Description
Ambrosia Salad is a classic American no-cook dessert salad featuring a creamy blend of sour cream and whipped topping combined with tropical fruits, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, maraschino cherries, and optional pecans. Perfectly chilled, it offers a sweet and refreshing treat ideal for holidays and family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Base
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip)
Fruits and Add-ins
- 1 can (15 oz) mandarin oranges, drained
- 1 can (20 oz) pineapple chunks or tidbits, drained
- 1 ½ cups mini marshmallows
- 1 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 cup maraschino cherries, drained and halved
- ½ cup chopped pecans (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the creamy base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the sour cream and whipped topping. Mix well until smooth to create the creamy foundation for the salad.
- Add the fruits and mix-ins: Gently fold in the drained mandarin oranges, pineapple chunks, mini marshmallows, shredded coconut, maraschino cherries, and chopped pecans if using. Ensure all ingredients are evenly coated without breaking up the fruit.
- Chill the salad: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. This chilling step allows the flavors to blend beautifully and the salad to become perfectly cold and refreshing.
- Serve: After chilling, give the salad a gentle stir and serve cold as a delicious dessert or holiday side dish. Optionally, garnish with extra cherries or a sprinkle of coconut before serving for visual appeal.
Notes
- Drain all canned fruits thoroughly to avoid excess liquid, which can water down the salad.
- Substitute Greek yogurt for sour cream for a lighter variation.
- For extra garnish, add additional maraschino cherries or shredded coconut on top before serving.
