those straightforward variation concepts, or invent your personal new twist. Bon appetit!
- Fruit Choices: Attempt utilizing grapes, strawberries, and different fruits for a distinct tackle basic ambrosia salad.
- Garnishes: As an alternative of pecans and cherries as a garnish, you might use whipped cream and/or coconut shavings.
- Dairy-Free: A dairy-free model is completely doable! Attempt whipped coconut cream as an alternative of whipped topping, and dairy-free cream cheese as an alternative of bitter cream – or use your different favourite dairy-free substitutions.

Tips on how to Retailer Leftovers
- Leftover ambrosia may be saved within the fridge in an hermetic container, for as much as 3 days.
Can I Freeze A Creamy Fruit Salad?
- You certain can! The one factor is, you shouldn’t thaw it. As an alternative, serve it as a frozen dessert. Thawed ambrosia salad can be watery and grainy.
ENJOY!
Ambrosia Salad
This heavenly Ambrosia Salad is the right dessert for any get-together. A pleasant mixture of fruit, marshmallows, and pecans in a candy creamy dressing.
Components
- 8 ounces (1 small container) Cool Whip, fully thawed
- ½ cup bitter cream, (you may also use yogurt)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, optionally available
- 1 cup shredded sweetened coconut
- 1 can (15 ounces) mandarin oranges, effectively drained
- 1 can (8 ounces) pineapple tidbits, effectively drained
- 1 cup stemless maraschino cherries, effectively drained, plus few extra for garnish
- 1 cup mini marshmallows, plain white or coloured
- ½ cup chopped pecans, optionally available, plus extra for garnish
Directions
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Mix cool whip, bitter cream, and vanilla in a big mixing bowl; whisk till fully integrated.
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Utilizing a rubber spatula, fold within the remaining substances.
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Cowl the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid.
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Refrigerate in a single day.
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Garnish with chopped pecans and stemmed maraschino cherries.
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Serve.
Notes
- Make sure that to empty all the fruit very effectively so the Ambrosia Salad doesn’t prove watery. I like to recommend to empty the fruits in a colander for about half-hour, after which calmly pat dry the fruits with paper towels.
- Refrigerate the salad for 4 hours, or for greatest outcomes, chill it in a single day. For those who don’t have that a lot time, chill it for not less than one hour earlier than serving.
- You should use dairy-free and sugar-free substitutes for the whipped topping and the bitter cream.
Diet Information
Ambrosia Salad
Quantity Per Serving
Energy 188
Energy from Fats 99
% Each day Worth*
Fats 11g17%
Saturated Fats 6g30%
Polyunsaturated Fats 1g
Monounsaturated Fats 3g
Ldl cholesterol 9mg3%
Sodium 24mg1%
Potassium 123mg4%
Carbohydrates 22g7%
Fiber 3g12%
Sugar 17g19%
Protein 2g4%
Vitamin A 130IU3%
Vitamin C 2mg2%
Calcium 49mg5%
Iron 1mg6%
* % Each day Values are primarily based on a 2000 calorie eating regimen.
Dietary information is an estimate and supplied as courtesy. Values could fluctuate based on the substances and instruments used. Please use your most well-liked dietary calculator for extra detailed information.
Key phrases: fruit salad, fruit salad with cool whip, southern recipes