Ambrosia Fruit Salad Recipe

Introduction

Ambrosia Fruit Salad is a classic, refreshing dessert that combines vibrant fruit with creamy, sweet elements. Perfect for potlucks or a light treat, this salad is easy to make and delightfully flavorful.

A bowl with a light blue pattern is filled with a colorful fluffy dessert that has visible chunks of yellow fruit, pink and green marshmallows mixed into a creamy white base, topped with shredded coconut, a bright red cherry, and a small green mint leaf. The bowl sits on a blue woven cloth with small pastel-colored marshmallows scattered around it on a white marbled surface. In the background, a plain white bowl filled with the same dessert and a small scalloped bowl with shredded coconut are slightly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 – 15 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained well
  • 1 – 20 ounce can pineapple tidbits, drained well
  • 1 – 16 ounce jar maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half
  • 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 2 cups fruity miniature marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 1 – 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Gently stir together the mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and miniature marshmallows in a large bowl.
  2. Step 2: Carefully stir in the plain Greek yogurt until the fruit and marshmallows are lightly coated.
  3. Step 3: Add the thawed Cool Whip and gently fold it into the mixture until everything is evenly combined.
  4. Step 4: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2 to 3 hours to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to set.

Tips & Variations

  • For a tangier flavor, substitute sour cream for the Greek yogurt.
  • Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for extra crunch.
  • Swap out the fruity marshmallows for plain ones if preferred.
  • Use fresh fruit such as orange segments and pineapple chunks for a fresher taste.

Storage

Store the Ambrosia Fruit Salad covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Stir gently before serving. This salad is best enjoyed chilled and does not freeze well due to its creamy texture.

How to Serve

A white bowl filled with a fruit salad that has about three layers mixed together: bright orange mandarin slices, red cherries, light green and pink mini marshmallows, and white whipped cream. The salad is topped with two shiny red cherries and fresh green mint leaves in the center. The bowl sits on a blue striped cloth with small white bowls nearby holding pastel-colored mini marshmallows and shredded white coconut. The whole scene is on a white marbled surface with a few marshmallows scattered around. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make Ambrosia Fruit Salad ahead of time?

Yes, it’s best to prepare it a few hours in advance to allow the flavors to blend and the salad to chill properly.

What can I use instead of Cool Whip?

You can use homemade whipped cream or a similar whipped topping as a substitute for Cool Whip.

Print

Ambrosia Fruit Salad Recipe

A classic Ambrosia Fruit Salad combining sweet mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and fruity miniature marshmallows, all mixed with creamy Greek yogurt and Cool Whip for a light, refreshing dessert perfect for any occasion.

  • Author: Daniel
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Category: Salad
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Fruit

  • 115 ounce can mandarin oranges, drained well
  • 120 ounce can pineapple tidbits, drained well
  • 116 ounce jar maraschino cherries, drained and cut in half

Other

  • 1/2 cup shredded sweetened coconut
  • 2 cups fruity miniature marshmallows

Dressings

  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
  • 18 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed

Instructions

  1. Combine Fruits and Mix-ins: Gently stir together the drained mandarin oranges, pineapple tidbits, halved maraschino cherries, shredded coconut, and fruity miniature marshmallows in a large bowl until evenly mixed.
  2. Add Greek Yogurt: Carefully stir in the plain Greek yogurt to the fruit mixture, ensuring it is incorporated without crushing the fruit.
  3. Fold in Cool Whip: Add the thawed Cool Whip to the bowl and gently fold it into the fruit and yogurt mixture until everything is well combined and creamy.
  4. Chill to Set: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for 2 to 3 hours to allow flavors to meld and the salad to set completely before serving.

Notes

  • Drain the canned fruits thoroughly to avoid excess liquid in the salad.
  • Greek yogurt can be substituted with sour cream for a tangier flavor.
  • For a fluffier texture, fold the Cool Whip gently to maintain airiness.
  • Keep the salad refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain freshness.
  • Feel free to add other fruits like sliced bananas or grapes for variation.

Keywords: Ambrosia salad, fruit salad, creamy fruit dessert, marshmallow salad, pineapple salad

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